1951 Vega Commander model 51

[xtian]

An amazing specimen crossed my bench today. So new looking, I thought it was a reissue, until I realized it's 73 years old!

Pasting my notes:

All original. Speaker code date 1951. Filter caps are shot—replaced all electrolytics, along with dropping resistors. Replaced 2-prong power cord with 3-prong (supplied), properly earthed to chassis. Found 3A fuse, replaced with 2A. Found broken 470K mixing resistor; replaced. 1273 preamp tube is moderately microphonic; no action taken. Cleaned pots and tightened all fasteners. Channels can be jumpered. Cathode biased power stage is not bypassed. 353 B+, 348 plates, 318 screens, 12.5 cathode, 203R cat resistor, 32mA each =~ 75%, 6.48vAC heaters.

Sounds great! Nice breakup. Super quiet at idle.

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[maxkracht]

That thing looks killer. I'm usually not a fan of the alligator, but this one is charming. Not swapping out the coupling caps?

[xtian]

Not swapping out the coupling caps?

No, they seem to be holding ok. Can caps were shot.

[Phil_S]

The 1273 tube? Took a bit of persistence. There are many viable substitutes. The condition of that amp case is not to be believed!

[maxkracht]

by xtian » Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:43 pm

maxkracht wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:08 pm
Not swapping out the coupling caps?
No, they seem to be holding ok. Can caps were shot.

I wonder how much difference in climate affects paper cap lifespan. We get approximately two weeks of nice weather here, yearly, with very little consistency. I replace those on sight, most being horribly leaky or visibly damaged. Your caps are probably in the fresh, never frozen, category and spent a lifetime in a climate-controlled closet.

[Reeltarded]

It's very nice!

Max, I wonder abiut caps vs climate all the time and I have become superstitious because it seems more related to the spirit world than anything. heh

Just like use, I think ambient temp cycles make them go longer, but also colder climates with less humidity fix them in a way they can be reformed more often.. it is so hard to know exactly.

[xtian]

With Trainwrecks, we marvel at the unused triode. With this amp, I am amazed at the UNBYPASSED POWER TUBE CATHODE! This amp is waiting to be unleashed. And the speaker is terribly inefficient.

[Reeltarded]

hah! Losses are the best.. the brevity as audible soul, you know.

And they say track it direct we'll replace it. No. We will not. We will adore it.

Unused triode? Mmm.. I.. dunno.