HELP please - ID/info needed on an old Bell amplifier!!!

[tubeBKLYN]

Greeting AudioKarma people.

Can anyone help me identify this old Bell amplifier? It was an impulse yard sale purchase and I have been using it for about 7 years now and love it - but I still know nothing about it. I have tried scouring the internet and have always come up empty handed. Any information or leads would be VERY appreciated. I have attached several pictures of it to this posting.

Also, does anyone have any advice or recommendations for what tubes might work really well in this unit? I play mostly classic rock, jazz and soul/R&B from the early 60's through the mid 70's.

In case it wasn't too obvious, I am at the early novice stage here but would love to become more tube savvy. I love the sound and the glow and the beautiful old equipment - absolutely fascinating.

I think that staring at old tubes glowing in my livingroom is much more interesting than most of what is on TV...

Thanks,

Marc

[wizargoz]

"I think that staring at old tubes glowing in my livingroom is much more interesting than most of what is on TV..."

Absolutely right!:yes:

[Tom Bavis]

The stamp: "Model 2418" is the clue we need... it's listed in the Sams index, #532-5 (1961). As it happens, I have a scan of that Sams folder - email for a copy: tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com

The capacitors should be replaced, there aren't that many. A set of matched 6V6s should be used - and a 6X4 will be sweating powering that amp - a strong one is essential. I'd probably replace it with a pair of 1KV diodes... if the voltage isn't too high.

Edit: (Oops, it's a 6CA4 / EZ81... still pushing the 150 mA rating on that one...)

[radioactive]

tom beat me.it is a 2418.

heres a qoute from another ak member regarding the amplifier.

Current circa 1962-63 this 19 pound stereo amplifier had a suggested retail price of $109.95. Power output each channel is 15 Watts. There are controls for loudness, rumble and scratch filters; bass and treble cut and boost 10dB. Rated frequency response is 20 - 20,000 cps plus or minus 2 dB. Output taps for 8 and 16 ohm speakers. Tube complement: 4-6V6GT, 4-12AX7 and one EZ81

[Tube Radio]

Nice :thmbsp:. I too am enjoying tube audio as I'm restoring a SCott LK-72A.

Good on your restoration.

[Endspec]

I got the same amp playing here every night too.
Only bass and treable , mono switch besides the tuner/pnono& aux switch and balance no rumble controls on this one. but still a nice unit, A good upgrade would to replace the output transformers with a little better ones too.
This unit is real easy to work on too, I replace the coupling caps in mine and a few were a little hard to get to but not real bad and ther is only 8 coupling caps too.
Oh and welcome to AK there are a good bunch of folks here.

[radioactive]

, A good upgrade would to replace the output transformers with a little better ones too.

those opt's are small compared to the ones in my bell 2315(mono integrated)which also use the 6v6 for power tubes.i dont have a 2418 but i can tell you i like the way the 2315 sounds.

oh tubeBKLYN welcome to ak enjoy your stay.by the way what type of speakers are you using with the bell?

I'm restoring a SCott LK-72A.

nice amps:thmbsp: i've had both the lk72 and lk72b you'll be pleased once its done.

chris

[Endspec]

Radioactive I have been looking at the edcor outputs to put in mine (when I got some $ saved) I think it would help out alot as the bass is thin on these units, not bad for low level classical and some jaz though.

[tubeBKLYN]

Thanks for the response.

I am currently using a pair of IMF super compacts. I really like the way they sound. They seem to pretty subtle but I like that. And I find great instrument separation on the stuff I listen to. Granted, I don't have experience with a lot of really good stereo equipment and speakers but I find them very rewarding. Would love to hear suggestions from people though.

[tubeBKLYN]

I will finally be able to learn something about this old beauty.

I really appreciate it and I will be on here much more now.

Marc

[robert1]

Greeting AudioKarma people.

Can anyone help me identify this old Bell amplifier?
Thanks,
Marc


I have the same type, except, mine has AM & FM tuners on it. it has the same knobs, chassis layout, output tubes & drivers. the differences are that it has separate dial scales for the AM/FM tuning as well as separate tuning knobs for each band. it has the ability to play AM on the left channel & FM on the right. it has a jack for a Multiplex adaptor as well.
in addition to using a 6CA4, it uses a 6V4 for a rectifier for the tuning sections. it pretty much is identical to yours, except, yours does not have any tuning sections.

[Endspec]

Robert1 I would like to see a pic of yours if possible, sounds interesting.

[robert1]

Robert1 I would like to see a pic of yours if possible, sounds interesting.

i will try to see if this works. i just took picture & i am posting them now.