montesquieu
30-08-2011, 15:17
I bought this while my pre-power were in for work, and it's coming available at the end of this week.
It's an absolute stunner from the mid-90s, by a collaboration by Antony Michaelson (clarinettist who later founded Musical Fidelity) and the legendary Tim de Paravicini (designer of some of the classic Luxman amps who went on to found EAR Yoshino).
It uses eight power tubes - four EL34s each side in push-pull - so will drive speakers most valve amps won't look at (it's rated 40w but those are beefy valve watts) but manages that with a degree of subtlety that's hard to fathom.
This one is in near-mint nick having had only occasional use throughout its life - the finish is perfect. The grilles can be removed to expose the valves if you prefer the look. It does get quite hot but not unbearably so, and there is a small amount of mechanical transformer noise if you listen up close (not audible from my listening chair). It's been wonderful with my Tannoys - so much so my wife is wondering why I need £4k's worth of pre-power gear! - and I suspect would be the perfect partner for the harder to drive quads such as 63s, 989s or 2905s as well as LS3/5s. Full set of EH EL34s look little used. I doubt there is a better example out there of this classic amp.
Looking for £550. 120v versions go for $2000 - it's not just a stonker of an amp, it's also quite collectible (especially in this condition) so a total bargain. Collection only from near Reading in Berkshire.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os2.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os3.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os4.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os5.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os7.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os8.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os9.jpg
It's an absolute stunner from the mid-90s, by a collaboration by Antony Michaelson (clarinettist who later founded Musical Fidelity) and the legendary Tim de Paravicini (designer of some of the classic Luxman amps who went on to found EAR Yoshino).
It uses eight power tubes - four EL34s each side in push-pull - so will drive speakers most valve amps won't look at (it's rated 40w but those are beefy valve watts) but manages that with a degree of subtlety that's hard to fathom.
This one is in near-mint nick having had only occasional use throughout its life - the finish is perfect. The grilles can be removed to expose the valves if you prefer the look. It does get quite hot but not unbearably so, and there is a small amount of mechanical transformer noise if you listen up close (not audible from my listening chair). It's been wonderful with my Tannoys - so much so my wife is wondering why I need £4k's worth of pre-power gear! - and I suspect would be the perfect partner for the harder to drive quads such as 63s, 989s or 2905s as well as LS3/5s. Full set of EH EL34s look little used. I doubt there is a better example out there of this classic amp.
Looking for £550. 120v versions go for $2000 - it's not just a stonker of an amp, it's also quite collectible (especially in this condition) so a total bargain. Collection only from near Reading in Berkshire.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os2.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os3.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os4.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os1.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os5.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os7.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os8.jpg
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/os9.jpg