|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
24.117.206.83
Has anyone noticed mono integrated tube amps have gone up all of a sudden? It's hard to even find one in good shape for under $300. I remember a coupla years ago you coundn't give them away. Are people all of a sudden interested in mono playback?
Follow Ups:
$300. could still get you a nice pair of vintage tube amps on epay. You have to know which items sound good, or at least have good potential. Do not only think within the usual brand name box. There are literally tons of bargains if you know what to look to get.
Integrated amps, with phono stages and variable switchable Phono EQ are tough to source; especially if you expect two at a time. The Fisher 51, 510 and similar are standout models that still only get $150. each. They made 6V6 and 6BQ5 integrated models. Speaking of Fisher, their console 1959-1961 stereo preamp/binaural tuner/stereo amps are still sleepers. The amps need the preamp/tuner to get the voltages right; so sellers cannot fool the buyers if they sound distorted. It is not hard to decipher; just some research pays off. Buy the EL84 stereo amps without tubes for $200. The preamp tuner can be had for under $150. even with tubes. Not dual mono; but good sounders for much better than entry level sound.
Pilot and Sherwood int. monos are not quite at $300. each; if you buy them as is. If you need restored examples, you will pay; but it is silly to buy them as restored singles. If you have to buy one at "full price" then buy the match later in sad or original shape. Even a novice can copy from the good one; right ? Then again, why buy the name brands at a premium ?
Console amps and preamps are the way to go. Every brand made hifi consoles or hifi record player "boxes" that can be had for $100. to $150. While you can't expect the highest highs or lowest lows from the cheaper models, remembering even the Fishers & Pilots et al suffer from this fact, "off-brands" abound. Admiral, Allied, Capehart, Columbia, Espey, Farnsworth, GE, Hoffman, Knight, Lafayette, Madison Fielding, Magnavox, Midwest, Motorola, RCA, Sears, Silvertone, Sparton, Truetone, Victor of Japan, V-M Voice of Music, Webcor, Westinghouse, Zenith and oh so many more are out there. Frequency response wise, some of these mentioned brands had models that are seriously high fidelity worthy.
Perhaps the cheapest way in to the tube amp world is a pair of monos or a stereo amp with SE 6V6 or 6BQ5 tubes. Even the many stereo PP 6V6 amps and 6BQ5 amps can still be had for under $200. if needing some resto. I recently spotted some working stereo tube amps on epay for $150. Go get 'em...
What's your opinion on the Eico HF20? It was my first good piece of gear back in 1955. I had it until around 1970; by which time it was heavily modified and was just a basic power amp.
Jerry
Over the past ten years I have collected a number of mono integated amps and kept the very best pairs for stero play. All but one are 6V6 or EL84 amps.
I've still one Pilotone 6L6 on my list to make a pair.
I bet that's why one occasionally sees a high price on mono gear: you have two bidders each looking to make a pair out of a single unit. I know I am actively looking to match up a couple of mono amps I have.
I am not sure about mono playback making a comeback, but two monoblocks are desirable for stereo. Another factor is supply. The more rare, the more the product demands in the market place.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: