James Bongiorno and Ampzilla: The Wild Genius of High Power Hi Fi

Comments · 31

• DA

  @davidb.7223 · 2 weeks ago

  I bought and successfully assembled the original Ampzilla.  I was told I was only 1 of 2 people that built the amplifier without help.   Everyone that listened to it loved it.  I today listen to a refurbished Bicentennial (Red, White and Blue) Ampzilla.  THANK YOU JAMES!

  12

• DJ

  @DjJeffRush · 13 days ago

  I spoke to James in 2000. i had an SAE2201 that had blown.  He was offering a rebuild service.  He rebuilt the amp and added the servo circuitry.  it was an amazing piece.  We spoke about the state of the industry for a while. Wish i still had it.  Sold it and other pieces on Ebay when i hit a tough financial situation.

  5

• KA

  @karlsonkab51 · 2 weeks ago

  Loved  my Dynaco Stereo 400 kit - beautiful sound  - and later I went through many amplifiers;

  1

• AM

  @amazoidal · 2 weeks ago

  I taped my conversation with Jim about the Sumo Charlie tuner he built and I owned. He had an upgrade program for Charlie the Tuna(er) as it was called. I am one of the few that have the schematic for the Charlie Tuner.

  5

• BR

  @brettschermeister9389 · 13 days ago

  A Yamaha B2 was not made to drive low impadence speakers. It was made to sound like a tube amp, which it does, and to power 8 ohm speakers like the ns1000. It may only put out 100w, but those 100w are sweet sound.

  3

• CY

  @CyLanceDugoud · 11 days ago

  I own a G.A.S. Ampzilla amp  it was tested at 400 comfortable watts in a little sound shop in Pittston Pa. that was open to Docs friends at 4 in the morning...I donated 40 dollars to get the output transistors resoldered...the guy was so grateful for that 40 dollars he bought a turkey for Thanksgiving the next day..mi will never forget that night way back when stores were open all night

  3

• FI

  @fishbones2 · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  As a teen I always wanted an Ampzilla, but could not afford it on my income at the time. Then they went out of business. I later bought an Adcom GFA-555, rated 400 Watts per channel. 30+ years later and it still works great. Had to replace the power switch, because the inrush current destroys the contacts. I later installed a SSR that was controlled by the rocker switch. No more switch failures.

  4

• RO

  @RonHillier · 2 weeks ago

  I had an Ampzilla for a few years in the late 80's. It was the best amp I've ever had. I made a huge mistake selling it. I still have the Thoebe preamp and it still sounds great. If it needs recapped you'd never know.

  1

• AL

  @alnorman6846 · 2 weeks ago

  I like the 200 watt soldering iron to solder a small component in the heathkit tuner

  5

• ER

  @ericanderson2987 · 8 days ago (edited)

  I Bought 2 Sleeping Beauty MC Phono Cartridges after GAS went out of Business. &nbsp;Those 2 Cartridges lasted me over 30 Years. <br><br>I Wished l could of Afforded an Ampzilla Power Amplifer; l still have the original Advertisement and Audio Equipment Test Reports.<br><br>I already had a Rebuilt Marantz Model 7 Preamplifer and with Advice of an EXCELLENT Electrical Engineer, &nbsp;Bought a Sony TA-3200F Power Amplifier. &nbsp; That Amplifier Failed and is STILL in Garage of that Electrical Engineer. &nbsp;I NEEDED fast $$, so Sold the Marantz Model 7. &nbsp;I went on to get Adcom Preamplifer and Power Amplifiers, which l still have.

  1

• ZA

  @zachariavallickad7264 · 2 weeks ago

  1966 DINSDALE FULLY COMPLEMENTARY TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIER

• BA

  @basiljackson9318 · 2 weeks ago

  Fantastic amplifier and sound I own one built form his circuit published in popular electronics which is my prize possession. Your next story should be about South Western Technical Product Tiger 01.