Opinions on this '74 103?

[Olsvik]

Hey guys, found this '74 DR103 for sale. I have requested more photos of the internals and will post them once I receive them. Not much can be seen but maybe someone can spot something suspect in these two tiny photos. The description is that it is all original, but it is missing the pack panel. Thanks gents.

[mhuss]

The hard-wired AC cord and covered-over voltage selector is not stock. Also looks like an extra jack between the 'cover' and the S/N plate. Looks pretty clean otherwise.

--mark

[mikhailwatt]

Is that an Ontario Hydro sticker on the back? I've never seen an older 4-input with a Canadian import 120v mod before, but I suppose they could exist.

Gut shots, for sure, unless it's such a deal that you feel like rolling the dice.

[Olsvik]

That orange sticker under the speaker jacks, right? Could be an Ontario Hydro sticker. I can't seem to remember what colour sticker was on my DR505, I thought it was green, but now that I think about it, maybe it was an orange one like that.

I called the music store to get more information but the employee refused to give out the serial number over the phone for whatever reason. I don't understand the harm that could come from giving out the serial number of an amp...can someone explain the reasoning behind this?

As for the price, it's listed at $1699.99 CAN which, considering the state of the exchange rate right now, seems like quite a steal. That's equivalent to about $1445.00 U.S. right now. Who knows what that'll be by next week though.

I already have a line on another DR103 but two DR103s never hurt anyone (except in the ears, perhaps).

[mikhailwatt]

As for the price, it's listed at $1699.99 CAN

That's approaching "roll the dice" territory.

Would you pick it up, and could you inspect the guts at the store?

I speak from experience - two are better than one.

[OldSchoolDave]

That orange sticker under the speaker jacks, right? Could be an Ontario Hydro sticker. I can't seem to remember what colour sticker was on my DR505, I thought it was green, but now that I think about it, maybe it was an orange one like that.

FWIW, my '79 DR105 has an orange Ontario Hydro sticker, with (fading) red lettering.



But, they didn't do the power connector the same way as the one in your pics (this is the best pic I have at the moment).



Look like original Partridges. Like Mike said, it's getting close to a safe gamble. If they'll let you pull the chassis in the store, it'd be even better.

Dave

[Dr.HI-TONE]

$1400 US??? I would roll the dice!

[Olsvik]

Unfortunately, the store is about a 20 hour drive from where I live...not do-able in the least. So this will be a buy before you try sort of thing. The low price is kinda of what has me worried. I mean, you'd have to be completely clueless to price it that low if it is, in fact, as original as they state. So either, they don't know what they have, which seems unlikely considering the rest of the high priced vintage gear they have on their website. OR, something isn't quite right and they aren't letting on about it.

[Olsvik]

Another question, what would a guy do about replacing the back panel?

[OldSchoolDave]

Another question, what would a guy do about replacing the back panel?

Jeff Swanson could probably make you one.

OR, you could probably trace a pattern from another DR103 (if you had one ) and cut and tolex a replacement. I might even know a guy who's got a bit of Hiwatt vynide to spare .

Dave

EDIT: Dr.Hiwatt just emailed to tell me he's already cut several back panels, for the head boxes he was going to make for VHR. They're not tolexed or screened yet, but it'd be another option.

[Olsvik]

Okay, I have received more photos of this '74. Apparently, there was a line-out added at some point, that explains the extra jack on the back panel. Aside from that, anything noteworthy? I have super high-res versions of these photos if need be. Thanks gentleman, I appreciate all the help I have been given.








Will the line-out affect the tone at all? I would have it removed eventually...
The most important question: would you pay $1400-1500 U.S. for this amp?

[mikhailwatt]

It looks pretty much all original except for:

-- The input cable for one of the channels looks to have been replaced (black cable vs. gray)
-- V1 wiring looks like it may have been messed with, but later put back to stock
-- That added terminal strip at V2 - possibly left over from a gain mod that was removed?
-- Line-out jack and cabling (black cables siliconed to the preamp board)
-- The mains & standby switches don't match - mains switch is probably a replacement
-- The mains wiring
-- Those extra metal shrouds on the inboard sides of the transformers

Wouldn't take much work to restore it. $1,400 still seems like a decent price, but maybe you could talk them down a little, since it is obviously not "all original" as they claimed.

[Olsvik]

Those things are pretty minor aren't they? $1400 for a 4 input '74 still seems like a pretty good deal. The shop said they would remove the line-out modification for me, free of charge, if I buy the amp. I dunno if they'll drop the price any, but maybe they could do some more work restoring it for free. Those metal shrouds on the transformers can probably be easily removed eh? Thanks Mike.

[Olsvik]

I haggled the store down to $1600.00 CAN, shipped. That's about $1348.00 U.S. right now. Seems like a pretty good deal, but what do I know? If it sounds sub-par I'm sure I can at least break even if not come out a bit on top.

[mikhailwatt]

I'd be all over that deal. It's not a collector's piece, but it should be a great player.