Historical and interestings facts

[micrometer]

Servo Statik I

My Father owned these Infinity speakers in the late 60's. He had four screens (two for each side) and the sub. I was around 15 at the time and of course did not realize how innovative these were until I read some history here. The sound was incredible from what I remember. He eventually returned them. I believe my Mother made him return them because of cost. He later got the the Monitor II A's. He again had four up front, two on each side. The front four Monitor II A's were driven by a 600 W (300 per side) amp but I can't remember any component names. I spent many hours listening to these awesome speakers. He also had a Marantz tube tuner. I remember it because the cover was not included and you could see the tubes light up. He use to purchase his gear from a guy named Walt. He had a Hi-Fi shop in Woodland Hills, CA.

 

[Zenith26kc20]

Infinity SWAMP

Here is my Infinity SWAMP, serial # 00007. This piece is fully functional and brutally powerful. This is my first SWAMP, purchased new in the late '70's. I have five of them, all working. This is the only red face one of the bunch. I had Infinity send me all the service literature years ago (thanks Tim England) so I could repair them. With the "added diodes" they become nearly bulletproof and this one has had the police come to my front door on New Years Eve to see what band was playing in the house! After Katrina passed (I stayed in New Orleans during the hurricane) I left three days later and in my car sat this amp and the matching preamplifier (I know, "nuts")!
Anyway, these amps sound wonderful! I have driven everything from Dayton Wrights to Magneplaners and it has handled all with no problem.
By the way, "Sensible Sound" magazine said these were never produced. If there are any other crazies like me with these amps please let me know!

 

[phaedrus]

Hey Zenith,

Wow, another SWAMP owner! How cool! I have two FET preamps (one red, one blue), and a single SWAMP (blue, serial number 00059).

I there any possibility I could get you to send me a copy of the service literature? I had heard about the "added diodes" mod from Ulrick's site, but I don't have any schematics or other details about what needs to be done to them. I would really appreciate any help you could give me on that.

regards,

David

 

[Vitopanch]

David,
Wow, I was not aware that you have those. Very, very nice. I was promised one by Rick before he left but alas a family member scooped it. Here is a hoping that you get the literature.

Vito

 

[phaedrus]

Vito,

Hey, great to see you! Been missing you around here. Hope everything has been going well for you.

Yeah, I was quite lucky to get these, they are very nice units. Schematics and other literature on them would be extremely helpful to guarantee I can keep them running well into the future.

David

 

[audiomagnate]

Here's all I know about Infinity history. I worked at Nakamichi in the the early 90s and the President of Infinity came to work for us, as President, and he sold me a boatload of 8 inch Infinty 8 inch woofers. I can't remember the guys name unfortunately. Also there's an article in the new Stereophile about the beginnings of Infinity, an interview with Arnie IIRC. He lives in an undisclosed location somewhere here in Colorado, again IIRC ( I read the article in a real magazine at my buddy's house three weeks ago).

 

[analogboy]

Hello Zenith,

A little history and I request
The first pic shows the Infinity FET Preamp, the DSP Amp and the QL-1. I bought all of them in 1976. I still have the invoice unfortunately prices are not there because they took some of my stuff in trade. IIRC, the preamp was about $ 1200 and the amp $ 2000 or $ 2500.
I used them a lot in those times, then 90's there were just sitting there, about 3 year ago back in function and they have been working well until last year when the DSP amp did not have power. I took it to a guy which seems to be pretty good, without any schematics kind make it work again, however, after I pluged in the amp sometimes did not work or I have to do it many time. Well today I was listening to some music, perfect sound, until a noise like something blew out and the DSP is caput now, no power.
Looking for any path to make it work again, I found your very interesting thread.
Zenith is there a way I can get a copy of the schematics and those "added diodes" and what you do with them.
BTW the only label I had the #3 pic from the bottom of the amp marked 00164
I would really appreciate you help and of course if there is any compensation I'll be glad to.

-=terry=-

 

[pauljh]

Is this the “SWAMP” amp? I hope it’s not the output devices. Those must be pretty much unobtainable now.

 

[analogboy]

Is this the “SWAMP” amp? I hope it’s not the output devices. Those must be pretty much unobtainable now.

I wish I would know the difference. I only knew was called the DSP amp. I have never heard of the swamp am :-(. As I said I got the amp and the preamp in 1976. I do have the brochures and papers that came with it, but they are just general info and nothing else. The only label I see is the one on the pic with the number 00164. When I ordered them I had to wait few days waiting for Infinity to shipped them, so most likely they were made around that time.

 

[AnalogMan22]

I sold these new back in the day. The preamp retailed at $1200 and the amp at $2000. The DSP was often referred to as the SWAMP (switching amp), they are one in the same. I purchased the FET preamp in 1976, but passed on the DSP as they were notoriously unreliable. I went with and ARC amp for that reason running it on Quantum 3's. I have a friend who own two SWAMPs that he had worked on by Bascom King before he passed. They parired very well with the FET preamp (still the best preamp I have ever heard). I can reach out to him to see if he can recommend a repair shop if that helps.