[jrebman]

*** Note: sale is on hold until I return the amp to Eddie for repairs.  It seems that indeed the right side mounting brackets of the two output transformers are ben, which is why they are tilted.  I had a friend come over and look tonight and he could seee some slight deformation in the mounting brackets that I couldn't feel very well in such close quarters.  I apologize as this was a completely honest mistake as the amplifier still felt rock solid, the chassis was not deformed at all, and it played perfectly for many hundred hours after getting it back in this condition. ***

I had hoped never to sell this wonderful, one-of-a-kind Vaughn Audio Carina, but I'm about to take delivery of a pair of Fi 2A3 monoblocks and this is the price I have to pay (along with the sale of my Tektron 2A3 in another ad.)

So, what makes this Carina unique?  First of all it is built on a stainless chassis chassis with a custom paint job -- Carinas are usually built on aluminum chassis.  Secondly it has a custom voicing using Mundorf Silver/Gold in Oil coupling caps and a couple of resistor changes.  This is much like voicing 2 -- fast, transparent and detailed, but with just a bit of extra richness of tone that a good oil cap brings.  Then there is the Hazen grid mod (or CCE mod for those familiar with Decware) which allows the use of the Russian 6p15p-ev output tubes in a way that makes them ultra transparent, dynamic, and with an amazing soundstage.  You can still use EL84/6BQ5s but they cannot take advantage of this mod.

Then there is the custom burl maple volume knob, the custom 2-input/one aux send input jack arrangement, the Eichmann cable Pod binding posts, the ERS cloth shielding on the input wires, the Bybees on the power supply, and the Nordost Pulsar Point feet.

The paint job is a Harley-Davidson factory red with extra top coats of clear automotive lacquer.  Gorgeous. (Pics in my Gallery.)

The amp will come with a boat load of tubes (shown with the 6p15p-evs, a TAD GZ-34 rectifier, and a cryoed Russian 6n23p-ev driver tube with a band of Anti Vibration Magic applied).  Too many to list here, but at the very least a fairly new pair of Gold Lion N709/EL84 Reissues, another TAD rectifier, a anos mullard/blackburn (amperex label) GZ-34, a pair of 60s Mullard EL84s, another cryoed, unused 6n23p-ev driver, a pair of unused 6n2p-ev drivers, and a whole assortment of other 6dj8/6922 types that have all recently been tested and all test as NOS or ANOS.  There are other el84s probably -- some singles and maybe eve more pairs, and if somebody wants the ultimate, I have a NOS pair of Mullard/RAF CV-2475s that have never even been out of their box, for an additional $200.

Price for all this is a firm $1600
I tried and tried to find a way to hold on to this amp, but I can't afford to, so some lucky person out there will get a truly unique, sonically and aesthetically stunning amp that's built like a tank and can be passed along to their grandchildren.  I have the original box and packing materials, and I believe I also have a properly sized and rated HiFiTuning Fuse to go along with the amp.

Thanks for looking,

Jim

[jrebman]

Just a note since a few have asked... no, the chassis and or transformer mounts are not bent.  The output transformers and power transformer are all mounted on a slight angle, and the PS choke is mounted with a gap underneath it.  I assume this is either for cooling purposes, to reduce flux conduction into the chassis, or for vibration control, or maybe all three, but whatever the reason, this is entirely on purpose and the way things are supposed to be.

-- Jim

[chadh]

Just a note since a few have asked... no, the chassis and or transformer mounts are not bent.  The output transformers and power transformer are all mounted on a slight angle, and the PS choke is mounted with a gap underneath it.  I assume this is either for cooling purposes, to reduce flux conduction into the chassis, or for vibration control, or maybe all three, but whatever the reason, this is entirely on purpose and the way things are supposed to be.

-- Jim

I thought it must have been because it looked really cool - maybe a little homage to the old Adam West Batman show.

Good luck with the sale, Jim.

Chad

[jrebman]

Bump for price drop and new terms (split shipping in lower 48, and split PP fees.

Been holding off on posting on agon, but will have to do so fairly soon as the new amps are here now.

-- Jim

[jrebman]

Bump for price drop, plus now on agon:

[http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?intatube&1277491574&/Vaughn-Audio-Custom-Carina-w/l[/b]

AC folks still get a $50 break plus shipping and paypal are on me.

-- Jim

[jrebman]

Sale is on hold pending repair of the bent transformer mounting brackets.

Sorry, but I had a friend come over and take a look after seeing the pictures and he saw what I could not feel in such tight quarters.  I'd do the repair myself, but I don't want to muck up the beautiful finish, so I'll send it back to Eddie.

Sorry, but I don't want to misrepresent anything and I want whoever buys this amp to get it in exactly the same condition as a brand new one.  BTW, the chassis itself is fine -- no deformations anywhere.

-- Jim

[jrebman]

Sorry, under the circumstances, I've decided that I can't sell this amp as it is and will either live with it as it is or eventually repair it myself.  Agon ad is cancelled as well.

Now, somebody please buy my Tektron and Cosecant

-- Jim