C500 (RC-500) 10 Watt Audio Amplifier

Radio Craftsmen Inc., The; Chicago (IL)

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  • Year
  • 1951/1952
  • Category
  • Audio Amplifier or -mixer
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 133495

Click on the schematic thumbnail to request the schematic as a free document.

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 5
  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 110-120 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • - This model requires external speaker(s).
  • Power out
  • 10 W (unknown quality)
  • Material
  • Metal case, TUBES VISIBLE
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: C500 10 Watt Audio Amplifier - Radio Craftsmen Inc., The;
  • Shape
  • Tablemodel without push buttons, Mantel/Midget/Compact up to 14
  • Dimensions (WHD)
  • 13.5 x 7.5 x 8 inch / 343 x 191 x 203 mm
  • Notes
  • The Radio Craftsmen model 500A (number plate only 500 !) is an AC operated audio amplifier for custom installations with one (mono) input (470 k). For optimum operation, the output tubes KT66 should be a matched pair. The line transformer has 3 positions for line voltage.

    Model 500 is the first model of this line which includes 500, 500A, C550 and C550A. Other names like C500, RC500, C500A, RC500A or RC550A are wrong - but we have to list since so many persons look up under these wrong names. SAMS Photofact is distinguishing between model 500 and model 500A - but Radio Craftsmen made on both a number plate with only "500" as model name. Distinctive is the parts line-up on the plate. Therefore have a closed look to our SAMS reference picture when deciding which model it is.

    We are quite sure about model 500, where we placed pictures of a so called C500 - but the name plate tells 500 only. SAMS Photofact is naming them model 500 (Date 4-52, set 164, folder 8) and model 500A (Date 5-54, set 239, folder 2).

    Nevertheless: "Vacuum Tube Valley" Magazine Nr. 19: "The C500 is one of the finest sounding early 1950s tube amps. Use of KT66 in triode connection, beefy 6SN7 front-end, along with an outstanding output transformer make for superb 3-dimensional realism. Even by today's standards, the C500 is clear, sweet and has superb musical performance. They match perfectly with speakers designed at the same time, such as efficient Tannoys, Bozaks, Altec 604s, Klipschorns, EV and University component speakers etc. They are perfect for any horn-type speaker setup. You can even use them for bi-amp or tri-amp horn systems."
    Klick also the company history and you will see what the designer of Craftsmen model C500 did later and about his change to Marantz.
  • Net weight (2.2 lb = 1 kg)
  • 11.3 kg / 24 lb 14.2 oz (24.89 lb)
  • Author
  • Model page created by Ernst Erb. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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