KT88 Console?

[fxer1982]

I kinda doubt the KT-88 as an OEM tube. They were strictly British-made in those days, and expensive.

I can't think of any 1960s 6550-powered consoles, either.

Stromberg Carlson AP-437 I have two mono blocks with original Tung-Sol 6550 3225904 Black Plate no holes 3 total D getters 2 on one side , 1 on top 40 watts normal 100 watts instantaneous the photo below is from there 1959 catalog page, the 1961 catolog has 100 watts instantaneous which is the ones I own...they were found In a Storage Building in Ohio that either was going to be sold or taken down. they never knew they had them they came in original boxes serial number to box matched and still have the boxes...look up Made In Rochester to see all the amps they ever made. download digi to download all schematics and several catalogs to see the consoles that had these amps. I also own the pre amp that also is in the console

Parent company Is General Dynamics who took us to the moon the engineers used many space wire low or no oxogin wires they built there own transformers the output transformers have a separate coil for Neg FB, circuit breakers, 4,8,16 ohm speaker output. if you want I found a great analog repair tech on Audiokarma do the go through so now they will last another 50 yrs. its on youtube "Phils analog basement" look it up and watch him go through them....he is a great perfectionist

 

[gadget73]

The problem is that the powerful output tubes generate a lot of heat. You'd need to carefully design the cabinet to deal with that.

sure, its a toaster, but if its living inside a double-depth coffin like some of those massive consoles are its probably not much of an issue. I'd expect anything that may have gotten such a high power amp to be a big chunk of furniture.

 

[mcgjohn]

Not aware of any that used the KT88s. Back in the day MAC and Marantz were the big power. Most of the console makers were usually much less power output.
Speakers were much more efficient back then. A true 20 watts was considered a lot of power.

 

[Snow]

I will let you all know Wednesday what this console has in it, like yourselves I highly doubt Packard Bell made a console with KT88's but my friend swears when he looked at he schematic that his eyes lit up when he seen KT88's on the schematic.

 

[Lavane]

I would think if there were KT-88 consoles they would have been
"Comander's Consoles". Since officers in the military make the big bucks, those stationed in or visiting Japan would pick out the components they wanted and have a Japanese cabinet maker build a console around them.

 

[Destructor]

I have an old book/guide featuring early stereo and how to set up the equipment. There are also many plans and photos of custom consoles shown with nice equipment from the day. The consoles pictured do not have integral speakers, the speakers are separate but are constructed in such a way that when all lined up it could look like one seamless unit. I could see someone building or having built a custom console stuffed with whatever they wanted, for a price.

 

[Snow]

I would think if there were KT-88 consoles they would have been
"Comander's Consoles". Since officers in the military make the big bucks, those stationed in or visiting Japan would pick out the components they wanted and have a Japanese cabinet maker build a console around them.

This console whatever it is has been in one location since 1961 and there is a high likelihood of the former owner being a Veteran considering we have a higher concentration of vets here then anywhere else in the USA. I have bought literally tons of gear from vets and almost all of it had original boxes and packing which is great.

 

[Lavane]

This console whatever it is has been in one location since 1961 and there is a high likelihood of the former owner being a Veteran considering we have a higher concentration of vets here then anywhere else in the USA. I have bought literally tons of gear from vets and almost all of it had original boxes and packing which is great.

I've lived close to an airforce base for many years. Unfortunately when I got into audio equipment in high school it was in the 70's. All I saw was lots of solid state Pioneer and Sansui equipment bought on base. I did know people that had rube gear but just wasn't that untreated in it at the time.
My parents still had a Packard Bell tube console well into the 70's.
I ruined the first batch of records I ever bought in it.

 

[GordonW]

I once resto-modded a client's vintage console, with a VAC Standard tube preamp and a VAC Standard 105/105 tube power amp, which replaced the original McIntosh C20 preamp and pair of MC30 amps. That definitely was a console with KT88 output tubes, after I got through with it.

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[Snow]

Well unfortunately it turned out to be a EL84/6BQ5 amp set up with tuner and Garrard AT6 TT

 

[Aerobat]

Could be a nice EL84 amp.

 

[Snow]

Could be a nice EL84 amp.

Yes it has 4 EL84/6BQ5's in there.

 

[Dswankey]

Ok I talked to my friend a minute ago he told me it was a Packard Bell console

Packard bell made console amps, dpa30 i think is one, el84 type.

.. unfortunately it turned out to be a EL84/6BQ5 amp

Don't get a EL84/6BQ5 amp wrong, PB, while they didn't make a ton of them say like Magnavox, made some nice little amps.

As @gadget73 mentioned there was the DPA-30 and there was also the DPA-20

Good informative thread here on the 2, along with OEM schematics.

Thread 'Packard Bell DPA30 vs DPA20?'

Mar 26, 2015

whats the diff between a DPA30 and DPA 20 Packead Bell consol amp?
Anybody know?
Thanks.

• ferninando
• Replies: 133
• Forum: Tube Audio

Amplifier DPA30-3 Ampl/Mixer Packard Bell Co.; Los Angeles CA, build |Radiomuseum.org

Amplifier DPA30-3 Ampl/Mixer Packard Bell Co.; Los Angeles CA, build 1965 ??, 6 pictures, 7 tubes, United States of America , schematics, semiconductors

www.radiomuseum.org

Fwiw I had one for a brief spell and after having my tech do his thing it sounded quite nice!!!

 

[gadget73]

As console amps go, both are supposed to be pretty decent. Its a reasonable circuit and the transformers aren't tiny. Better than a sharp stick in the eye, and if the whole console is in good shape and if you're into that, you could just fix it and run it for what it is. The AT6 isn't bad as a changer either, not the finest thing ever made but not difficult to restore and it won't shred records since it can be set to track at an acceptable weight.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Well unfortunately it turned out to be a EL84/6BQ5 amp set up with tuner and Garrard AT6 TT

Have you heard it? Many mid-1960s Fisher consoles ran 6BQ5/EL84 amps. They were quite okay.

 

[analogadict]

The speakers are also worth investigating. There is a large 12" or 15" woofer and an elliptical mid high on each side.

Regards,

 

[rickl]

My guess it will be great. I'm my experience the speakers will be the limiting sound.

I've used my el84 amp for deck parties.

I also have an el84 Sherwood that sounds good.

 

[Lavane]

I like those ve ted chassis Packard Bell used.

 

[Aerobat]

I have a Fisher EL84 amp from a console that sounds excellent.

 

[Snow]

I agree the little EL84 amps sound really nice. I have owned several. I was disappointed that there were not some exotic KT88 amp and preamp in there to show everyone after all the suspense but other then that I am pleased.