WANTED! Radford STA25 - Radford SC-25 Preamplifer

[Wakefield Turntables]

If anyone out there has one I'd love to buy one!

[tannoy man]

Hi Andrew iv got a SC 22 i dont use but it needs to be powered by a Radford power amp, so you should buy one of those first.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Many thanks mate, will keep you in mind when I got the power amp!

[SPS]

i once had a sta15 (mk 3.. i think) to this day it was one of the best' bought' amps i've owned, not heard the 25 though.. you may stuggle finding a good one, and if you do be careful with it, i'm told the circuit boards can crack if dropped... ( must be very well packed if posted)

if you don't find anything.. one of anthonys amps..
or nick gorham may make something that sounds very good too

[Vinyleyes]

If anyone out there has one I'd love to buy one!

You may have looked .. but they do come up on Ebay .. I have seen at least 3 in the last 4 months ,, and they all looked in good repair and the sellers seemed genuine.
Cheers

[Wakefield Turntables]

You may have looked .. but they do come up on Ebay .. I have seen at least 3 in the last 4 months ,, and they all looked in good repair and the sellers seemed genuine.
Cheers

YEP I've been watching eBay and I actually got the amp and the preamp but the seller pulled the auction even though I'd officially "bought" them, I think he expected more money than they were actually worth and what I"bought" wasn't exactly a great example!

[The Black Adder]

I bought mine for £1600 both amp and pre. Not sure but I think I got a good deal there as both were in perfect nick with original box for the pre. Also came with the original documentation and brochure etc.

The NOS Mullard re-valve (Langrax & CVC) cost me £890 on top of which I have to say made the setup sound totally different.

[Vinyleyes]

Joe .. I have an STA 25 ... when you re-valved yours with NOS Mullards could you describe how it sounded different. Presumably it sounded better for spending over 800 quid but could you quantify in sonic terms the benefits .. this info is just if I ever decide to revalve .. :)
Thanks

[spendorman]

My STA25 III sounds great with any valves that are in good order. For outputs I have the choice of NOS Mullard EL34's, GEC KT77 and JJ KT77. Difficult to tell any real difference.

[The Black Adder]

Joe .. I have an STA 25 ... when you re-valved yours with NOS Mullards could you describe how it sounded different. Presumably it sounded better for spending over 800 quid but could you quantify in sonic terms the benefits .. this info is just if I ever decide to revalve .. :)
Thanks

Sure... After a few days I was getting much better bass, speed and a less fuzzy midrange but that could have been because the old valves were either on their way out or because they were a mix of makes. The full Mullard re-valve was after a semi revalve with Harmonix valves.

The Harmonix ones sounded ok but a little flat and restrained almost like the old valves but midrange was fine.

[tannoy man]

Theres an STA 15 on ebay

[tannoy man]

CHEAP
/Radford-STA-25-MK-III-/120724370172?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item1c1bbbb2fc

[spendorman]

CHEAP
/Radford-STA-25-MK-III-/120724370172?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item1c1bbbb2fc

Quite nice, never seen those big mesh covered holes in a STA25 III baseplate. Perhaps not an original plate.

[tannoy man]

I havnt seen one either, I thought it might have been an export model for hotter climates. It looks cool.

[The Black Adder]

Due to unforseen circumstances Rexton is buying mine from me. Hating to see it go but it must... :(

Lovely set up and like rocking horse poo with golden hens teeth in it.

[tannoy man]

I feel for you, I really love mine and would hate to see it go, its only financial hardship thats making me sell my Leak ST 20 (it was made three weeks before i was born) as i feel bonded to it.

[loosend]

I'm sure there was a 15 on the wigwam the other day if any good, a mark 3 supposed to be better than the 25 but less watts of course

[Wakefield Turntables]

YEP! Tis true, Mr. Black Adder has made my dreams come true and I finally get a great Radford Amp! Just getting a few things sorted and then it should be in my lair :eyebrows: Also, as ever, thanks guys for helping me source the Radford stuff and keeping me updated whenever one has come up on fleabay!

[Cosey Man]

has a compete beginner, with valve amps i have been reading loads the past few days , as i am trying to get a good amp , so fare i have come across 3 x radford amps mark 3 , & am really tempted with one on ebay but still thinking about it , long way to come if not well packed .

[Wakefield Turntables]

Jim,

I'm a complete newby to tubes as well, welcome, that makes 2 of us!!:ner:

[tannoy man]

Jim buy one, you will get years of pleasure, and if you ever want to sell it there will be a que round the block, plus it will be worth more than you paid for it
how many pieces of hi fi can you say that about:)

[Cosey Man]

well ,thanks for the encouragement ,i thought long & hard but in the end , with the distance involved with shipping ,i decided i could not chance it, so i did in the end buy a leak 20 stereo, i hope to have it in about week ill post some pics .

cheers
jim

[Wakefield Turntables]

getting my Radford kit tomorrow, cant wait!!

[The Black Adder]

It's all packed up and ready to head north...

Weeps!

But hey, I've bagged an Audio Note OTO PP... :) It will do for now as I've always wanted to try and AN.

[Jonboy]

But hey, I've bagged an Audio Note OTO PP


good amps but the SE sounds better, EL84's always sound nice;)

[The Black Adder]

I'll upgrade to the SE when I change my speakers to more sensitive ones.

[Jonboy]

I'll upgrade to the SE when I change my speakers to more sensitive ones.


Sounds good, Tannoys are a match made in heaven :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Radford arrived home today, a dream come true, now i'm truly grown up I have a valve set-up:rave:

[spendorman]

Radford arrived home today, a dream come true, now i'm truly grown up I have a valve set-up:rave:

Blimey, had my Radford STA25 III for about 35 years and Quad II's longer, but I'm still not grown up.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just excited at getting some new kit! :eyebrows:

[spendorman]

Just excited at getting some new kit! :eyebrows:

Why not!!, they are great amps.

[The Black Adder]

Glad your happy with it matey.

Andy is a great chap fellas btw... :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

(CUE EVIL LAUGH) - I think you need to re-edit your signature now after I liberated you of your radford stuff:lol:

[The Black Adder]

lol... LOOK AT MY WOD!

[spendorman]

(CUE EVIL LAUGH) - I think you need to re-edit your signature now after I liberated you of your radford stuff:lol:

Radford, please

Some respect for Arthur