Economy 6 Watt Push-Pull Amplifier Kit A-4

Heathkit (Brand), Heath Co.; Benton Harbor (MI)

  • Year
  • 1950
  • Category
  • Kit (Parts plus instruction) or building instructions only
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 367595
    • alternative name: Heath Company

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Transistors
  • 6
  • Semiconductors
  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 117 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • - This model requires external speaker(s).
  • Power out
  • 6 W (undistorted)
  • Material
  • Metal case, TUBES VISIBLE
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Economy 6 Watt Push-Pull Amplifier Kit A-4 - Heathkit Brand, Heath Co.;
  • Shape
  • Chassis only or for «building in»
  • Notes
  • The Heathkit A-4 is a vintage monaural (mono) audio amplifier introduced by the Heath Company in 1947 as part of its first line of electronic kits. It was a simple, low-power unit developed from circuits found in the Radiotron Designer's Handbook and is considered rare today.

    Technical Specifications:
    The A-4 was a primitive tube-based design built on a single sheet-metal chassis. According to historical Heathkit records: 
    Power Output: Rated at 6 watts.
    Circuit Design: Based on standard designs of the era, it utilized surplus wartime electronic parts.
    Output Tubes: Typically employed a pair of surplus metal-type 6L6 or 6V6 output tubes.
    Transformer: Featured a potted output transformer, likely manufactured by Chicago Transformer. 

    Maintenance for Collectors:
    If you are restoring an original Heathkit A-4, experts from Vintage Radio Info and Nostalgic Kits Central recommend the following:
    Component Replacement: It is critical to replace original paper or "Black Beauty" capacitors, which are known to short over time and can damage rare output tubes or transformers.
    Powering Up: Always use a variac to slowly bring up the voltage on vintage tube equipment that has been in storage to avoid blowing internal components. 

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 12.50 USD
  • Mentioned in
  • -- Original prospect or advert (1950 Feb. Heathkit catalog page 4 "New", 1951 Jan. Heathkit catalog page 7)
  • Author
  • Model page created by Glen Orriss. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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