vintage amp

[kingfisher]

Hello Solid state fans
I stumbled on this Brown Mark 1 intergrated amplifier. I would like to know if it was and or still is a good buy at $2oo. It has a nice black chassis and wood grain side panels. Very heavy Transformer and large storage caps (2) Nice looking unit, but I an shakey on the price? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Francis

[kevinkr]

I've never heard of this brand, and was not able to find anything using Google search.. I'm wondering if it was some inexpensive department/box store brand. $200 is fairly pricey for something this obscure IMHO.. A vintage Pioneer, Sansui or Kenwood amp if that is what you are into would probably be a much safer bet, unless someone here knows something more specific about this brand and model..

[kingfisher]

I had same results on my search. Even if a defunked manufature, there should be something out there!
Thanks Kevinkr

[latala]

Many many years ago at London Hifi show I came across this amplifier and its designer
It was very advanced for its time this would be in the late 70,s ? early 80,s
it featured a semi regulated supply with thyristors I think
The designer was from Canada I often wondered what had become of this
best regards Trev

[anatech]

Hi Francis,
I'd walk away on this one unless you are capable of rebuilding it without a schematic. Depending on what is in it, and how good the cosmetics are, it may not be a bad price. After all, small Marantz receivers seem to be worth (yeah, right) a couple hundred and up these days.

If you aren't up to serious troubleshooting and rebuild, stay away. Anything that old requires a rebuild.

-Chris

[kingfisher]

Hello again SS Fans
Well I took the plunge with this Brown MFG. ltd Toronto Model Mark 1! Okay I had a weak moment there, counter to the advise of anatech I bought the amp.
This Amp has the old style screw down Speaker connectors and Tin RCA inputs but the old stops there! This unit is very well built, stout but simple. I was skectical as my opening E-Mail showed, but after negotiating the price down to $175.00 and a 1 week return option, I handed the money over. Getting the Amp hooked up was simple and straight forward with speaker wires fashioned to fit and RCA's cleaned and polished I listened. Expecting the worst, I was happy not to encounter any problems as everything checked out fine even the Phono section (bonus).
How does it sound? Big, powerful and authorative! Much better then my old NAD 712 Reciever but just slightly under my Marchand Electronic's MD103 125Watt Solid State Mono Bloc Amp. I used to own a DNA-1 amplifier and this has similar sound and authority! Satisfied buyer here! But one thing probably bothers you! Why did I ask for advice, when you and I knew I would buy this anyway? LOL I think like all of us we could not pass it up!
Francis

[anatech]

Hi Francis,
I only wanted to point out some risks you may run up against in the future. There are a few technicians who could repair it later on if it fails. It's just the service cost might be higher in the event that no service information is available. That and you did cover yourself in the event that the amp failed soon after you put it into use.

I'm glad it worked out and you are happy. Some would not have been that lucky. What you should do now is attempt to track down some service information in case it's needed in the future. Don't wait until you need it!

-Chris

[kingfisher]

Thanks again anatech, unfortuantely the info search is like looking into a Black Hole! Even with the printing at the rear of the unit, it did not get me any closer to the designer or the Company oregin! However the seller told me "His technition" recognized it rightaway, I will attempt to contact him in this regard! But thanks again for your input anatech!
Francis

[anatech]

Hi Francis,
Sounds promising, but do not stop looking for the real information. This is important!

It is true that this amplifier may be close to another, more popular design. Small changes due to flashes of insight on the designer's part may hold surprises for the next person in there. I speak from experience here. It isn't uncommon for me to have something brought in that was an orphan to begin with, then suffered a failed service attempt. You wouldn't believe what kind of hack work can survive a year before it fails.

I recently had a fellow drop by with a Marantz 500 in his trunk for a quick look. He bought it after hearing it playing at the seller's house. Glancing at the two driver boards on the top caused some worry, so removing two screws they were free for closer inspection. Couldn't believe my eyes! Aside from modified networks graphed on the top, the traces below were in terrible shape! Parts began to fall off the PCB without any interference as the new owner and I stared in disbelief! It basically fell apart simply due to the act of moving it. The PCBs are so bad that I' going to have to make a pair of new ones. That's serious and upsetting. A "technician" destroyed this amplifier.

My personal expectations on the quality of service work out there have crashed to new lows every time I see equipment abused by someone who calls themselves a technician.

In the interim, take a digital camera and take pictures of the inside and PCBs of your amplifier. Photograph wiring and especially connections to the various PCBs. If you can, take detailed pictures (close up) of the tops (component side) and bottoms (solder side) of the PCBs before you have trouble. Bright sunlight is almost the best lighting. Diffuse light from slight overcast weather is the best. Use a half decent camera and not a cellphone.

-Chris

Edit: It's a good time to blow out the dust and clean the chassis. A 1" paint brush helps along with compressed air. Be very, very gentle on the PCB, but do get rid of any dust bunnies in there. Dust will insulate the components to the point where they may overheat. Pictures after this step, but it won;t hurt to take a couple before doing anything.

[ostripper]

They made a few amps , most said "BEL" (below- mark 5) ... some were class A , some AB. BEL = brown electronics lab....

No company , or schema's ... just auctions and a few pictures/discussions
AudiogoN Forums: Who and what are BEL/Bell Labs amplifiers.

Ones like this ... I just gut em' and retrofit MY amps in em'
PS - the brown's I see on auction command 1K - 1.5K $$$$..... pricey !!
OS