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Topic: B&H amplifier

Robin Jansen
Junior
Posts: 18
From: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2014

posted March 23, 2014 01:30 PM

About 2 months ago I bought an B&H filmosound specialist 8399 at a local second hand store. The only thing I needed to do was free up and clean the needle bearing of the take up arm. After some research I wanted to know what amplifier it has. I thought an tube amplifier but after opening it up it turned out to be a transistor amplifier. Is it original or a replacement? To me it looks original.

Regards,

Robin.

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Regards,

Robin.

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Simon McConway
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1085
From: Doncaster, UK
Registered: Jun 2004

posted March 23, 2014 04:47 PM

There was a transistor upgrade amp that was sometimes fitted. The UK version of the 8399 I have has a valve amp fitted.

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Robin Jansen
Junior
Posts: 18
From: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2014

posted March 23, 2014 05:15 PM

Thanks Simon. Just another question, how can one tell if it is an UK version or any other which excists?

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Regards,

Robin.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted March 24, 2014 04:44 AM

Robin,
I don't think there is an easy way to tell if you have a UK market 8399 as they were made in Japan and probably were the same for the whole of Europe. One indication might be if you have a British made 110V transformer (GB Equipment or Rank). I believe the model started manufacture about 1964 with a valve (tube) amp and was not introduced to the UK until around 1968 with a valve amp. Later examples were transistor.

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Paul.

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Robin Jansen
Junior
Posts: 18
From: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2014

posted March 24, 2014 01:11 PM

Thanks Paul, very clear.

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Regards,

Robin.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted March 24, 2014 04:06 PM

The 8399 was introduced in 1965 and was for AC/DC mains and required no transformer. It and its later brother the 8636 were described as Maritime. At that time many ships only had DC supplies.

I have an 8636 and it has a valve amp. The amplifier chassis is at live potential and it's necessary to insert the speaker plug before turning on the amplifier. If done in the other order you blow a fuse.

My 8636 is a single case model. It has a small speaker mounted on a hinging panel that you use in situ or the whole "door" can be removed to be placed near the screen.

The speaker plug is a non-standard jack which is so designed so that a microphone jack plug cannot be inadvertently inserted.

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Maurice

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Robin Jansen
Junior
Posts: 18
From: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Registered: Mar 2014

posted March 24, 2014 04:31 PM

You say that the 8636 is a single case with a hinged speaker. Why has my 8399 a hinged speaker and is also a single case? May it have gotten a new case? I know thanks to sticker it was bought and serviced by a dealer of visual and audio equipment for educational purposes in Velp near Arnhem back in the day.

I am very happy with it and for the hours it ran (before I needed a new bulb), I enjoyed using it.

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Regards,

Robin.

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Paul Mason
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 540
From: Aldershot, Hampshire, UK
Registered: Nov 2013

posted March 27, 2014 06:07 AM

Robin,
I think all the 8000 series were available with an optional built-in speaker for classroom use. These can still be used with a separate large speaker if required. Incidentally transistor amplifiers can be identified by instant operation when powered up while valve amps require about a minute to warm up. The exciter lamp will also take time to light up. Here's one for sale in London on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bell-Howell-16mm-projector-Filmosound-Specialist-8399-speaker-manual-etc-/161253029575?pt=UK_Photography_VintagePhotography_VintagePhotoAccessories&hash=i tem258b6df6c7

[ March 27, 2014, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Paul Mason ]

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Paul.

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