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Starter tube amp recommendation- simple, small, affordable?

I can't remember his name but there is a guy in Italy who refurbishes Maggies. He also does some nice woodworking for them too. I think his name is [S]@renaud[/S]

EDIT: Whoops it is @Raul who is in Italy
 
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For a long time I know there has been a Carad pre and power amp for sale on eBay for about 500 Euro that has apparently been serviced and revised. But I was always hesitant to go for such a blind punt (no chance to try before buy and would need to be sent in the post). Seems like a tricky mission!
 
ldatlof said:
I can't remember his name but there is a guy in Italy who refurbishes Maggies. He also does some nice woodworking for them too. I think his name is [S]@renaud[/S]

EDIT: Whoops it is @Raul who is in Italy
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I've known Raul for years. I don't believe that Raul works on amps for other people and I'm sure that he has a highly skilled friend who is a woodworker do that part. Jon, you should definitely contact him, though. He has bought numerous vintage American amps using eBay and can give you some excellent advice. I think he also has at least one Chinese amp. So send him a private message.

I don't think your budget would limit you to the Chinese amps but you will have to shop around for deals on amps that tend to be less expensive than the premium brands. Magnavox is great if you want to go the console pull route. I always suggest the Voice of Music component style amps (1428 and 1448) and actually the VM console pulls are also excellent and can often be found a bit cheaper than the Magnavox.

I have some concerns about many of the Chinese offerings but I don't have any direct experience so . . . Lot's of people like them but I'd suggest that you do a LOT of research before you buy if you decide to go that route. There are lots of threads on here about ChiFi.
 
FlaCharlie said:
I've known Raul for years. I don't believe that Raul works on amps for other people and I'm sure that he has a highly skilled friend who is a woodworker do that part. Jon, you should definitely contact him, though. He has bought numerous vintage American amps using eBay and can give you some excellent advice. I think he also has at least one Chinese amp. So send him a private message.

I don't think your budget would limit you to the Chinese amps but you will have to shop around for deals on amps that tend to be less expensive than the premium brands. Magnavox is great if you want to go the console pull route. I always suggest the Voice of Music component style amps (1428 and 1448) and actually the VM console pulls are also excellent and can often be found a bit cheaper than the Magnavox.

I have some concerns about many of the Chinese offerings but I don't have any direct experience so . . . Lot's of people like them but I'd suggest that you do a LOT of research before you buy if you decide to go that route. There are lots of threads on here about ChiFi.
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Thank you, that's really helpful! I had kind of figured that the best bet might be a good quality, rebuilt 60's amp from an unknown manufacturer.. Do you have an opinion on this one- seems good and price is right..
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Etapa-de-po...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Thanks again!
Jon
 
Sure looks like a Magnavox type of amp from a console as the output transformers look like that along with the laid down PS transformer. But, a lot of people end up wanting to up grade the output transformers as those were low cost amps back in the day.
 
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Jon_Bawn said:
Thank you, that's really helpful! I had kind of figured that the best bet might be a good quality, rebuilt 60's amp from an unknown manufacturer.. Do you have an opinion on this one- seems good and price is right..
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Etapa-de-potencia-a-válvulas-PP-EL84-Push-Pul-EL84-stereo-tube-power-amplifier/323351235005?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Thanks again!
Jon
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It looks to be in good shape but I'm not familiar with the brand since it's European. According to the description, it started life as an integrated amp and the controls were removed to turn it into a power amp only. If the brand has a good reputation and the price is reasonable compared to other similar options, then it looks OK.
 
This looks like a European console pull, and appears to have been competently remodelled. If you ask the seller for a photo from below, under the hood, we should be able to say if it's been rebuilt as claimed. Also ask if he has a schematic, showing where it came from originally at least.
 
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