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After searching and shopping for awhile now, the stars finally aligned and I snagged a 50w two holer today off the Bay. It looks to be in good condition and pretty clean.

The pictures weren't the best in the listing but all seemed in order and I couldn't resist. Tell me what you think...details..mods...original?

I don't see a voltage input selector which puzzles me...maybe these were located elsewhere on this year/model or was this made for the Canadian market?

Also, the catalogs from 1978/1979 and other pictures I see on Mark Huss' website show 3 amp mains fuse and this one says 4 amp? Here are the pics from the listing:

jrsdws wrote: I don't see a voltage input selector which puzzles me...maybe these were located elsewhere on this year/model or was this made for the Canadian market?

The latter. There was a run of "export to Canada" chassis that did not have a hole punched for a voltage selector. Just below the "275W", I see what looks to be the remnants of an Ontario Hydro sticker.

So, technically, it's a DR505. Better pictures would help, but it appears to be pretty straight. Congrats!

Dave

P.S. I'd go with a 3A fuse.

Looks like the screen resistors (the big ones on the tube sockets) have been replaced, and someone added flyback protection diodes to the output tube sockets as well. Nice amp.

--mark

Thanks fellas. Yeah the pics are rough. I'll take some new photos when she arrives.

Congrats. I almost bought that one.. It was listed on TGP. I remember the seller said it had some scratchy pots. I opted for another but that looks like it could be a good one. Post some better pics and your thoughts on it when it arrives. Mine should get here tomorrow!

Mine will be here tomorrow (Friday) also!! I'll get her out and snap some photos and post.

Amp just delivered by UPS a little bit ago. Mr. Roadie case pretty sweet addition. Head cab in immaculate condition. It is stamped DR504 although you can see a slight orange color where the Ontario Hydro sticker was. I'm not sure if the mod has been removed or not.

Opened her up before playing to have a look see. Amp has been recapped with JJ caps. I see some bulges on them but I don't know how severe this is. I'll probably have it recapped.

Kind of dirty on the inside around the tube sockets and cap clamps, etc. Cleaned up pretty well, though.

One of the power tube octal sockets has some wiggle in it but seems stable when removing the tube. It probably needs replaced.

The heat shield rattles like crazy when playing. It wasn't tightened down well.

It appears that there have been a few caps replaced in both the preamp and power sections, although I have no idea what they do and if it would affect anything negatively.

Didn't play it too much, but sounds great so far. I think I'll give her some attention before getting on her too much.

What do you gurus think?

Nice score! I bet you could just tighten the pin holders on the octal tube socket instead of replacing it. Just a thought ....

the head cab may be a repro, it is hard to tell without seeing it in person.

I wouldn't recap it for a few years, those aren't really bulging yet.

Do the power tubes rattle? if not I wouldn't worry much about the wiggly socket. Lots of them do this.

i wouldn't do much to it, just enjoy it!

Congrats!

Yeah I just kind of figured out as I was putting the chassis back in that the cab must be a repro. I reckon it's no big deal as she was made for playing not for looking at!!

I wasn't sure about the electrolytic caps. The tubes don't rattle and the amp sounds great so I guess it's just time to let her rip.

let her rip!

Can you tell if the "Canadian" mod is in place?

It looks like it was put back to stock according to: http://hiwatt.org/ca_mod.html

it has been un-modded back to DR504 specs.

Dr.HIWATT wrote: I wouldn't recap it for a few years, those aren't really bulging yet.

Correct.

@jrsdws; what you're seeing are the manufactured (i.e. intentional) relief bubbles. Unless they're really bulging and/or oozing, no problem.

Dave

someone added flyback protection diodes to the output tube sockets

Mark .... what is the purpose of these + is it worth doing in general? I suspect it might be a good idea given it's called "flyback"

... makes it sound that without them something baaaaaaaad could happen

Nice amp and enjoy yourself !!

john