Lafayette LA-234?

[singebkdrft]

Hi Everyone,

I was helping my father clean out his basement, and I found a Lafayette LA-234, and it's in working condition.

Anyone know what the specs on this amp are? My dad evidently packed it up 30 years ago when he moved, but forgot about it; he thinks it's in the 20-30 watt range, but can't remember. I have no idea what tubes this uses, but it looks like output tubes are 4 vintage NEC tubes.

Thanks,
--Tom

 

[loomis]

I own an LA-224 and it's great. Post pictures of your 234. I've never seen a 234 before. Stereo? Mine's maybe 10 watts x2.

Here's the 224

http://home.neo.rr.com/bughead/lafayette2.jpg

 

[singebkdrft]

Here are 2 quick photos of the exterior I took

I'll try to post more when I get home from work...

 

[loomis]

That looks just like the later version 224. Take the cover off and pull out one of the 4 identical tubes. Are they marked 6gw8 or ecl86? What about the tube manufacturer?

 

[singebkdrft]

LA-234 naked.

The output tubes are marked NEC 7189A, the socket is marked 7189.

 

[loomis]

Ahh neato. Those I believe are the same as EL84 tubes. I've never seen one of these before.

People used to laugh at some of these Japanese Lafayette amps. However, in the past year I've seen a couple restored units getting near the $300 range, so if I were you I would restore the unit.

You will need to clean it up, add a new cord and switch, replace every capacitor, and get the tubes checked out. Those tubes aren't expensive.

Neat unit. Definately worth restoring.

If yours has two capacitors going across the bottom of the power transformer from hot to ground, remove them.

 

[Tube57]

 

[Tube57]

Here are a few more pictures of one I just found on Facebook Marketplace.
Too much money: 250 bucks with some JBL 301 Series 2
Just for more amp information

 

[Spinning45s]

Here's what Google's AI states, (for what it's worth):

The Lafayette LA-234 is a vintage vacuum tube stereo integrated amplifier manufactured by Lafayette Radio Electronics Corporation. [1, 2]

Technical Specifications

• • Power Output:
    • RMS / Continuous Power: 66 Watts total (33 Watts per channel)
    • Music Power / IHF rating: Up to ~104–104+ Watts depending on measurement [1]
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (± 1 dB) [1]
  • Power Bandwidth: 20,000 Hz to 35,000 Hz [1]
  • Harmonic Distortion: 1% or less at rated output (approx. 0.07% at 1 watt) [1]
  • Channel Separation: 65 dB at 1 kHz [1]
  • Hum and Noise:
    • High Level: -75 dB
    • Low Level: -60 dB [1]
  • Input Sensitivity:
    • Phono (Magnetic): 4.5 mV
    • Phono (Ceramic): 135 mV
    • Tuner / Tape Monitor / Source: 500 mV
    • Auxiliary (Aux): 250 mV [1]
  • Output Impedance: 4 ohms and 8 ohms, plus an 8-ohm headphone jack [1]
  • Tube / Valve Complement (Typical variant):
    • Output Tubes: 7189 (or compatible EL84 / 6BQ5 types)
    • Preamp / Driver stages: 12AX7 and related dual-triode / pentode configurations [1, 2, 3]
  • Controls & Features: Master Volume Control, separate/ganged tone and balance adjustments, multiple source selectors (Phono Mag, Phono Cer, Tuner, Aux, Tape). Discussions and community archives can be found on forums like AudioKarma. [1, 2, 3]

If you are working on restoring or troubleshooting this unit, let me know if you need help with tube rolling options, capacitor replacement lists, or schematic details.

 

[Tube57]

Hi Everyone,

I was helping my father clean out his basement, and I found a Lafayette LA-234, and it's in working condition.

Anyone know what the specs on this amp are? My dad evidently packed it up 30 years ago when he moved, but forgot about it; he thinks it's in the 20-30 watt range, but can't remember. I have no idea what tubes this uses, but it looks like the output tubes are 4 vintage NEC tubes.

Thanks,
--Tom

Looking for tube placement 4 El84 in back and but the preamp and heater tube placement. Can't read the Chassis.
Any drawings would be great and best filter Capacitors.
Thanks Tube57

 

[Buck Rogers]

One of the finest sounding amps Ever~!

I've owned over a dozen of them, Lafayette and Olson branded.

Superb output transformers.

 

[Tube57]

One of the he finest sounding amps Ever~!

I've owned over a dozen of them, Lafayette and Olson branded.

Superb output transformers.

I know the front has the A12x7 but the 6NA8 i think is what it is is in a strange place.
The tubes that was in it are old can't tell what they are and can't read the chassis stamp.
I just wanted to make sure of tube locations.

 

[Tom Bavis]

6AN8s and 12AX7s are easy to tell apart - 12AX7 has two identical elements inside, 6AN8 has one larger. Tube layout is strange - doesn't make sense to me.

It wasn't covered in Sams Photofacts (if it were, I'd scan it). Manualman.com (operated by an ex-Lafayette employee) has copies for $8.25. Typically the op manuals included a schematic, I'd ask before buying.