Welborne Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 What is your opinion on the Scott? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) They are awesome in that vintage tube kind of way. That is If you don't mind mono FM which is actually pretty darn good with today lousy FM signals. Basically a 399 is a very early model 299B integrated amplifier coupled with the really good 330D AM/FM mono tuner. I've rebuilt about 100 of them over the years. another great tidbit is the very large power supply transformer has separate rectifiers and windings for the AM/FM tuner and amplifier sections so no trade off for the added tuner features! Edited February 21, 2016 by NOSValves 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 If your looking at that one on EBay for $450 right now that is tubeless that is not all that good deal but also not horrible. It will cost nearly $300 to tube it up and than about the same as purchase price to have it properly professional restored unless you are handy with that type of stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Thanks! Really quick! How is the treble performance when compared to say Eico HF81? For most part of my journey I have always used modern single ended triode ampmifier such as a 300B/6c33c, and my only exposure to anything "vintage" was an Eico HF81 I borrowed from a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Just so you know,Craig, is probably the foremost authority on Scott restorations in the world, so you are getting much more than typical internet forum advice. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Thanks! Really quick! How is the treble performance when compared to say Eico HF81? For most part of my journey I have always used modern single ended triode ampmifier such as a 300B/6c33c, and my only exposure to anything "vintage" was an Eico HF81 I borrowed from a friend. Well the treble is just wonderful. I've rebuilt a bunch of HF-81 in my day and they are great for what they are they present a very laid back relaxed tone that is very alluring.. but as a point of reference the HF-81 was a very entry level piece of gear offered in kit form or factory built. It retailed for $59 in kit form and something like $79 assembled. The 399 was always factory built and cost you guessed it $399... In the 60's the EICO had about the worst reputation in audio and test equipment. Today many of the products have a big following. In my opinion and to my ears the Scott line trounces the HF-81 in both build quality and sound quality. I like my sound more controlled and true too source just so you have a point of reference. Hope this helps Edited February 22, 2016 by NOSValves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks! Really quick! How is the treble performance when compared to say Eico HF81? For most part of my journey I have always used modern single ended triode ampmifier such as a 300B/6c33c, and my only exposure to anything "vintage" was an Eico HF81 I borrowed from a friend. By the way who was your friend? I might know him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I am located in Hong Kong. And a guy is putting a Scott 399 for sale which is in immaculate condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_kc Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) I am a customer of Craig / NOS Valves. He’s restored a number of tube amps for me, including a Scott 399. I love it. I have no experience with La Scala or Klipschorn. My 399 drives Klipsch Palladium P-37F. I also have a Scott 222C driving Klipsch RF-7. And I have a 299B that Craig restored. These 7189 based Scott amps all have very good sound quality. And, IMO an immaculate 399 in a nice wood case is a beautiful looking receiver – particularly at night with the round dials glowing. Edited February 22, 2016 by robert_kc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I too am a customer of Craig and liked his rebuild on my 299C that I also had him do a 299D (for my son) also a 272 and 296. they drive a modified Heresy (2 way with a larger horn for the mids and highs) and 2 sets of Cornscala's. I just finished listening to Leo Stokowski's Debussy CD (recorded in 1957) and it sounds incredible - (add 9 or 10 more superlatives). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_kc Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I too am a customer of Craig and liked his rebuild on my 299C that I also had him do a 299D (for my son) also a 272 and 296. they drive a modified Heresy (2 way with a larger horn for the mids and highs) and 2 sets of Cornscala's. I just finished listening to Leo Stokowski's Debussy CD (recorded in 1957) and it sounds incredible - (add 9 or 10 more superlatives). I also have a Scott 272 and 296 restored by Craig. In addition to the Scott 399, 222C and 299B listed above, I also have a Scott 299C, LK150, and 210F. (Plus various McIntosh, Fisher, Altec, and Pilot amps. And an Inspire SET amp.) Of course each has a different sound compared with the 7189 amps. I also listen to classical music and opera. IME a specific tube amp complements a particular recording. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Ok guys, I pull the trigger and bought it. Thanks for the advice here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 They are in amazing condition 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEvan Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 What a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_kc Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Congrats! Has your 399 already been restored? Are those a Scott 340A and 299A that I see in the background? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I think its a Scott 130 preamp. Yes the 399 is in all original status and fully checked/restored, no hum no hiccups. I wanted an amp to allow me to try the classic PWK 3 channel thing and the 399 has a "derived centre channel rca output" that I can take advantage of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Plus I read that the 399, likes its brothers 299s, has a very decent riaa phono stage. I don't own any vinyl set up right now but if the Scott phono is good then it half journey walked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Decent phono stage, indeed …….but you need a high output cartridge to hear anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welborne Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Is the 399 phono section same as the 299B? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 Is the 399 phono section same as the 299B? Wow that is one gorgeous 399. Yes the phono section in the 399 is identical to the 299 series of amplifiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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