yolakim
06-02-2021, 14:04
https://i.imgur.com/Hxapc6b.jpg
I bought this only last January from Wegamus on AoS and it was an improvement on the STA15 I had at the time, so decided to keep it. During the first lockdown, I sent it down to David Coe (AD Audio) and he serviced and renovated the amp, including:
New valve runners (from Radford Revival) and valve sockets
New RCA sockets
New Audio Note speaker binding posts
New mains switch
New cathode bypass capacitors
Silver mica capacitor upgrade
Rewiring all the valve sockets
Mills cathode resistor upgrade
https://i.imgur.com/5vak2JV.jpg
I'm not going to pretend to understand the technical aspects of everything he did, but the amp came back looking and sounding fabulous - a big improvement, like a veil had been lifted from the presentation. It still hums a bit in my room, but my STA15 did too and I believe Radfords do this to some degree - if this is likely to bother you (i.e. you sit right next to your equipment when listening) then this is probably not the power amp for you.
https://i.imgur.com/tyzlvYv.jpg
The amp came with 4 x Genalex Gold Lion KT77 reissues which sound great, but I bought some Amperex branded XF4 (Mullard) EL34s (at nearly £300) that I preferred (thanks Barry for the recommendation). It currently has Telefunken EF86 and ECF82 valves installed, but will also come with used pairs of Tesla EF86, Svetlana EF86 and what look to be Bugle Boy ECF82 valves, though I don't know how many hours these have on them. All these will be supplied with the amp so you can tube roll to your heart's content! It also has a 2A Synergistic Research SR-20 fuse fitted.
https://i.imgur.com/55iFmSe.jpg?1
The service cost >£500 and the tubes £300, so I am asking £2,000 for this - no offers please.
I travel within the midlands a little, so delivery might be an option or a socially-distanced meet somewhere (I'm based just south of Coventry). I have a slightly tatty, but strong box that I used to send this for the service, so shipping is possible and will be around £40 with UPS, but will be at any buyer's risk. You can obviously arrange your own courier if you prefer. I will remove all valves, package and send them separately.
https://i.imgur.com/6MU5PlH.jpg
I thought this was going to stay with me for a long time and I will be very, very sad to see it go as I feel more of a relationship with this amp than any other. But the itch to try something else has left me much poorer and I don't have the space to keep it. I am sure it will not be my last Radford.
https://i.imgur.com/kyplyom.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XLkNgqs.jpg
I bought this only last January from Wegamus on AoS and it was an improvement on the STA15 I had at the time, so decided to keep it. During the first lockdown, I sent it down to David Coe (AD Audio) and he serviced and renovated the amp, including:
New valve runners (from Radford Revival) and valve sockets
New RCA sockets
New Audio Note speaker binding posts
New mains switch
New cathode bypass capacitors
Silver mica capacitor upgrade
Rewiring all the valve sockets
Mills cathode resistor upgrade
https://i.imgur.com/5vak2JV.jpg
I'm not going to pretend to understand the technical aspects of everything he did, but the amp came back looking and sounding fabulous - a big improvement, like a veil had been lifted from the presentation. It still hums a bit in my room, but my STA15 did too and I believe Radfords do this to some degree - if this is likely to bother you (i.e. you sit right next to your equipment when listening) then this is probably not the power amp for you.
https://i.imgur.com/tyzlvYv.jpg
The amp came with 4 x Genalex Gold Lion KT77 reissues which sound great, but I bought some Amperex branded XF4 (Mullard) EL34s (at nearly £300) that I preferred (thanks Barry for the recommendation). It currently has Telefunken EF86 and ECF82 valves installed, but will also come with used pairs of Tesla EF86, Svetlana EF86 and what look to be Bugle Boy ECF82 valves, though I don't know how many hours these have on them. All these will be supplied with the amp so you can tube roll to your heart's content! It also has a 2A Synergistic Research SR-20 fuse fitted.
https://i.imgur.com/55iFmSe.jpg?1
The service cost >£500 and the tubes £300, so I am asking £2,000 for this - no offers please.
I travel within the midlands a little, so delivery might be an option or a socially-distanced meet somewhere (I'm based just south of Coventry). I have a slightly tatty, but strong box that I used to send this for the service, so shipping is possible and will be around £40 with UPS, but will be at any buyer's risk. You can obviously arrange your own courier if you prefer. I will remove all valves, package and send them separately.
https://i.imgur.com/6MU5PlH.jpg
I thought this was going to stay with me for a long time and I will be very, very sad to see it go as I feel more of a relationship with this amp than any other. But the itch to try something else has left me much poorer and I don't have the space to keep it. I am sure it will not be my last Radford.
https://i.imgur.com/kyplyom.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XLkNgqs.jpg