Link to the Audiogon listing: http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?ampstube&1232547906&itemHere's the writeup:
Niteshade Classic Series BHT Stereo Tube Amplifier. Research and development involves listening to other people, studying past designs, learning exactly how components interact with each other and naturally long days in the lab. I have made a considerable number of amplifiers with a multitude of designs. That means what's on the top changes as well as what's underneath with different models. Engineering involves passion and curiosity- the driving forces behind all of our designs. Our Classic Series BHT is one of the most unique collector's edition amplifiers to reach the shelves. We have only one of these and you're looking at it. BHT stands for Baldwin Hammond Thomas. The circuit design is inherited from Baldwin right down to the components used and the wiring technique. For those of you not familiar with Baldwin, they were a industrial/commercial amplifier company whose hay day was between the 50's and 60's. Baldwin was noted for making 'set it and forget it' style amplifiers. The 'stealth' tube amplifier requires a design of the highest standards possible since they had to run at times 24/7. Transformers were twice the size they needed to be and wiring is based on a minimalist, efficient architecture. Baldwin's ideals mirror our own building philosophy. We made the BHT in tribute to Baldwin. Inside you will find authentic solid core copper tube amplifier wire, new old stock carbon composition resistors, triple power supply filtering and Xicon commercial quality coupling capacitors capable of self healing. The circuit is authentic Baldwin as well. The output transformers are made by Thomas, another highly regarded commercial tube amplifier company from the 50's and 60's. To wrap it up, a large Hammond power transformer is used to tie everything together. We are including the vintage Sylvania 6L6 power tubes, a vintage 5U4 rectifier and two vintage General Electric 12AX7's as well. We built this amplifier on a steel commercial electronics enclosure. It offers great side ventilation, has a baked on powder coat finish and was the perfect size for out project. We went over the powder coat with a semi gloss enamel containing ceramic for a pleasant, subtle black chrome-like sheen. The sonics are exactly what you'd expect from a well planned vintage 6L6 push pull amplifier: Fluid, natural, inspirational, 3D all with a touch of warmth. No part of the spectrum is muddy or unbalanced. There is a wide space between instruments and tones, providing unprecedented resolution and clarity. Everything within a song can be heard, such as hearing a guitar pick sliding on the strings, clothes rustling, background happenings, breathing, etc.. Classical instruments have a life of their own and are reproduced in painstaking detail. There is plenty of power at 20 watts per channel for high impact listening as well. This is the kind of amp that makes it possible for you to close your eyes and forget the speakers are there. The Thomas transformers were factory made for an 8 ohm load only. I have to share with you an important fact: Single tap transformers are higher quality than multi-tap transformers because the windings are more uniform. I learned this directly from a transformer manufacturer and it makes sense. Taps create wire bulges that have to be wound around. You will hear the difference!An optional amplifier: This is a one of a kind, but we can make a BHE (Baldwin Hammond Edcor) to the exact specifications of this amplifier. It will be made with the same internal components and the same power transformer.FREE SHIPPING TO THE LOWER 48!!!!Please ask questions! We're happy to answer them.
