LAMPHEAR CUSTOM 20W 6L6 BASED TUBE AMP - Sold
I have too many amps at the moment, so I am putting this interesting little tube one up for sale.
Lamphear Electronics builds good value custom tube amps (see their website, CNY Technologies on Ebay), and this amp was purchased about 9 months ago. Lamphear’s description of this amp and its construction is reproduced below.
Excellent conditionally physically (virtually the same as when purchased), and operationally excellent as well.
Photos can be found at the following links:
http://home.comcast.net/~baileyler/Lamphear_1.JPGhttp://home.comcast.net/~baileyler/Lamphear_2.JPGhttp://home.comcast.net/~baileyler/Lamphear_3.JPGThe tubes are the same as came with the amp – four Sino 6L6GC, one Chinese 5AR4, one GE 12AU7A and one Hammond 12AU7A (Sylvania?). I have put no more than about 100 hours on the tubes and amp since purchased.
The amps can use any 6L6 variety (other than metal), and I have a some other tubes I can provide in a
separate/combined transaction (different 6L6 types, 12AU7s and 5AR4s), even up to a matched set of pristine 1960’s Tung-Sol 6L6WGBs (5881s).
I can provide additional pictures or info on request.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONSPlease note that this item is being sold
“AS IS”; however, I will guarantee against DOA.
Money order/cashiers check/personal check preferred, but all must clear my bank first. I also accept Paypal for convenience (but add 3.1% to the total).
I need the cash, but I might consider trade for the right value. My primary need at this moment is a very accurate (high/mid) but reasonably small footprint pair of speakers (my goal is a pair of Sunfire CRM-2 or CRM-3).
I have other items for sale/trade as well (I will give you a great deal if you buy this with my Hickok 580A tube tester in another listing).
I am willing to ship globally but, outside of the USA and Canada, more stringent payment and shipping conditions apply. In any case, the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges.
Please check my feedback on Audiogon, Videogon and Ebay (ID=baileyler) and buy with confidence.
LAMPHEAR DESCRIPTIONThank you for taking a look at the Lamphear Electronics 20-2 Classic Edition. We started this amplifier by selecting three very special transformers made by General Electric. The power transformer is vertical mount yet is potted similar to those in the sealed rectangular containers. The core was sealed with lacquer and later dipped in a pitch-like substance. This provides double the insulation and superior noise reduction (aka absolutely NO BUZZZZING). Next, the core was wrapped with a heavy copper foil to eliminate EMI made from magnetic eddy waves. I believe this is one of the best power transformers money can buy. Then, you have the two classic output transformers. These are above-average quality as well. You can tell by their extended high frequency response, excellent midrange and well tailored bass.
This amp is set up in triode mode, class A, with a 20 watt per channel output. The output tubes are 6L6 and the drive section is made up of two 12AU7's. Many people like a classic amplifier design so instead of our regular Solid State Diode rectifiers - a 5AR4 was elected for the job. This tube has an indirectly heated cathode and decent power handling capability. It really adds to that classic, warm, clean tone that so many people like. We made the power circuit in this amp very, very clean. The noise floor is below that of many high quality solid-state amps.
This amplifier produces a rich, full tone. It has a sound stage that allows you to forget the speakers even exist. If you like amplifiers that were designed in the 50's and 60's you will love this one. I've listened to Scott LK-72's, Fisher 500C's and several other models from that era. Consider this amp a huge improvement over those, without removing the classic tone. The bass is rich but not harsh, mids are gentle and warm and highs are very alive and not subdued. When you go into the breakup region (turned way up) it sounds like an EL34 breakup - gradual and smooth, not harsh. We tried this amp on several speakers and it works fantastic even with low efficiency models. Our favorite was a pair of 4-way KLH's that are 98db efficient. Pair this amp with those vintage speakers and you'll have a very nice, unique sound system or with your news ones- whatever you like. Musicians will like this amp too- hook it up to your mixing console, bridge the outputs for 50 watts mono- do what you will with it. It will work great with bass, woodwinds, acoustics, the violin, harmonica, etc... including vocals.
Additional features include an auto bias circuit, brushed anodized aluminum heavy faceplate, solid-brass, gold plated RCA inputs and Nickel Plated 5-Ways capable of receiving heavy gage wire. Tube sockets are top-mounted for increased physical stability. The circuit utilizes a true star grounding network for superior noise reduction and amp stability in all kinds of setup conditions. Point-to-point wiring is used throughout the circuit. The amp is completely isolated from the AC mains- you won't get a buzz off of this one.
Lamphear Electronics builds several kinds of amplifiers - from the monsters, like the 120-2 to the more exotic 807 based amplifiers. We build classics, rebuild classics and can make nearly anything you want. Dishwasher Safe isn't an option yet. You know what we can and have built. Cutting corners isn't an option and I think you can tell we take pride in our work. We don't glue down parts, hastily finish a chassis, use circuit boards, spend money on trim that you can't hear, leave out important components or install unnecessary circuits to cover up design flaws. You will receive a complete, functional amp, ready to use. No additional components have to be purchased. You will receive the Sino 6L6's and the pair of Vintage 12AU7's installed plus the new 5AR4. Don't sneeze at the 6L6's! This particular model tube is very high quality and based around the vintage RCA 6L6's. We sold an amp just a while ago with these in them and the customer agreed they are fantastic. The welded-seam plates should be a good indicator no corners were cut in the manufacturing process.
