ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Here the little story about my newest B&O acquisition. Probably interesting only for very few of you, real vintage fans and collectors.
Few months ago I was on the way to get the High Fidelity Stereo Amplifier 610 from a gentlemen from Denmark. I was not quick enough and device was sold already. But we had a very pleasant communication and the seller promised he would ask few friends of him if they could find another specimen of this amp or other devices from my "wanted list". Few weeks latter he wrote me back with good news. He offered me the Beolab 610 and 2 other B&O tube amps too. I was very happy to hear that one of those was the Type HF Amplifier (also known as 911 H44). The second one was one I never heard about, the Amplifier U22?! I tried to find any information on the internet about this model but there were neither pictures nor any technical details about it.What I've done? Of course I wrote Martin (dillen) an E-Mail and he confirmed that this was an "regular" B&O item. He sent me few pictures and even the schematics for it (thanks again Martin for all your support!). Here one of the pictures I got from Martin.
The pics I got from seller (actually from his fellow, an older gentlemen, who is selling out his collection) were not the best one and I couldn't know lot about technical and optical condition of them. But we could have agreed on price and I bought all 3 amps...Few weeks latter I got the first package. Wouhhh, that was the big one, with 2 older amps, weight ca. 30kg but very well packed.
Today I finally found some time and packed it out. Both amps arrived in good shape. I made few shots in my storage (unfortunately very bad light) and here they are.
And here few pictures of the second one (Amplifier Type HF, 911H44). The seller sent me even 2 sheets of matching veneer!
It will be for sure a big and long project to get them shining and sounding good again but with support of my good fellow Robert (and of course with helpful tips and docs from Martin) I hope it will be a successful one.The main reason to post this little story is at least to offer few pictures (and latter maybe technical details too) about this (for me) unknown and very rare amplifier U22 to the people who are eventually looking for it. I will post more details in the coming weeks and months.
Cheers!
Theomaster
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
THAT was really a nice piece!
Congratulations!
/***
http://tinyurl.com/qj9cjsf
Theomaster,
Wow. Have been looking forward to this thread a while now but what an interesting piece!Never seen or heard of the U22 before, but both amplifiers are really special. Well done, will follow with interest.
Ben
Hi,
The U22 dates from around 1948 and could be used in combination with a record player.
There are not many around. Very interesting find.
Rudy
so you finally really got it - nice to hear.
Is it already running?
Gunther
Congrats even Gunther woke up
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Very interesting and unusual amplifier.
Any room left in the warehouse for it
Hi Guys,
Thanks all for nice words.
@Rudy
Very interesting information about production year. I thought the U22 is from early 50's but obviously it is even older. I hope to find a stamp with production date inside of wooden case (once it comes to the workbench...). And, yes I know this pic with a Radiogram version of U22 from B&O catalogue. Of course I got it from Martin
@Gunther
As you can see, it is true, I got it
But no, it is not running, it will take some time because few other devices are in the queue before U22 and 911...
@valve1
As you can see on the last photo those 2 amps still found their place in the warehouse. But I would say, those were the last places and there are no more room left (I think I said this few times before ... )
Søren Mexico: Congrats even Gunther woke up
Soren,
some things happen behind the scenes
Still a little active at beoworld but mostly quiet by just reading...
Regards,
(have missing time for my repairs while watching yours )
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Hi,here the latest update of the project “U22”.After few projects finished, finally the U22 found its way to the workbench of the friend of mine, Robert.Here you can see few pictures of the interior of this old beast:
And we have already few problems / questions:Obviously this device was repaired in the past and some parts are not original anymore. In general this must not be the big issue if it is done well. But let’s say so, the parts are not exactly those which you are expect to find on the place they are But let’s go step by step.First problem and question: Robert things that the schematic I got from Martin (thanks again for that Martin!) is actually not matching the version of the device he has on his workbench. For example in the schematic there is a UAF42 in the preamp section and on this place in the device UCH21 can be found written direct on the chassis. Also some resistors and capacitors build in, which actually look as original and unchanged are not matching the values on the schematic.Is it possible that there were more than one version of this amp? Is there anybody who has by a chance a schematic of this device?The schematic I got from Martin is a drawn by hand (“handmade” version) and maybe somebody owns an original printed one?Also few good resolution pictures of the device could help a lot. Can anybody help? Is there actually another owner of U22 (whether Standalone or RG Version) here?Grateful for any help,Theomaster
Fascinating insight Theomaster.
Can't help with the request sadly but am following with keen interest!
Did you ever get anywhere with this amplifier Theomaster?
Hi Ben,
thanks for asking but unfortunately this project is still not finished
The wooden case was repaired professionally and the drawings for the new front signs were made (but still in the queue). The electronic can not be repaired because of missing parts. So without a matching donor (which of course will be very, very difficult to find) it stays at it is.
I have to look to find a company which will produce the 2 signs and after that the amp will be built together. It has to wait for the donor, sitting next to my few other valve amps
I will post few pictures as soon as amp is ready for the photo session
What is missing?
Martin
Dillen: What is missing? Martin
Hi Martin,
Unfortunately I can't tell you exactly which part is missing. The amp was at the workbench of my good fellow Robert, who is repairing all my Beos. As I already wrote above he told me that the schematic I got from you is actually not matching the version of the device I own. For example in the schematic there is a UAF42 in the preamp section and on this place in the device UCH21 can be found written direct on the chassis. Also some resistors and capacitors build in, which actually look as original and unchanged are not matching the values on the schematic we got from you. And there is a place in the chassis where it is obvious that a part is missing...
Your schematic is a drawn by the hand so maybe it is a "custom version".Is it possible that there were more than one version of this amp?
It would help a lot if somebody owns an original printed schematic...
But if you are interested Martin, I would be happy to send you this device for your expertise
The original UCH21 was replaced with UAF42 and transformer 973L48 was added to change the gramophone input from Micro Sapphire to Micro Magnet.Yours must be the older version, then.
Could you provide photos of the underside of the chassis, - and also of the area where a part seems to be missing?
Dillen: Could you provide photos of the underside of the chassis, - and also of the area where a part seems to be missing?
sorry for the delayed reply. The amp is still at Robert and he is at the moment very busy. As soon as he can find some time, he will take the pictures and I will post them here.
Thanks for your efforts,
here 2 pictures of the U22, of the underside and of the chassis.
Thanks,I can see the holes you've marked and I will give it some thought.But what is that potentiometer doing, sticking out the back between the sockets? Is it fastened like that from factory?
Double...
Finally I found somebody who would try to re-produce those 2 shields for the U22 amp as they are in pretty bad condition. To create a vector file for the production (eloxal) it would be nice to know which font type was used by B&O after the WW2 (the U22 amplifier was produced 1948 according to Rudy).
So anybody who can help with this information about the font type?
Thanks in advance.
Aqui esta à venda se ajudar.
Regardshttps://leilao.catawiki.pt/kavels/23192029-bang-olufsen-xxx-rare-b-o-tube-amplifier-forstaerker-u22-only-2-known-in-the-world-amplificador-a-valvulas
"only 2 known in the world!"
Not sure if it can be true but not bad if it is so. Tjan I have one of 2 😁
Anyway this one offered here looks little bit different as mine. At least wooden case has not the same shape...
I know of five (if I remember correctly) plus the one in the ad. That makes six.Most I have seen were sold as separate units, with their own complete cabinet etc.The one in the catawiki ad was apparently cut from a gramophone furniture, like the one Rudy showed earlier.Only the rear panel and the metal shield on the front panel is original. No other cabinet parts appears to be original, making the statement"The item is in original condition and all parts are there" just as untrue as "no info can be found on the web".
Could be interesting to snap it up and check what's in the position of the two vacant screwholes...