Ampex 601 Modified Vintage 3x1 Tube Preamp in Tweed Lunchbox mid-50s

This is one of the last units Jim Miller, the notorious Ampex expert, modified with a very hefty price point, no expenses were spared, particularly in the NOS tubes and all the transformers. He's since retired and this level of craftsmanship with Ampex gear simply isn't available anymore.

This is essentially a 3x1 Ampex 601 tube preamp, so: 3 channels (the Ampex knobs) into 1 output (the big genuine 2" RCA Bakelite knob) with around 75 db of gain on each channel. The preamp section was improved significantly, while trying to stay true to the original charm of the 601 with no negative feedback, for more even order harmonics and an "older" sound. It sounds lush, big and like a single ended design from the golden age of audio should. It has a very brown near breakup mid-century sound. The idea was to maintain the charm of the 601, not completely change the preamp and transformers like so many do to these things. This is altogether a very different animal, a special piece of gear and a very reluctant sale.

One of the channels is the military version of the UTC A-11, the other channel has the original Ampex 580022/17331 transformer, and the last channel is unbalanced (it's an unbalanced line level input). The output iron is also a UTC transformer. The input UTC has variable impedance in the back. There's phase inversion for one of the inputs and also an option to load the output (capable of driving 600 ohm) or unload it.

The preamp is enclosed in a gorgeous tweed lunchbox (there's a combining genuine leather handle that screws onto the top), with a built-in 220v psu. There's no noise, though, it's all incredibly well done and shielded. I can provide a step down transformer for seamless use in 110v regions.

For the time being, I'm offering free shipping worldwide.