Can you identify these old Tube amps?

[decooney]

Hello, I've stored these amps from my Grandfather for 25+ years and he built them in the 1960s as I understand it. For some reason I always thought they were Heathkit stereo tube amps but I'm not sure. There are no emblems or markings on the removable tops, bottom, or back. Silver base, various tubes, and gray color metal perforated top covers. A local ham radio guy has expressed interest buying them once he sees them in person but I don't want to let them go at least until I can identify what they are

Do these look familiar to anyone here? Any ideas?

[Reeltarded]

They do look Heathy..

Are the connections on the back maybe 8 row terminal strips?

[decooney]

They do look Heathy..

Are the connections on the back maybe 8 row terminal strips?

The larger tube amp has 6 terminal standard screw heads on one side (left rear) looking at the unit from the front, and two on the right rear. The other smaller tube amp has three terminals on one side and two on the other.

My Grandfather was a ham radio guy back in the 60s so initially I thought it was ham gear until I saw two RCA jacks on the back. Turned it on, plugged in a CD player and sounds came out the speaker terminals when I hooked a speaker up many years ago. The larger amp has the two RCA input jacks looped together on the back for some reason. Can't make heads or tails of what year these are, brand, model or use for ham radio or audio stereo. Wish I knew what they were. Thanks.

[Reeltarded]

I may be wrong, but from what I can see it looks like a PA set for an installation. Is the other unit simply a power amp?

[tubeswell]

Can't tell much by lookin' at the outsides. May be able to guestimate the schematic from a few well-composed, hi-res gutshots.

[decooney]

Can't tell much by lookin' at the outsides. May be able to guestimate the schematic from a few well-composed, hi-res gutshots.

I cannot tell what each really is other than I thought they were some kind of tube amps for either audio or ham radio use. The only reason I thought it was a tube amp is I hooked up a CD player to the RCA inputs on one amp, and started connecting speaker leads until I heard sound come out. Sure enough, the smaller amp generated sound. The larger amp did not, and it has some other cabe on the back connected as well as having the RCA jacks on the back looped together. Thanks for the help so far... will keep replying until something looks familiar to someone.

Tubeswell,
If I'm understanding correctly, are you indicating that it might help if I take a few high resolution shots from the top, front, and back with the covers off on both units? I can get a better camera out and do that and post on a site where I can insert better photos of the small and large units.

[tubeswell]

Best if you post on somewhere like flickr and insert the image link in your post here.

[Reeltarded]

Best if you post on somewhere like flickr and insert the image link in your post here.

lol. Yes.

[decooney]

Best if you post on somewhere like flickr and insert the image link in your post here.

Exactly, that's why I mentioned above in my last reply that I will "post on a site where I can insert better photos". i.e. meaning <Img> tag inserts. Got it. Will do. Thanks.

[decooney]

Once I figure out what these are, I would like to see these units go to someone who knows what they are and can use them. I already have my own solid state and tube audio gear I use, and don't need these and not for sentimental reasons any longer. The guy who wanted them thought they were some kind of Ham radio amp units and now thinks they are not for Ham radio use. So, I guess I'm back to trying to figure out if they are for audio or PA as mentioned here. Will post better photos soon. Thanks again.

[Cliff Schecht]

So are you selling these? I love stuff like this and would be interested in one of them.

As far as who made these, my first reaction was Heathkit too but they don't really look like anything Heathkit produced from what I know them to look like. To be honest, they look like generic 50's tube amps. Posting some pictures of the guts will at least let us know what era the amps are from based on the parts used. The gratuitous use of 9-pin tubes makes me think late 50's. Comparing these to the brands that I know (RCA, Bogen, Western Electric, Masco, Arkay, Heathkit, etc..) I can't see any close relation really to any of these. The closest these look to anything I have seen or own myself is old RCA tube amps, but I don't think these are made by RCA.

[tubeswell]

Best if you post on somewhere like flickr and insert the image link in your post here.

lol. Yes.

[guitardude57]

If these were HAM gear pieces, they would have a couple PL259 connectors for antennae. There were many tube hifi companies back then that made this stuff, and some sold kits. The ones you have, almost look like early Dynaco's.

[martin manning]

What are the numbers on the transformers? That might give a clue.

[decooney]

If these were HAM gear pieces, they would have a couple PL259 connectors for antennae. There were many tube hifi companies back then that made this stuff, and some sold kits. The ones you have, almost look like early Dynaco's.

Woah, now wouldn't that be cool if that were true. I hope these turn out to be Dynaco and that you are correct. If so, that would be an amazing loopback connection with my Grandfather who passed away in the 70s. In my late teens I worked at ESS Electrostatic Sound Systems who acquired Dynaco and I've owned other Dynaco stuff, but if THESE are Dynaco I'm going to have to keep them and restore them. I do some R&D stuff with ESS speaker parts even today, and would love nothing more than to try these with them at least once. I'm very glad I posted this thread to ask you guys here on this forum.

I will look much closer today, take better photos, and look for any numbers I can on the transformers. Really appreciate everyone's eyes and brains here.