Why a outboard power supply amplifier?
Back in the early days of HI FI many manufactures like Scott, McMurdo, Fisher, and Capehart to name a few, offered in their top of the line models a separate power supply from the amplifier section. The reason is, you move all of the transformers that have AC on them, that can cause issues in the amplifier section to a separate chassis. To me it is just a beautiful way to show some vintage high end transformers, and parts the way they would have been used long ago. It is not just the best sounding single ended amplifier you can buy, but a beautiful piece of art, that will be a joy to look at and great conversion piece.
Today we are offering a very special outboard power supply amplifier. For old audio guys who like me, remember the beautiful vintage amplifiers before China started making everything. Some time back I purchased some 1940’s Bud Electro Zinc 18 gauge chassis. These of course are much heaver, and better built than anything they make today. They are 8” X 17” X 2”. I was saving them for this special project, to support the heavy transformers. Years ago I started buying and collecting Kenyon transformers. The Kenyon company started in 1938 and no longer is in business. The Kenyon brand filament transformer, and choke that I used in this amplifier were the top of the line broadcast studio grade continuous duty transformers. One is the 100 ohm choke and the other is the 2.5 volt 10 amp filament transformer, used for the pair of 2A3 tubes. Under the same power supply chassis is the Hammond Canada 3 amp 5 volt rectifier transformer. I love the silver Kenyon badges with the lighting bolts. Very Art Deco.
The power transformer is a 1960’s USA made Stancor brand that has a heavy copper band around all the laminates, then put in an Iron can and filled with epoxy resin to keep out winding buzz. Some of the other features of this amplifier are.
NOS Dalco USA Neon pilot lamp
NOS Chinch USA Military grade tube sockets
NOS Hubble USA AC connectors made in the USA will last forever.
Aviation grade USA silver plated hookup wire teflon covered throughout the signal path. As good as it gets.
If you watch our web site you know this is outboard power supply amplifier much different than our normal offerings. The 2A3 tube used in this amplifier came out not long after the 45 tube was introduced. The 2A3 is a pair of 45 tubes placed in the same glass envelope. They are similar in fidelity to the 45 tube. They draw twice the amperage and have twice the wattage 3 watts per tube. Because of the increased power, all the transformers had to be larger to handle double the amperage.
Thank you for looking Alan & Jason