[TenTec] Centaur AMP

[Michael Melland]

Paul wrote:


> about the noise and how Tentec will correct this.  My question is did they??

Hi Paul,

The purchase of an amp can be very confusing.....there are so many choices.

Noise fix ?  No..... I have a new Centaur and it's still pretty noisy.  (I had
an early one before and it's about the same noise level) However, the noise is
not objectionable to me.  However, if you don't use phones for cw I think it
might bother you if you're noise sensitive.  I love everything else about the
amp...... runs very cool, the full break-in works great when interfaced with my
Omni V, and I can get 500-600 watts out with no problem.  The amp tunes pretty
easily and the 811's are cheap if you make mistakes <grin>.  I looked at the
Ameritron too.... IMHO the Centaur is a much better designed/built amp with
better components - and it has full break-in.   I've seen that 572b replacement
of 811's suggestion on the Svetlana site too...... but having owned and retubed
a 572b amp before I think that it's too much cost for too little if any real
advantage.... 572b's are much more expensive than 811's too.

For what it's worth I really like my Centaur.  I have had nothing but excellent
service from Ten-Tec service and the gear performs as advertised or better.  I
couldn't justify the additional cost of a "bigger" amp...... nor do I need one.
I work barefoot most of the time and qrp very often.  Before you spend $$$$$$ on
a big PA sit down and think about why, when and how often you "really" are going
to use it.  I could justify $750 for the Centaur for my occasional use much
easier then the $2,000 or so for a larger PA.

73 de Mike Melland, W9WIS




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