Question on 9440

[ngccglp]

Hi,

May I know how much I should fork out for a properly working 9440 amp?

Is there any thing that I should look out for in the amp that may indicate that it is not working properly?

Thanks

[Zildjian]

I have a couple 9440A amps. One I inherited from a late friend who purchased it back in the day; looks beautiful, donno how it works today as I'm not using it, just power it up occassionally to try and keep the caps in good shape. I've been looking at eBay just about weekly for the last 8 years or so for 9440A's and other things and have only purchased one from there for just over $400 (I've been outbit probably 20 times!). I would have a hard time paying more than that for one unless I could go look @ it and have it tested because as Bfish said, you don't know how it truly performs other than "it powers up & sounds great..." which is the typical ebay description. I'd like to have two more 9440A's, then I'd be happy (honest guys I would....), but as I said before, I'd have a hard time paying much more than $400 or so for one. The most I've seen one go for on eBay was $650 or so (Feb. 2004), and that one went so high just because it looked like it was brand NEW (it really did!), and it still had the original box! Best looking one I had ever seen on eBay. Again I'll echo Bfish, I think the best way to get an old heavy beast like the 9440A is not via the mail unseen/untested but rather old hifi shops or just somewhere you can go pick it up & look at it.
Brad

[ngccglp]

Thanks guys.

Judging from the response. He did hook up the amp to a hybrid consisting of JBL Apollo (bass), 511/802 and 075 bullet. Sounded very muscular and can control the bass very well. I could hear lots of details too. But asking price is way higher than those mentioned here. Will try to ask for a more reasonable offer.

[bfish]

In 1975, Altec's "discounted" price to the GSA for a 9440A was $999. Up until a few years ago, one could refer to the old advertised price lists as a comparative guide for pricing used gear. Nowadays in the hyped and often-misinformed eBay-controlled market, where the color of an item's label can drastically affect it's price, such guides are fairly useless, as some items fetch many times what they originally sold for, while others can't get a bid. Sadly, this forum and others have been (ab)used by some to manipulate that market for personal gain.

Having watched eBay for some time, I'd say that 9440s claimed to be working have sold in the range of $400-600. For some, "working" means when you power it up, the panel lights come on, and it doesn't trip any circuit breakers. None of the ones I've seen have given any actual performance test data, at best, they claimed to have hooked up a source and speakers, and it sounded great. If possible, it would pay to hire a qualified shop to check out a potential purchase, just like you would a used car.

Merely looking at an amp will tell you very little of its condition, but may give some valuable clues to it's history. I'd look for one that appeared to have been recently removed from a working, professional environment, such as a stadium or auditorium, with the rack handles, fans, and GROUNDED power cord intact. If on eBay, what the seller says (or doesn't), and their feedback from other buyers (read it!) is all you have to go on. Even a good one might not make it to you in that condition, 9440s are beasts to properly pack and ship. Request (and pay for) a triple-wrap of 1" bubble-wrap in a fitted, heavy box, shimmed w/cardboard as needed to make a tight fit. Foam peanuts and foam sheets are worthless for shipping anything heavier than paper plates, and IMO should be outlawed entirely. Finding one near enough that you could go pick it up would be a plus.

[cclark65]

and I just sold one of mine a while back for about 400...I still have some left. One is in pretty good condition, so if anybody is interested, I'll hook it up, check it out, and we can work out a deal.

I have 2 of them with the blue lights, I think I'll keep them for my own studio though! If I recall correctly, the one I have left that I am willing to sell has the lights with the lavender hue to them.

And sorry to turn this into a marketing message, but if you are looking for one and I have one to get rid of...why not!