Value of some unusual tube amps?

[LexDM3]

I bought a set of Altec 604E's from a nice young couple who are dealing with a tough situation. Her Dad was a big tube audio collector but he died very suddenly last fall. They need to move a fair amount of equipment along and I'm trying to help them with this. They do not have much information on the status of each of these units so that makes it tougher.

I may or may not buy some of the pieces from them but am not sure I'm up for that. I'll be looking at the collection on Thursday. Either way, they and I would like some help on valuation of some of these pieces.

1) A pair of Webster Electric 23626 monoblocks. I believe these are 90W organ amps that Webster made for Allen. They look nice and have all tubes but are untested.

2) Stromberg-Carlson ASE-6 stereo preamp with manual. Untested. Not sure if this has tubes or not. I might want this for myself. As far as I know, the SC AB-60 amp that matches this is not with it.

3) Audio Research CL-60 Stereo power amp. I believe this is a hybrid FET-Tube amp. Untested but looks nice and I believe it is complete. It's a big beast.

4) Conn stereo organ amp apparently converted to HiFi use. The owner said the model number is EL266 or maybe E1266 but I can't find either one of these. It looks to be the same as this amp. All tubes there and looks good but untested.

5) MapleTree Ultra 4A SE preamp with power supply. Both look good but are untested. It looks like it has a MM phono preamp.

6) WAEL High Fidelity tube power amp. It is complete and looks to have 4 EL34 or similar outputs and two tube rectifiers. Untested. It could be the same as this amp.

7) Bogen-Presto DS22 stereo power amp. Looks complete but is untested.

8) Dynaco PAS, probably unrestored. Not sure which PAS version it is. Will check this week.

9) Pilot 200 free-standing FM multiplexer. This is untested and was Pilot's top MPX unit in 1962.

Thanks for any guidance and wisdom you may have on any of these.

 

[markshan]

I read #1 as "Western Electric" about a half dozen times before I realized. I was seeing dollar signs for you.

 

[thomo57]

I read #1 as "Western Electric" about a half dozen times before I realized. I was seeing dollar signs for you.

I did to.
After reading your post l had to go back and have another look.

 

[Sam Cogley]

The Stromberg-Carlson ASE-6 is a tube preamp, but it's powered by umbilicals from the amplifier. To use it as a stand-alone preamp would require building a power supply. S-C also sold them as an integrated amp, with a single base plate and the power supply connections internalized. For use as a stand-alone preamplifier, the Dynaco would probably be an easier project, as it has its own power supply and a large amount of aftermarket support in the form of restoration and modification products.

The ASE-6 is probably going to be of the greatest interest to someone who has the amp and wants the factory front end, or someone who has both pieces but the ASE-6 is damaged.

 

[hammr7]

Webster originally made 90 watt amps for PA applications. They produced a modified version for the first Allen 90 watt amps. The primary difference, and possibly the only difference, was the Allen-specified output transformers, which were supposedly higher quality with an extended musical range.

Unrestored, the Webster - Allen version run $350 for a single, and typically above $800 for a pair. A really nice restored pair with desirable power tubes can sometimes go for over $1,200 on Ebay.

Unrestored, the Webster PA versions run about $200 for a single, and $500 for a pair. They sell for a bit less if the seller is clueless about their similarity to the Allen versons. I have never seen a sold pair of these modded for hi-fi applications, as they seem rarer than the Allen version.

The above prices are flexible depending upon cosmetics and upon the pressence and functionality of the power tubes.

 

[RossW]

Definitely some high value stuff there. The Audio Research CL-60 is a standout in my mind.

Pay close attention to condition. If all the gear is clean and appears well cared for the odds of it being in working condition are much higher than if it is in a dusty stack. Also, condition has a huge impact on value. Electronics are (relatively) easy, cosmetic repairs can be difficult or impossible.

 

[soundmotor]

They need to move a fair amount of equipment along and I'm trying to help them with this.

Do they want it to go quickly or do they want top dollar? I'd determine that first.

If it was me I would count on it needing restoration and sell as is @ ~1/3-1/2.5 top ebay completed sales.

 

[hammr7]

I believe the Webster in ? Uses 2a3 power tubes. I have a unrestored pair to get to some day.

Not a chance. I've yet to see a 2A3 amp pushing 90 watts. And I don't remember any 2A3 Allen amp. I think there was a Webster 2A3 amp that was built for Hammond back in the 30's or 40's.

As I stated above, Webster made a 90 watt PA amp, using 6550 power tubes. I have a pair that came from the old Cinncinnati Reds Crosley Field PA system. Allen began buying that Webster amp in the early to mid 1950s as its most powerful organ amp offering. Allen wanted a better musical sound and a greater frequency range (apparntly to better accomodate percussive "clicks") and by 1957 had Webster change the amplifier's OT. Soon after, the amplifiers became private labelled as "Allen", and soon after that production was brought completely in-house by Allen. I also have a pair of the in-house Allen 90's.

If the amp says Webster and say 23626 it is either the old PA amps or the first iteration of Webster's Allen amplifier. It may or may not have the improved OT. Still a workhorse and still very usable, but maybe not quite as valuable

 

[LexDM3]

Thanks to all of you for some very helpful information. A couple of you are interested in specific pieces and I'll keep you in mind as this goes forward. It may be that these pieces wind up in my hands or I may just help the sellers come up with a strategy and contacts to sell them themselves. I should have a better sense of that on Friday.

On the Webster amps, does anyone know what the part number of the better OT is?

 

[gadget73]

I don't know a Bogen DS-22, but they did make a DS-225. I own one, and its quite a nice little amplifier. Stereo, 25 watts per channel, uses 7355 output tubes if thats the one it actually is. They aren't real common it seems. Depending on condition, maybe $150-200 if unrestored but otherwise OK. 7355 tubes are not super common, so keep that in mind.

The Pilot 200 is probably worth around a C-note. I have the slightly more basic model, the 100. Same MPX circuit but the 200 has automatic mono/stereo switching. Frankly I'm not bowled over by mine. It works OK and all, but the Fisher ones sound better. Nice to have if you're going for an all Pilot setup, which is why I own one.

 

[hammr7]

On the Webster amps, does anyone know what the part number of the better OT is?

If you can get me a picture I can let you know. My Allens are currently boxed up for moving, but if I come across the boxes I'll get the OT info for you.

 

[hammr7]

I found my "Allen" 90's but can't give you a number on the OT. Weirdly, Allen had both numbers and schematics on both the Power Transformer and the Choke (both from Saratoga Transformer, so apparently post Acrosound but to Acrosound specs). These transformers are potted silver color. The OT, which is much bigger than either the PT or choke, is also potted but in a brass colored cover. It has no printed information at all.

I remember my "Webster PA" 90's having the same specification PT and Choke, but the transformers weren't potted. The OT on the original Webster, and on the earliest Webster-Allen amp wasn't potted either. If I can find mine I'll check for any model number or other printed information.

So, If your iron is all potted and / or made by either Acrosound or Saratoga, chances are the amps are the later Webster-Allen with the better OT. If all three are not potted, chances are you have the original Webster, or possibly the first Webster-Allen 90.