John Wood Audio, a tale of woe

[Macca]

What a very well made looking thing that is. I'd give it space on the shelf, lovely tag strip hard wired construction.


So does the bloody thing hum like the OP stated it did or was he just looking to send it back at no cost to him.?

No -the OP shipped the amp to Anthony at his own expense so that it can be fixed and sold for charity.

[anthonyTD]

Hi All,
Well, this amp has sat on my bench now for a good few hours without an issue.
There is currently no objectional hum,in fact, it is very quiet, even on my bench' which usualy amplifies mechanical hum due to it being hollow beneath!
As to the original fault, i am now quite sure that the issues experienced by the OP where genuine, but were down not to any design, or build issue, but output valve failier, posibly due to transit damage or, posibly due to this paticular set of output valves not being able to withstand the high'ish HT voltages etc.
Either way, my own feelings after having inspected, and tested this amplifier are mixed between admiration for the guy who built it, and sadness for both he, and the OP, due to the whole sorry situation.
The more i look at this amp, the harder it is [for me] to understand how the guy made any money from making it! Having been involved in this industry for over 20 years now, i am fully aware of how much time and effort it takes to build something like this, also' the costs involved in sourcing all the parts etc.
Its not the most attractive looking amp out there, [IMHO] but then, i imagine looks were secondary, its all about whats inside on this occasion.
Over the next few days, i am going to further test, it, and also' try and sort out as best i can the issues to the casework, then, once i am happy with it, i will inform Marco, and then he can set the ball rolling as far as getting it Auctioned off to the next lucky owner!
Anthony,TD...

[Firebottle]

Good work Anthony. I was also impressed with your simple but detailed description of testing the amp, so that others of a less technical bent could understand what's involved and what you have done.

[Clive]

Either way, my own feelings after having inspected, and tested this amplifier are mixed between admiration for the guy who built it, and sadness for both he, and the OP, due to the whole sorry situation.

It is a sad situation routed in communication issues rather than anything underhand. Probably both sides had their role to play in Communication Breakdown, does it play Led Zep well?

[southall-1998]

Nice looking amp. How much does it weigh in KG?

S.

[Audio Al]

so that others of a less technical bent

Thats me that is

[anthonyTD]

I forgot to mention that it also has dual mono HT supplies, [shared mains transformer windings] with a decent pair of Chokes situated inside the chassis! [see picks]

Good work Anthony. I was also impressed with your simple but detailed description of testing the amp, so that others of a less technical bent could understand what's involved and what you have done.

[anthonyTD]

This amp is heavy, not having done a proper weighing yet, i would guess its in excess of 40kg!

Nice looking amp. How much does it weigh in KG?

S.

[anthonyTD]

I agree Clive,
I am sure it will play Led Zep just fine!

It is a sad situation routed in communication issues rather than anything underhand. Probably both sides had their role to play in Communication Breakdown, does it play Led Zep well?

[Gordon Steadman]

So, the guy had a perfectly good amplifier all the time.

Ain't it great when humans manage to sod up a simple thing like talking to each other. Belligerence?, intransigence? Who really knows? Still, it looks like someone will get a bargain unless the bidding gets a little enthusiastic.