• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Van Alstine

S

Scuba steve

New Member
I just received a Van Alstine Model one preamplifier and matching model two power amp. They are both in mint condition. I got an offer to trade for a McIntosh 2100? I know nothing about McIntosh equipment. Is $1000 to high for the Van Alstine units? Would this be a good trade?
 

Attachments

  • P_20180607_130903_vHDR_Auto.jpg
    P_20180607_130903_vHDR_Auto.jpg
    43.2 KB · Views: 152
  • P_20180607_130830_vHDR_Auto.jpg
    P_20180607_130830_vHDR_Auto.jpg
    51.4 KB · Views: 152
Last edited by a moderator:
Register to hide this ad
To me the Van Alstine is on par with the Mac, but different sound. I would keep the units and send them to Van Alstine for upgrades. Down the road if you need to sell, the Mac will be easier.
 
Those two Van Alstine units are pretty old, late 1970s to early 1980s if I'm not mistaken. If you call AVA you might just get Frank on the phone! It might not be possible to update those units. They are so rare that it could be hard to know the value of the early Van Alstine units; the McIntosh is much more common and you can find market values easily. Frank is an AK advertiser. Nice that those two units are in such good condition for their age.
 
I live in Woodbury MN and apparently he lives here also. I sent him an email via his website and haven't heard Jack squat. From what I've read on other forums he got screwed over by his business partner/partners when these were being made. He didn't own over 50% of the company and really had no say in what was happening so he basically said screw them and became combative and unhelpful. When his contract expired he sold his shares and started his current business. I also read something I believe he wrote stating that he'd like to see all of these go away or be destroyed so he wouldnever be asked about them again. IMO he doesn't want to give anyone any information on them or fix them. For him I'm guessing it would be like making out with your ex-wife.
 
Just heard from the other party. Apparently he was able to talk to Frank. He said the Model 2 was junk and that when it broke he wouldn't be able to find parts for it. I'm going to call B.S. Anyone ever had one that broke? Just looking for first hand accounts.
 
Last edited:
I have received great support from Frank at AVA on an early tube/mosfet hybrid preamp from around 1990. I just emailed him, and sometimes it takes a couple days for him to get back. Maybe there’s some bad blood with those models, but give him some time. I love my AVA preamp.
 
I love my amp and preamp as well and they are in excellent shape. What irritates me is that fact that Frank is basically saying these are worthless to everyone he talks to. I may at some point want to sell my setup. I don't think anyone here would argue the fact that the Model 2 amplifier could easily be fix/modified if it ever broke down. The fact is they're a solid unit and you'd be hard pressed to find one with a catastrophic failure. He just wants to push his new stuff, which is ok, just service the old stuff too!
 
I don't recall telling anyone that VA Systems stuff was junk. Actually the Model 1 preamp and Model 2 power amp were excellent performers in their day and were reliable.

The issue is that the company is long dissolved and out of business and when I left the company i never received the schematics, or service and parts manuals for the products and thus cannot cost effectively repair them.

Frank Van Alstine
 
Was the Model 1 the preamp where everything was buried in epoxy? If so, a nice unit but impossible to service if any of the buried components are the cause.
 
avahifi said:
I don't recall telling anyone that VA Systems stuff was junk. Actually the Model 1 preamp and Model 2 power amp were excellent performers in their day and were reliable.

The issue is that the company is long dissolved and out of business and when I left the company i never received the schematics, or service and parts manuals for the products and thus cannot cost effectively repair them.

Frank Van Alstine
Click to expand...
That's one way to cut through third party BS. Kudos!
 
Looks like trading for the MC2100 might just be a good idea. On the upside of it, I never heard anyone complain about the Mac amps.

BillWojo
 
Mac stuff that I’ve worked on have been REALLY easy to service and sounded great. I’d go for the trade.
 
captouch said:
Mac stuff that I’ve worked on have been REALLY easy to service and sounded great. I’d go for the trade.
Click to expand...
The general run of the older Mac look fairly easy to deal with, tuners notwithstanding. The later stuff is the reason authorised service centers exist.
 
avahifi said:
I don't recall telling anyone that VA Systems stuff was junk. Actually the Model 1 preamp and Model 2 power amp were excellent performers in their day and were reliable.

The issue is that the company is long dissolved and out of business and when I left the company i never received the schematics, or service and parts manuals for the products and thus cannot cost effectively repair them.

Frank Van Alstine
Click to expand...
Hi everybody, I leave in France and found a model Two Van Alstine power amplifier. Noway to know though if it is a 110 or 220 unit, no informations available, have no idea of voltages to expect, if I use a Variac to power it on. Any help . I attached a photo of the Transformer cabling
Thank you
George
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    62.5 KB · Views: 15
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom