Folks,
Over the weekend I bought a radio, and as I was picking it up, the lady asked if I would be interested in a HH Scott 299B tube amp. I've been considering buying a vintage amp for myself, but I don't know a lot about vintage brands, models, and especially prices. Anyway, I went and looked at it. The amp is in a "virgin condition", untouched, with all original tubes, etc and working/playing. She is asking $500 for it. I thought that was too high, but googling shows a wide range: from $300 to $1600... What do you think?
Thanks, Paul

$500 is high for an unrestored one - it probably needs capacitors...

Tom is right. That is at least double what it should cost. In perfect cosmetic condition, it is worth about max of $300. But as Tom said, it needs coupling capacitors, electrolytic capacitors and the bias bridge needs to be replaced. Now I know you said it plays. But it is like a time bomb, and any moment, it could damage or destroy the transformers.

The 299B is an excellent amplifier. One of the best really. This is one of mine:

And the bottom after being restored. Bias supply is replaced and paper capacitors. You will notice that I do not use boutique capacitors. Those yellow ones may not look as nice as the American Radionic Ceracap capacitors that came in many Scott amplifiers. But they certainly work well...

Always sharp-looking work, Don. Congratulations .

Paul, I agree with Tom and Don that the asking price is too high, but it might be worthwhile to see if she's open to negotiation. It can't hurt.

Good luck and Merry Christmas, Larry

Thanks Larry, Merry Christmas to you as well. I only wish I could get to the bench and work on some tube audio stuff. But for the last few months it was selling mom's home and now, boxes and boxes are piled here to go through.

But I am listening to an LP on the Scott LK-72 with JBL L-100 speakers (free, gift from a friend; they were going to GoodWill ) George Wright "Merry Christmas" HiFi Records R-706 (1956) Stereo. From the album jacket: "The master recording was done on an Ampex 350 Magnetic Tape Recorder at 15 IPS using Scotch type 111-A Magnetic Recording Tape. To effectively cover all sounds, the organ was miked with two Altec M-11 microphone systems using type 21-C condenser microphones and a model C-12 AKG (Austrian make) acoustically variable condenser microphone. Tape to disc transfer employed an automatically variable pitch Scully lathe with heated stylus Westrex feedback cutting head."

Sorry to go OT, but hey, I am using a Scott amplifier and am willing to answer any questions that the OP has. I have the entire 299 Scott line as well as many other models as well.

Thank you very much for your replies and advice...

I just visited a friend who owns a 299C, among other Hi-Fi tube gear. He set it up for me to listen to on JBL L100 speakers. According to him, this is the best combination of an amp/loudspeakers. And I was blown away!!! Don, I now know exactly how you feel listening to it. Your other comments about Scott amps, including 299, plus the pics in this thread make me want this amp even more!!! I will call the lady tomorrow to see if she's willing to come down in price. If not... THE HUNT IS ON!!!
Again, thank you very much for the comments.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year! Paul.

Paul, you most likely know but here is the 299 lineup.

299 and 299B used the 7189 output tube. Then Scott changed to the 7591 with the 299C. But they continued with their 7189 based amplifiers with the 222C. That was followed by the 222D.

But if you are into the 7189 amplifiers, the 222C/222C/LK-48/LK-48B are fine amplifiers. If you wish to go up a little in output, the 7591 amplifiers will provide about 33-35 watts RMS per channel.

The original 299 was ~ 17 Watts RMS per channel ending up with the LK-48 and 222C/D being about 22 watts RMS. And those later amplifiers had huge output transformers. Can't tell you how many I have received with the chassis bent downward in the middle by the weight of the transformers (because of poor packing ). If you can get the price down a little on the 299B, it is an great amplifier and easily restored for daily use.

Keep us posted... Please!

Don,
I am not a hi-fi guy, and know very little about the high-end vintage amps, so your brief but extremely detailed description of the lineup is a godsend!!! Thank you very much.
I would not be able to distinguish between a 7189 and 7591 amps by listening to them even if my life depended on that. I guess such skill might come with practice, but I am worried it might become an expensive addiction . If I can't get reasonable price for the 299B I mentioned, I'd be looking for either 299B or C. My home office is only 12x14, so even 17 watts RMS should be plenty for quality listening. Come to think of it, I will also need a pair of loudspeakers as well... Oh boy, I'd better get ready selling a few of my radios...
I will keep you posted as to how it turns out.
Thanks, Paul.

Don, your 299 is gorgeous (drool, slobber!)

* * * * *

As for the 299 that is being offered for sale . . . take a good look at the machine. She probably won't let you take it apart, so from the outside--

(1) Do all the output tubes look silvery on the top? Lack of silvering or whiteness (ugh) indicates a bad tube, and possibly bad components surrounding the tube.
(2) Look for oxidation on the chassis and RCA jacks on the rear. Since the set is allegedly "virgin," this may be subtle.
(3) Make sure the unit has all original knobs. Make sure that the frontpanel is in good shape. No scary scratches or abrasions.
(4) Is the chassis rectangular and even? -- or is the chassis slightly bent. Look for dinged corners on the frontpanel. In short, was this dropped? Often these units have a crooked chassis around the transformers. The more crooked the chassis, the harder the life the set has had.
(5) Does the set come in a wooden box like Don's?
(6) Since the set runs, ask to hear it. Listen for noise (static) through the speakers with no signal applied. With whatever music source is available, listen to find out if left and right channels have equal volume.
(7) Does it have touchy switches and noisy controls? If it doesn't then very likely it has been serviced recently. Ask who did this, and what did they do?
(8) If it is absolutely, totally, spotlessly clean, be very cautious. They are not naturally spotless. This indicates a serious cleaning operation, which, unless done by a real pro, can damage the gear. We had a Scott 399 come in for service in 2008 that was destroyed by a bath in a solvent tank.

Offer $300 hard, cold cash.

Fred
owner
Classic Audio Repair