[ooheadsoo]

AVA Van Alstine Fetvalve 550 E in great condition, famous AVA Hybrid tech, tube warmth with solid state OOMPH.

Serial No. 102301

I can't find any reviews of this particular model, so the following is a review of the HC model.  Once again, it is not this exact model:
http://www.avahifi.com/root/review/fet_valve_550hc_amp_ss.htm

I understand Frank can upgrade this amp to the most current specs, if you so desire.

Willing to ship, but buyer will have to pay for packaging etc and I can only ship on Saturdays.

Really bad economy special price:

$700 obo

I live in 91745.

[ooheadsoo]

I need the money!

Make me an offer!

[avahifi]

There is no such thing as a Fet Valve 550E. Do you mean 550EX or 550EXR?

Regards,

Frank

[martyo]

There is no such thing as a Fet Valve 550E. Do you mean 550EX or 550EXR?

Regards,

Frank

He has it listed on his systems page as an "EX".

[jtwrace]

I'm sure the serial # that's listed to Frank could tell the whole story...model, year.....

[ooheadsoo]

Hey guys, all I know for sure is that the writing on the back of the amplifier says "550E."  There's no sign of fading in the lettering, the condition is excellent.  I paid around $1100 for it around 1 - 1.5 years ago, to the best of my recollection.  This is a wonderful amp but I'm in a pinch and I have to let it go.

[ooheadsoo]

Frank, can you shed any light on the serial number?

I really need to move this piece, and it deserves to go to a good AC member. 

Willing to ship, but buyer will have to pay for packaging etc and I can only ship on Saturdays.

[avahifi]

102301 says that this amplifier was built in October, 2001.

You have confused me further now by describing it as a "500E" in your last post.  Your for sale info says "550E".

In any event there never was a 500E or 550E, there was a 550EX model.  Look at the label closer, maybe a number is worn off.  Of course it is possible this was a typo by us in preparing the label.

Pull the cover, look at the markings on the output devices and let me know what they read.  Also let me know if there is a large regulated power supply board standing vertically in front of the audio boards on the left side. This board has several heat finned regulator transistors on it.  If this board is there, it is an EXR model, if not, it could be a 550EX or just a 550.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[jtwrace]

Post some pics of the outside and inside.  This will be much easier for everyone.

Then Frank can also post how much the upgrade will cost....

[ooheadsoo]

My fault, the lettering reads "550E."  It may have been a typo.  I will get pics of the interior.

[Art_Chicago]

Then Frank can also post how much the upgrade will cost....

 

but... it is nice to have the upgrade option, isn't it?

[gkinberg]

For those of us that are unfamiliar, what are the specs on this amp? Watts/channel? Are the photos of the interior coming?

Thanks, Garth

[ooheadsoo]

I don't have access to the plain vanilla 550EX specs, but here are the Ultra 550EX specs:

250 watts per channel 20 to 20 kHz at less than 0.01% THD. 17" wide, 13" deep, 7" high. Shipping weight 38 pounds.

Pictures are on the way, but I've been down with a bad cold all week long.  Still trying to recover.

[ooheadsoo]

Lucky me, I found Tyson's review of the 550EX!  Right here on AC, of all places.

Full link: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=1792.0

Excerpts:

If I had to capture the sound of this amp in a few words it would be:  utterly transparent, utterly smooth, best bass I have ever heard (impact, control, definition), and (combined with the T7) the only amp that has given me a wide/deep soundstage with pinpoint imaging (I usually get wide or deep or pinpoint, sometimes 2 out of 3 if I'm lucky).

Did I mention that the 550ex is smmooootttthhhhh?  Oh yes.  For the first time I've heard a solid state amp that has the smoothness of a tube amp.  But it doesn't have the romantic sound of many tube amps.  It sounds like a very good solid state amp that simply doesn't have any grain, grit, or glare.  Utterly smooth.  The mids and highs are just right there, not in your face, not laid back.

Did I mention the bass is insanely powerful and controlled?

Please read the review.  I feel really bad for letting this amp go for this price, after reading it myself.  I can't promise it will stay this low forever.  Who knows, if I get a promotion instead of getting laid off...

[rahimlee54]

I am pretty interested in this, Frank how do these pair with the Salk HT2-TLs?

[gkinberg]

How did you determine that this was the EX? Last I read, there was confusion as to what model this amp was.

Thanks, Garth

I don't have access to the plain vanilla 550EX specs, but here are the Ultra 550EX specs:

250 watts per channel 20 to 20 kHz at less than 0.01% THD. 17" wide, 13" deep, 7" high. Shipping weight 38 pounds.

Pictures are on the way, but I've been down with a bad cold all week long.  Still trying to recover.

[ooheadsoo]

I didn't want to get into this...When I bought the amp, for sure I didn't purchase it as a "E."  As Frank has already verified, there is no such thing as an "E" amp, only EX or EXR.  I'm embarrassed to admit this, but when I bought this amp, I originally thought it was an Ultra 550EX because of my excitement of finally finding a 550 (E*) on sale on agon. (To be clear, I believed it was an Ultra 550EX at the time, it is a plain vanilla 550EX.)  My mistake.  No wonder it hadn't been snapped up at the price I paid.    Anyway, my memory is bad and partly because of this model confusion that has always existed in my mind, the precise designation doesn't stick in my head, and so when I posted this description, I just went by the label, since that should be the most accurate descriptor. 

What do you know, the label says "E" ...

Frank has verified for us that the serial number is indeed in a valid format, and if he searches back far enough in his email archives, he would find a couple emails we exchanged about model specifications and how much it would cost to upgrade and what not.  I don't expect him to go out and dig up any ancient emails for me, so all you have is my word, fwiw.  Feel free to PM me about those emails. 

Having now dug those emails up myself, I can now inform you guys with certainty that I purchased this amp circa 12/07.

I WILL take pictures as soon as I get time.

And I will tell you this much, Frank confirmed for me via email back in 12/07 that it was indeed an EX.

[oneinthepipe]

Your amp could be upgraded to an Ultra 550, and the total cost (700.00 + 800.00) would only be 1500.00, which is 900.00 less than a new Ultra 550. 

[JerryM]

Your amp could be upgraded to an Ultra 550, and the total cost (700.00 + 800.00) would only be 1500.00, which is 900.00 less than a new Ultra 550.

Which leaves plenty o' money to tack on a Double upgrade as well. Worst case, a potential upgrader would be a few hundred bucks under the cost of a new Double Ultra 550.

Which would be just about enough to cover the cost of some NOS Telefunken ECC801S valves...     Sweet.

Then again, one could just enjoy one hell of a fine amp, and smile all the way to the bank. 

Great price, ooheadsoo. 

Good luck with the sale,
Jerry

[ooheadsoo]

Sale pending.