Trying to find out the value of some Vintage Amps & Preamps.
I have a Paragon 12 (early 70's), Dynaco 300/QSA300 & Pioneer SC100?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. 🙂 Chris
I have a Paragon 12 (early 70's), Dynaco 300/QSA300 & Pioneer SC100?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. 🙂 Chris
The Paragon 12 uses eight 12AX7 tubes. It was designed with the Made in Holland Philips tubes that sold in the U.S. under the Amprex label. Telefunken 12AX7 tubes also sound good. I use Telefunken in the phono section and Amprex and/or Mullard in the line stage. The Paragon 12A uses the same tubes, but distributes the gains stages somewhat differently. No need to use a rare or expensive tube in the cathode follower position with this model. I use the late 1970s Sylvania made 12AX7 in this position to good effect.
LOL I am looking to fix a Paragon power supply. Looking to find out more about the quad cap in the system E preamp. SiCo Amps, the tube information may prove useful. I wonder what the differences are.
I own a Paragon E. Don't remember a quad cap, but I could be wrong. I'm at work so can't check. Have a schematic somewhere, too.
If you could dig one up that would be really useful now that I broke a wire replacing caps in the power supply. Some quad caps are available still, but something between 20uF and 100uF seems likely. Some are 4x 50uF and others have 20,30,40uF all in one. I am leaning to the 4x 50uf
Sorry I have not replied sooner. I've been away from here too long. @ TRU2AU - I must not have had my glasses on when I responded to your request several months ago.
I can only comment on the Paragon model 12 and model 12A. Only about 500 were said to be made. The 12 was hardwired inside a smaller chassis and the 12-A used a circuit board and is larger. The 12 was made for a couple of years (1975-1977?) and the 12A followed (1977 to about 1980?). If you have the original model 12 don't give it away for peanuts. Value would be based on condition. In Japan, a near mint model in close to original shape sells for nearly $3,000 USD. On eBay a couple of weeks ago, a somewhat dogged, but mostly original 12-A sold for $1,600. In general, the 12 is worth more than the 12-A. It is rarer and sounds better both stock and after upgrading. The 12 is easier to upgrade and provides more options for an upgrade because the hardwiring is easier to work with. I know, because I have rebuilt both.
An original stock item is worth a lot to a collector. A well done rebuild is worth more to a listener.
What condition is your unit in?
@ VintageAmp - I have never had my hands on the model-E. I'd love to know if the audio circuit is a stripped down version of the 12/12-A, minus the tone controls and final cathode follower. If it is, then the power supply is probably VERY similar. Most of the values for the big cans are 40uf @ 450v. I have a schematic of the 12-A that I would be happy to email you. It is somewhat hard to read, but I could help you identify component values, or maybe even draw up an easy to read version of the tough to read areas of the schematic. It is really a simple unregulated supply with a lot of CRC filtering - and I mean a lot. But it would be easy to build a supply from scratch. Just let me know your email address if you are still interested.
I can only comment on the Paragon model 12 and model 12A. Only about 500 were said to be made. The 12 was hardwired inside a smaller chassis and the 12-A used a circuit board and is larger. The 12 was made for a couple of years (1975-1977?) and the 12A followed (1977 to about 1980?). If you have the original model 12 don't give it away for peanuts. Value would be based on condition. In Japan, a near mint model in close to original shape sells for nearly $3,000 USD. On eBay a couple of weeks ago, a somewhat dogged, but mostly original 12-A sold for $1,600. In general, the 12 is worth more than the 12-A. It is rarer and sounds better both stock and after upgrading. The 12 is easier to upgrade and provides more options for an upgrade because the hardwiring is easier to work with. I know, because I have rebuilt both.
An original stock item is worth a lot to a collector. A well done rebuild is worth more to a listener.
What condition is your unit in?
@ VintageAmp - I have never had my hands on the model-E. I'd love to know if the audio circuit is a stripped down version of the 12/12-A, minus the tone controls and final cathode follower. If it is, then the power supply is probably VERY similar. Most of the values for the big cans are 40uf @ 450v. I have a schematic of the 12-A that I would be happy to email you. It is somewhat hard to read, but I could help you identify component values, or maybe even draw up an easy to read version of the tough to read areas of the schematic. It is really a simple unregulated supply with a lot of CRC filtering - and I mean a lot. But it would be easy to build a supply from scratch. Just let me know your email address if you are still interested.
I was able to find a caps that had reasonable values off e-bay and proceeded with the recap. The unit is made with point to point wiring. I have since returned it to the owner. Thanks for the info.
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