Pilot tube amps!!!!

**juniper** · November 2nd, 2011, 10:59 AM

I was looking on craigslist, and found an ad for a pilot console. I have been looking for a pilot sp-210 for awhile, after reading a 6 MOONS article, where after hearing one, he quickly sold his 9,000 ARC reference preamp.
So I end up meeting this lady and her phone will not stop ringing, so I decide to have her deliver it because someone might offer her more, although it is fairly priced from my initial inspection. So I bring it home and the next day start opening it up. I have in the past thought of doing this but the pieces were to nice to destroy. Not this one,!!!!! it is so ugly I think I am doing the world a favor. Sure enough, it says pilot sp 210 on the pre, it was so dark in her garage I couldnt see it on the golden face plate. Then I get to amplifier I start looking at it and it is gold in color also. Turns out it's a sa-260 which from what I have read, has about 40 watts per channel !!!!. I can't wait to have these things restorated!!!

**Altec Best** · November 2nd, 2011, 11:20 AM

Pictures,Pictures,Pictures !!!

**juniper** · November 2nd, 2011, 02:32 PM

Here are some pictures!!!

**Nipper** · November 2nd, 2011, 02:47 PM

WOW

**juniper** · November 2nd, 2011, 02:57 PM

Thanks Nipper!!!! they are very cool looking up close, hopefully they sound as good as they look???? If they Damage my ALTECS I will throw them out the window!!!!

**Nipper** · November 2nd, 2011, 03:23 PM

The dog loves old equipment.... I'll bring a net.

**RonSSS** · November 2nd, 2011, 03:28 PM

Nice find.
Going to have them restored? I hope you find someone good. As long as the iron is all ok, it should be easy. Shoot, they might even work as is if brought up slow on a variac.
What vintage? Specifics on the amp? Tubes used etc.
That is a project I'd love to tackle myself. But then I'm a tube head.
BTW....I know a guy......we are in Portland OR.

Ron

**juniper** · November 2nd, 2011, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by RonSSS

Nice find.
Going to have them restored? I hope you find someone good. As long as the iron is all ok, it should be easy. Shoot, they might even work as is if brought up slow on a variac.
What vintage? Specifics on the amp? Tubes used etc.
That is a project I'd love to tacle myself. But then I'm a tube head.
BTW....I know a guy......we are in Portland OR.

Ron

Unfortunetly, I have never even listened to a tube amp, and know nothing about electronics! I have just heard that they sound great with horn type speakers. I would hate to ship these so I am trying to find service locally in the Minneapolis/st.paul area. It has been difficult so far. I tried to use Van Alistine who have done some famous work, but they dont work on these type of tube amps. As far as tubes it was filled with telefunkins, mullards, and pilot specked tubes. EL34's and 12ax7's????