Jump to content

Restore of Heathkit AP-1800


rjr513

Recommended Posts

Thought I post few pictures of the restoring of my Heathkit Preamp I built back in 1980's, The preamp started given some trouble with the classic symtoms of hum,switches intermitting controls noisy,so I took apart and cleaned all boards using a pcb ultra sonic washer,then moved on to using dexoit on the controls then also used deoxit fader lube,also while apart I decided to recap power supply and main preamp section replacing all electrolytic capacitors,but didn't want to bother the ceramic or mylar caps in sound coupling path not to alter the sound characteristics.

post-101032-0-48174600-1387397625_thumb.

post-101032-0-95439100-1387397664_thumb.

post-101032-0-99225300-1387397721_thumb.

post-101032-0-73905700-1387397760_thumb.

post-101032-0-77905900-1387397810_thumb.

post-101032-0-41225300-1387397870_thumb.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice job!

I'm still kicking myself for not snapping up an AA-1800/AP-1800 combo I saw on ebay a few months ago. Dumb. Do you also have the amp? What are your impressions?

Keep up the good work.

Kent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Kent,Merry Christmas, yes I also have the Heathkit AA-1600 amp which is the step down from the AA-1800 amp.The AA-1600 is a real solid design amp good dynamic amp rated @ 125 watts per channel @ ohms but Heathkit was very conservative on the posted specs because of being a kit form,I have measured power output @ 8 ohms @ 165 watts per channel and 190 watts per channel @ 4 ohms ,and 225 watts per channel @ 2 ohm I have used this amp with a pair of AR3a and it performs very well nice clean low end and very good transit response very well balanced. I wouldn't hesitate to put this amp up against any Pioneer,Sony Sansui Kenwood in that era of vintage 70's/80's amps.I'm in the search bad for a vintage 70's era Accuphase preamp Model C200 and P300 amp I've been bidding heavily on Ebay for these but there very rare and pricing is getting over $1000 ea piece but soon later I'll hit the jack pot :) and win a auction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

And a Merry Christmas to you Ron.

Those Accuphase pieces are real beauties. For my own vintage system I've been trying to keep it "All American". Right now a MAC4100 receiver drives my 3a's but I've alway liked separates. Stupidly sold my Hafler 220 amp a few years ago so now I have an Adcom 555-II waiting in the wings to team up with a DB-1A preamp but my tech told me the original 555 is the better choice. Then I learned a little about the Heathkit AA-1800 and was lusting after that. No FM reception out here on the Appalachian trail so I may add a Grace internet tuner (NOT American though) and keep my Scott 350C just for appearance (or substitute a rare and weird Sherwood CPU-100 that's in the "awaiting restoration" pile). Or maybe my original KLH Eighteen, purchased in 1969. So much gear, so little time & space :(

Don't know of any American CD player to throw in the mix. Maybe I'll use a Tivoli because they "match" the KLH tuner. The final touch will be when I get around to restoring my AR turntable (also purchased in 1969). I'll probably use a Grado cartridge to keep with the "AA" theme.

Anyway.... Nice work on the preamp.

And a Happy New Year!
Kent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...