| Author |
Message |
    
Foxhunter
Junior Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 29
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 12:42 am: | 
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Hoping that anyone familiar with the Texas Star Sweet-Sixteen would give me a little advice on what to look for in buying one used that has a problem. I really hate to buy used amps already unless I see them demonstrated. This amp is $250 and the pills are supposed to be "good" and the case is in excellent shape but the amp--Quote: "needs to be looked at" he says.
Can anyone tell me from experience what common component failures could cause this amp to be in non-working condition? He has several other amps for sale and for instance wants $650 for an EastCoast 8-pill so he's not exactly naive I don't think. So am I looking at basically buying a $250 "basket case" for that kind of price? I don't expect to "steal" an amp from someone either but don't want to just throw $250 away on an amp that's going to cost another $500 or so to get repaired. What are the Texas Star 16's going for retail right now new? What are the items most commonly found to be damaged (aside from the transistors) and in need of repair or replacement? Anything you guys might add will be appreciated. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4322
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 7:26 am: |
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8 transistors @ $30 each, combiners or any of the coils, keying circuit, any # of things could be bad. obviously, look for burn marks, WHY does he say 'needs to be looked at'? a $700(new) amp for $250? he MUST know SOMETHING is wrong somewhere. don't forget you'll need a 2x2290 amp to drive it.....same goes for the east coast, which is a class 'C' amp, AM only, no SSB. the east coast will also draw more current then the texas star. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2541
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 2:07 pm: |
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From my expierence and witnessing the whoas of others I must recommend to never buy a used amp unless you trust that person like a brother. Then again sometimes you can't even trust your brother.
Save a little longer and buy brand new.
You will be glad you did!
KEEP IT REAL!
Kenny
cef491(27.115lsb)
2sf491(27.555usb)
Indiana
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Foxhunter
Junior Member
Username: Foxhunter
Post Number: 30
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 10:35 pm: |
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I guess the "tempatation" of low-price (and actually being able to perhaps afford a TS 16) was making me consider grabbing the amp. I can't afford to throw $250 away though---I'd not take that too well at this point Really "low priced" items that normally sell for much much more, right away raises flags (especially for me) but I have seen some people get some really good things in the past when I was skeptical and decided to pass. "Cry".
I don't know how he could figure that the pills "are good" without removing (?) them and checking them individually (?) with a transistor-checker. *Are RF pills such as these "PNP" or "NPN" transistors??* I've been meaning to ask someone that.
Well thanks I appreciate you guys again helping me out with some solid advice and information. I guess what would be the big question is: what most-likely and most-expensively would be wrong with it?? He definitely admits that there is a problem with it and it needs to be looked at (as he said) and he also stated he just wants to get rid of it that he "has no time for E-Bay". From what Pat-Z gave me there are alot of things that can/will be wrong with it and I am not an amplifier mechanic so that means paying to have it tested and paying again to have it repaired....
I haven't had the best-of-luck with things at times and am DEFINITELY leery of buying used amps even to begin with. The chance maybe to get something that would only need some *reasonable* repairs and still have a decent final (after repairs) purchase price would be a nice break for a change. |
