| Price: |
$1,250.00 |
| Days/Views: |
1836 / 7908 (Posted 2019-04-10) |
| Condition: |
8/10 Very Good |
|
|
For some testimony on these Ampex 6973 monoblocks go to the following link and scroll way down where a reader describes how these vintage (1950s) amps bested Manley Neo Retros.
Here's the link: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Vintage.html
These monos are some of the finest vintage amps ever made and it's, probably, due to the sound of the 6973 output tube and the quality of the custom wound Triad output trannies (only for the monos, not for the stereo 6973 version). These amps came from very expensive consoles that cost more than a car in 1958 - 61, ranging from $1600 to $3500. There was also a version with EL34, but people who compared both preferred the 6973. From a personal point of view, I've had and upgraded a dozen of various vintage amps, and none of them came close to the sound of these 6973's. The amps have potentiometers (to the left of the RCA connector) for volume controls and can be used without pre-amps.
Depending on the condition, upgrades and fashion of the day these amps sell for $600 to $1500 (the last number seen only once or twice). I just saw one on Ebay sold for $780 with noticeable rust and no indication of working condition. I bought mine way back for around $600, perhaps, a decade ago and did the following upgrades:
1. The three way electrolytic capacitor was disconnected but kept on the chassis, and three modern electrolytics from Mouser were soldered inside. (A side note: some huge PIO capacitors in a separate box were tried, but didn't improve on the Mousers).
2. A new RCA connector replaced the old one.
3. A new fuse box replaced the old one.
4. Russian K40Y PIO capacitors were used in critical places, and Russian SSG-1 silver mica capacitors replaced the old coupling capacitors - see brown square caps on the photos.
5. A 100 mf capacitor was soldered into the disconnected center tap of the output transformer which resulted in total elimination of a typical vintage/tube amp hum - the amp is completely silent.
On the tube front all the tubes were replaced. The existing output tubes were replaced with Tungsram 6973 - I have a few of them extra that could be supplied at extra cost and I have a few RCA 6973s, and the Tungsrams are preferable - they sound more vibrant. The NOS 6973s are averaging $50 per tube.
The rectifiers are new. The 12AU7 drivers were replaced with Tungsrams e80cc ($40/pair). The gain section EF86 (or GE 6267 made in Germany) was replaced with Valvo's E80F - gold pinned with 10k hours of service, at $50/pair. Every replacement resulted in noticed improvement. The old non-output tubes would be included in the sale. The amp's schematic will be included too.
As you can see the cost of the upgraded parts and the new tubes, including the output tubes, is in the neighborhood of $400 to $500 or so, which doesn't even include the labor and which brings us logically to the asking price of $1250.00.
The actual shipping cost will come extra unless the sale will include additional output tubes. If using Paypal, payment should include 3% unless it's from PP balance.
I've sold a half dozen vintage amps on AA a while back, and, though not everybody bothered with leaving a feedback, those that did gave me all the stars they could.
|
| Payment and Shipping |
| Pay By: |
Personal Check after it clears, Paypal |
| Ships From: |
60202 (Evanston, IL) |
| Ships To: |
USA Only |
| Shippers/Payer: |
(none specified) / Paid by: Buyer |
| Shipping Notes: |
(none)
|
|
|
|
|
