Vintage Tube Amp

Yes, the same Rheem that makes air conditioners! I’ll bet you didn’t know that they made tube amplifiers at one time! I was told at the sale that it came out of a very large and expensive stereo tape recorder unit. The amplifier has a unique, impressive, and distinctive appearance and is very clean-looking. It would make a great addition to any vintage tube amplifier. Please check out this description very carefully which provides many details about this very unusual amplifier. Also, I have provided many large pictures. DESCRIPTION OF THE AMPLIFIER. As the photos show, this amplifier has a very impressive look to it, is very clean, and looks quite unique. Please check out all of the photos that I have provided. The amplifier chassis including the power transformer, output transformers, and other components, etc. Does have some discolored areas/spots on it, as well as some scuffs, scratches, bends, scrapes, stains, dings, dents, etc. However, most of these items are too small to be picked up by the camera and, in my opinion, this amplifier looks really good for its age especially for an amplifier that is 50+ years old! And Ive tried to show the amplifier from all views and angles so that you can see it (including some close-up photos). It also has a very retro and interesting industrial look to it. On the front of the amplifier, there are a number of items. First, there are two pairs of silver-colored metal knobs on the front, with each pair involving a larger outer metal knob and an small inner metal knob on top of the outer metal knob. There are also 2 meters labelled VU which are very interesting looking. There is also a white slide switch, as well as 3 jacks and a toggle switch. I do not know what these knobs, meters, jacks, slide switch, and toggle switch do, if they are correct, if they are functional/operational, if they are original, and if they are good or not. On the top surface of the amplifier chassis, there are a number of items which all have various numbers, letters, and words associated with them that are stamped directly into the metal surface of the chassis. For example, there is an outlet which is labeled MOTOR (117 V). There are also 2 pairs of jacks, with one of these pairs being labeled RIGHT CHANNEL and the other pair being labeled LEFT CHANNEL. One of the jacks in each pair is labeled E and the other jack is labeled R/P. There is also a shaft sticking up from the amplifier chassis, the function of which I do not know. I do not know what any of these jacks, outlet, and shaft do, if they are correct, if they are functional/operational, if they are original, and if they are good or not. Regarding the tube sockets (there are a total of 5 sockets), 2 of them have 12AT7/ECC81 next to them, 2 of them have 6BM8/ECL82 next to them, and 1 of the sockets has 6CA4/EZ81 next to it. Regarding the tubes which are included with the amplifier (and came with it when I bought it), they are as follows (see the photo of the tubes): (A) 6BM8 (B) 6BM8; (C) 6CA4; (D) 12AT7; and (E) 12AT7. Likewise, the graphics are smudged/missing/faint on one or more of the tubes. Regarding all of the tubes listed above, I did not test them and I therefore do not know if they are good or not. I did check all of the tube filaments with a continuity tester and continuity was present in all of the tubes. In addition, I did not check the tube sockets and I likewise cannot warrant or guarantee that the sockets are good, original, functional and operational. There is a black metal plate which is secured to the rear of the amplifier and covers both the rear and bottom of the amplifier chassis as shown in the photos. There are a number of graphics, etc. On the plate which identify various items as discussed further below. The plate has some scratches, scrapes, dents, dings, scuffs, bends, etc. On it but, as the photos show, it in appears to be in very good condition in my view. Likewise the graphics on the plate are clear and also appear to be in nice condition in my opinion. Please check out the close-up photos of this plate which show the various elements, graphics, etc. Although I dont know if this is correct or not, it appears that at least 2 extra holes were drilled in both the plate and the rear of the amplifier chassis by the amplifiers former owner in order to be able to secure the plate to the amplifier using screws and nuts. Likewise, when the amplifier is lifted up, the plate doesn’t totally contact the front bottom edge of the amplifier but, when the amplifier is put down, the plate contacts some, most, or all of the front edge of the amplifier depending on the type of surface on which the amplifier is placed (see the photos of the front of the amplifier for more information). Furthermore, the plate is attached to the amplifier only in the rear using the above-mentioned screws and nuts, and is not attached at the front of the amplifier. As mentioned above, the rear of the amplifier includes a number of items which are identified by the various graphics on the above-described metal plate as shown in the photos. First, there is a socket labeled AC POWER. Next, there are two small holes which evidently provide access to controls inside the chassis. One hole says RIGHT HUM ADJUSTMENT and the other hole says LEFT HUM ADJUSTMENT. There is a 2-position slide-switch which is labelled EXTERNAL SPEAKERS, with the left position having OFF next to it and the right position having ON next to it. Beneath this switch are two jacks labelled EXTERNAL SPEAKERS (the left jack having RIGHT below it and the right jack having LEFT below it). There is a another pair of jacks which are labeled PREAMP OUTPUTS, with one of the jacks having R next to it and the other jack having L next to it. Furthermore, there are 2 additional pairs of jacks. The first pair is labelled EXTERNAL AMPLIFIER OUTPUTS (PREAMP OUTPUTS), with the second pair being labelled PHONO OR RADIO INPUTS (FM MPX INPUTS). Each of these pairs of jacks has one jack which is labelled R and the another jack that is labelled L. I do not know what these jacks, switch, socket, and controls do, if they are correct, if they are functional/operational, if they are original, and if they are good or not. I have provided an underside view of the amplifier so that you can see its wires, components, parts, etc. As discussed later in this description, I have no idea if this amplifier is complete, if it works, if it has been worked on by someone else in the past, if some or all of its parts have been changed, if it has all of the correct and original parts, if it has been modified, etc. Please also note that this amplifier does not have any side panels or plates and, likewise, does not have any top cover or cage. In addition, the chassis includes a fuse and a light bulb which are located under the chassis. I did not remove the fuse and bulb, did not test them, and I dont know if they (along with their respective sockets/holders), are good, if they are the correct ones for this amplifier, if they are functional, if they are original, etc. Using a continuity tester, I did check for continuity across the terminals of the fuse holder which contains the fuse and also checked for continuity across the terminals associated with the socket which contains the bulb. Continuity was present in both cases. Likewise, there are 4 felt-type pads on the bottom of the metal plate to which the amplifier is attached. The pads cover various holes in the bottom of the plate and appear to have been applied by the former owner of the amplifier but I don’t know whether this is true or not and I don’t know anything more about the pads and their origin, function, etc. In summary, this amplifier is very impressive and interesting-looking. Likewise, it is very clean and has a distinctive appearance. Ive never seen another one like it! It would be a wonderful addition to any vintage amplifier collection. I have not done anything to this amplifier and all of its parts, transformers, wires, meters, outlet, electronic components, tubes, sockets, capacitors, resistors, jacks, controls, switches, bulb, fuse, fuse holder, and all of its other components and I know nothing about their condition. The above-described amplifier may have been worked on, repaired, and/or modified by someone else in the past, but I dont know whether this is true or not. In this regard, I have done nothing to this amplifier and I have not inspected it internally or externally. However, I do not know how much work, parts, wires, wiring work/replacement, repairs, rewiring, power transformer(s), output transformer(s), electronic components, a power cord/plug, outlet(s), meter repairs/replacement, controls, tubes, jacks, sockets, switches, resistors, capacitors, bulb, fuse, fuse holder, and other components, etc. It is quite heavy. While I will pack this item very securely, some of the wires, components, parts, sockets, transformers, jacks, switches, controls, sockets, bulb, fuse, fuse holder, outlet, resistors, capacitors, meters (and/or meter parts), knobs, etc. However, I will do my best to try and prevent these situations by very carefully packing this amplifier although I cannot guarantee that they wont happen. Please make a note of this. Furthermore, all of the tubes, tube sockets, capacitors, resistors, jacks, transformers, other sockets, controls, switches, bulb, fuse, fuse holder, outlet, and all of the amplifiers other components/parts need to be checked out by an electronic expert to see if the tubes are good, if the tubes are the correct ones, if the tubes are in the correct sockets, if the bulb is good and the correct one, if the fuse is good and the correct one, and if all of the tubes, bulb, fuse, fuse holder, tube sockets, other sockets, capacitors, resistors, outlet, jacks, transformers, switches, controls, and all of the amplifiers other components/parts are good and operational before the amplifier is supplied with a power cord/plug, powered-up, tested, used, worked on, modified, connected to any other equipment, handled, connected to a power source/supply, connected to any speakers, etc. Likewise, I have no idea whether everything is original or not in the above-listed amplifier and I therefore cannot make any warranties regarding originality. I also do not warrant that this amplifier is complete and I do not know if there are any missing or incorrect parts/components, etc. The item “RARE, BEAUTIFUL, & UNUSUAL VINTAGE RHEEM STEREO TUBE AMP AMPLIFIER (UNIQUE!)” is in sale since Sunday, July 7, 2019. This item is in the category “Consumer Electronics\Vintage Electronics\Vintage Audio & Video\Vintage Amplifiers & Tube Amps”. The seller is “jaymalkin” and is located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This item can be shipped to United States.