In a message dated 10/23/2006 10:41:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
unclebudd@bellsouth.net writes:
I joined this reflector because I am considering picking up a project
Amplifier in the near future. The idea is to teach myself amplifiers. I have
only
owned one amp in the past, a SB-220 which worked well and I never had the
covers off. What I am looking for is advice on which amps NOT TO BUY. I know
enough not to consider anything with Sweep Tubes or any of the CB amps
without tuned output circuitry but beyond that I am clueless. Not having a
vast
knowledge of problems to avoid, I am afraid someone will pawn off an unfixable
amp on me. So considering all that, which amp do I run from?
Thanks,
Clint - W5CPT
Clint, there are some good amps out there that by all "practical" purposes
are good amps, but IMHO I would stay away from. Examples: The Dentron
MLA-2500 is a good amp, but the 8875 tubes are like "hens teeth" to find, blow
one,
and your looking at some nice money to get a good one. They don't make them
anymore. So for that reason I would stay away. Some of the amps that use 572
tubes are good amps (like the SB-200 and some others), but I am not fond of
them as the tubes are run pretty much to their max, not much head room. Most
of the amps using them do not make legal limit power usually about 1/2 that
or less, same goes for 811 tube amps. The tubes are plentiful and cheap, but
you just don't get the big power form them and hey, if you want power Why
not go all the way? Personally I like legal limit amplifiers with some head
room. You will pay quite a bit more for one, but a good one used correctly
will last a long time and give you the maximum power with least problems. I
prefer amps with one or two tubes the most, anymore and the going gets ruff in
many ways. My choice of amplifier is usually Ameritron's specifically the
AL-1200 or the Al-1500. You can find a used one of either variety for about
1400-1800 dollars. That's my 2 cents worth. Good Luck 73 Lou
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