[TenTec] amp/tuner advice needed...

[w4tje]

hello Gary,
i'm using a centaur w/the orion. it works like a champ. i just replaced the 
811's with 572b's tonight, and the plate and grid current dropped quite a 
bit, as expected. i am also using a 238b in-line as well. currently running 
the centaur at 110, but plan to switch it this wkend to 220v. it runs fb at 
110, but i just hv always preferred 220 for amps.
the only thing that i can say negative abt the centaur is that the fan is 
loud, even compared to the titan. i hv been told that the centurion is vry 
quiet, but i hv no firsthand experience with the centurion. on cw, no 
problem, because i run w/earphones on. on ssb, stations hv told me they can 
hear the centaur fan in the bkground.
i read this week of a modification to replace and quiet the fan. i may try 
it sometime.
also, some others hv mentioned that the toggle switches on the front panel 
are prone to failure and replacement. so far, mine seem to be holding up.
on mine, the output meter is not accurate. i use the meter on the 238-b to 
measure output.
speaking of the 238-b, cosmetically it is vry nice looking beside the 
orion. but when i got it, i cudn't believe hw little it weighed. it really 
is a lightweight. but i also use a palster at4k, and while the palster is a 
real heavyweight, i like how my 238-b seems to hv a broader tuning range. 
for instance, on the 238-b, i can roam around a broader portion of the 
band, compared to my palstar.
my only criticism of the 238-b is i'm not particularly fond of the meter. 
it does all it is supposed to, but i wish it had a dual forward/reflected 
meter. but i can't complain, because i knew the about the meter when i 
bought it.
at the hamfest last wkend, there was a centurion on display. from a 
cosmetic standpoint, it sure is nice looking, a perfect match for the 
orion. i wud love to hv one, but i'm happy wid/the centaur.
u didn't ask, but there was also a titan 3 on display. it was so big, it 
was intimidating. if i ever considered the titan 3, i think i wud need to 
invest in at least a heavier desk for the shack, and possibly a new and 
stronger foundation for my home. it's a beautiful monster.
73 de jack w4tje


At 05:57 PM 10/1/2004 -0700, you wrote:
>I'm considering a medium size amp--500-600w output--to team up with my 
>Orion.  I would like to maintain QSK since I operate CW the vast majority 
>of the time.  Should I be looking for a used Centaur or an older 
>Centurion.  I'm not fond of blower noise at all and while the Centaur 
>sounds like the right amp, I've read that the noise level is 
>considerable.  And what about tuners--Is there any difference between the 
>238, 238A and 238B than cosmetics?
>
>Have folks had good luck with the MFJ nee Ameritron amps in this output range.
>
>Sure appreciate your thoughts and advice.  The only amp I've used--and it 
>was a long time ago- was a Hammarlund and had a pair of 572B's.
>
>Gary
>
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