2 Altec A 340A 6550 Tube Studio Grade Vintage Audio Amplifiers Mono Block A340A
Item History & Price
For auction, no reserve two Altec 340A Studio grade 6550 audio amplifiers. I have had these amps in my collection for just under 40 years. At one time I had a pair of Altec Lansing Laguna speakers, and I used these amps to power them. I replaced the capacitors under the amplifier. I did not replace the twist lock filter cans on top, because I like the factory made amplifiers in my collection to be as original as possible. Yesterday I checked out these amps. I brought the AC volta...ges both amplifiers up slowly using my variac. When I hit about 80 volts they both came on, and played great. I ran the voltage up to 110 and listened to them for about 30 minutes. I will continue to bench test these amplifiers while the auction runs this week.
About 20 years ago I purchased a quad of New old stock RCA 6550 tubes for these amps. These NOS tubes have under 2 hours on them, and are as good as output tubes get. These amps offer hook up's on the back for 8 or 16 ohm speakers. Many of the famous Altec Lansing speaker systems back then were 16 ohms. These amplifiers have been basically sitting on a shelf in my office for the past 20 or more years, and have not been used. They are so pretty I just enjoyed looking at them.
One of the power transformers has a small dent in the corner of the top. I took a close up picture of this area so you can see the dent or crease. Some of the original decals have come off and you can see this in the pictures. These amplifiers were sold as mono amplifiers back in the mid 1950's Stereo was not offered at that time, and mono Hi-Fi was the hot thing. Now days we try and pair up these vintage mono amplifiers so we can have stereo. I build my own mono amplifiers, as I like a decitated amplifier for each speaker. It takes more equipment and space to use a dedicated amp for each channel but the rewards are great.
If you plan to use these amplifiers to ad to your classic audio collection you will appreciate that the parts on top are all original as I have. If you plan to use these amplifies as your regular audio system and listen to them on a regular basis you should replace the two filter capacitors on the top of each amplifier. Most audio collectors know that these amplifiers are 60 years old and should be in the hands of people who know and understand vintage tube equipment. The correct filter twist lock cans on top are for sale on eBay and it is not a big job to replace the 60 year old units on top.
When these amplifiers were new Altec gave a 90 day warrantee on them. That warrantee ran out some 59 years ago. No one can tell how long these amplifiers will continue to preform as is. Much like an antique light bulb, the tubes and capacitors may last another 60 years or not. For that reason they are sold as is with no guarantee of how long they will last. No returns, so be sure you really want them before you place your bid.
Today on eBay I am selling two other amplifier systems. These amplifiers I built my self. If you are into listening to the best sounding audio, you will appreciate my hand built amplifiers. Please check them out, and click on see sellers other items.
About 20 years ago I purchased a quad of New old stock RCA 6550 tubes for these amps. These NOS tubes have under 2 hours on them, and are as good as output tubes get. These amps offer hook up's on the back for 8 or 16 ohm speakers. Many of the famous Altec Lansing speaker systems back then were 16 ohms. These amplifiers have been basically sitting on a shelf in my office for the past 20 or more years, and have not been used. They are so pretty I just enjoyed looking at them.
One of the power transformers has a small dent in the corner of the top. I took a close up picture of this area so you can see the dent or crease. Some of the original decals have come off and you can see this in the pictures. These amplifiers were sold as mono amplifiers back in the mid 1950's Stereo was not offered at that time, and mono Hi-Fi was the hot thing. Now days we try and pair up these vintage mono amplifiers so we can have stereo. I build my own mono amplifiers, as I like a decitated amplifier for each speaker. It takes more equipment and space to use a dedicated amp for each channel but the rewards are great.
If you plan to use these amplifiers to ad to your classic audio collection you will appreciate that the parts on top are all original as I have. If you plan to use these amplifies as your regular audio system and listen to them on a regular basis you should replace the two filter capacitors on the top of each amplifier. Most audio collectors know that these amplifiers are 60 years old and should be in the hands of people who know and understand vintage tube equipment. The correct filter twist lock cans on top are for sale on eBay and it is not a big job to replace the 60 year old units on top.
When these amplifiers were new Altec gave a 90 day warrantee on them. That warrantee ran out some 59 years ago. No one can tell how long these amplifiers will continue to preform as is. Much like an antique light bulb, the tubes and capacitors may last another 60 years or not. For that reason they are sold as is with no guarantee of how long they will last. No returns, so be sure you really want them before you place your bid.
Today on eBay I am selling two other amplifier systems. These amplifiers I built my self. If you are into listening to the best sounding audio, you will appreciate my hand built amplifiers. Please check them out, and click on see sellers other items.
