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Up front, I apologize for the long post.
While volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity Restore in Fort Wayne, IN, I stumbled across a couple pieces of audio equipment in one of the electronics recycling bins. (I'm a big audio enthusiast but not an expert in much of anything, let alone vintage gear). But when I looked in the bin, the 2 pieces in there seemed interesting so I bought them from the store for $2.
In exchange for my $2, I got a Philips High Fidelity Laboratoies 22AH673/44 tuner and a 22AH572/44 pre-amp. After I looked them up, I realized that they were built by Magnavox in my hometown of Fort Wayne. I even ended up meeting the guy (still alive). However, try as I might, I cannot locate the matching amp. I have seen one for sale on eBay but it is the silver version. I would love to get the missing amp to complete an all vintage setup but I have no idea where else to look. Since that is the case, I am also considering selling these after 2 years of unseuccessful searching. Any clues gents? Or should I give up and sell the goods?
Kerry
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... and then the prices got pretty high compared to say, 10 years ago,, and there haven't been a lot up on ebay since.
From what I know from the receivers, they're on my life list, but their rarity means that a seller who correlates their quality (very high) to price for a scuffed, scratched piece (also very high lately) has kept me from buying a set. I REALLY like the black, but would gladly take a clean silver set.
My set was black and I think I would have liked to have seen the silver. The 3 pieces each had a slight different hue to the black anodizing not dissimilar to what I have seen on Leica M cameras that were finished in black chrome. Enough so that it was noticeable Nd distracting form the overall appearance as a group.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada
When you say you met the guy, what guy? If he has some info as to the series either from the Magnavox era or Philips I would like to contact his as K tried to get some history about the project and series.
For a number of hears I had the complete and they were on of the more outstanding full systems from any manufacturer. The tuner is highly sought after and the most common of the 3 units. The preamp and amp are rare. If you locate one of the amp's do not worry if silver or black faced, just get it. It is a great sounding, well actually it has no sound, amp. The preamp with the touch sensitive switches and light map was a bit over the top when it came out and I never did figure out the reasoning for the map other tuner putting some glitz in an otherwise unused space. They would have done better with a couple of vu meters, I think. The tuner is like #6 on the TICKET shootout list. The preamp seems to get no notice while the amp just a bit more likely because the resale per watt is low rather. If the pair said Marantz or some other label likely they would fetch 4x+ the price.
The amp kicks button. I had mine mated to my Bozak Symphonies and it was the best Mp I ever mated to them including McIntosh, Audio Research, Krell, Cary and others. It seemed to take total control of those woofers perfectly. When I downsized, my first list included all my big gear but the Philips. It only went later when I had sold off all other power amps and dedicated preamps.
I still have 3 of the receivers from the series and they have survived sweeps as I sell off my receivers. The smallest is absolutely safe from sale as my new system objective will require small size and power.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada
Hey Don, I just re-read the message you left about this gear a couple years back. That time has come again where I am considering listing the pre-amp and tuner for sale. I still have not run across the matching amp for sale anywhere, although my search has been less robust of late. I don't suppose in these past few years you've found a new source or anything? By the way, I noticed the J.D. after your name. I am one too. Let me know if you ever need a favor across the border. I once had an attorney in Toronto do me a solid years ago.
Kerry
Thanks Don. Sorry I guess I was typing too fast to make that post legible. The "guy" I was referring to is the guy that designed the pre-amp and tuner at Magnavox here in Fort Wayne. I will need to look up his contact info and name but I have it somewhere. I will post that as soon as I can find it. It may be in an older computer but I have faith that it can be found. Thanks for the other info too. Totally agree.
Kerry
Hi Guys,
Sorry to dust off this old topic. As a Philips collector I have been interested in vintage audio for years and years. Based in the Netherlands, I mainly see European devices, developed for local market. One of the exceptions, though, are the High fidelity Lab Series, consisting of the AH572 preamp, AH673 tuner and AND578 power amp. Recently I have come in contact with Earl Wrapp, who developed the AH578 power amp for Philips (Magnavox) in Fort Wayne. The man has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding the design of the amplifier. He also told me the preamp AH572 was developed by Don McConnell and the tuner AH673 was designed by Joe Nicolosi. I have tried to get in touch with either gentlemen but haven't succeeded yet. I don't even know whether they're still alive. Mr Rapp has reached the age of 89 recently so his collegues must be somewhere araound that age.
@Kidomaha, I would be very interested in the contact info of your "guy" if you ever recovered it. I am currently writing an article about these devices, based on my repair experiences and I would love to add some background info about the designers.
If anyone has information, pictures or anything regarding the Philips/Magnavox facility in Fort Wayne, I would really love to hear about it. Here in the Netherlands, the USA Philips is regarded as a far away part of the company and not a lot of info is available.
Best regards,
Thomas
www.mfbfreaks.com
Thomas:
I just now, for the first time, read your post. I'm sorry it took me almost 2 years to get to it! I was never able to locate the contact info for the gentleman I met from Magnavox. At any rate, I would be more than happy to do what I could to assist you if it is not far too late to do so. I'm not sure what sort of presence Magnavox still has here, but it certainly isn't what it once was, along with most manufacturing jobs that once existed here. That said, I'm sure I can dig up plenty of background info on the company or at least put you in touch with the right folks who can supply you with the information you are seeking. I'll try to check back here, but feel free to contact me at kerry_legal@outlook.com.
Kerry
Google and wait it out. They come up but not too often.
charles
Pics?
........I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes... until the main course.
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