Eight Watts a Channel
A hand-wired valve amplifier for an investor
The ask
Our seed investor is retiring from venture. He has a room at home just for records and has run the same amplifier since the 1980s. We'd like to give him the one he would build himself if he had the time. About $15k.
The gift
A single-ended triode stereo amplifier built to order in a small workshop, with one 300B valve per channel and the circuit wired point to point by hand rather than on circuit boards, its output taps set for his speakers. We have it delivered and set up in his listening room, ask the person who wired it to sign the build sheet, and send a wax-sealed card in the linen box.
Why it's extraordinary
The 300B valve was introduced in 1938 to amplify telephone signals and is still made today. One per channel gives about eight watts, enough for a room kept for records and a pair of efficient speakers.
The moment
The first record goes on the evening it is set up and plays to the end of the side with nobody leaving the room.
A curator replies within one business day.
