8mm Forum: B&H amplifier

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Posted by Robin Jansen (Member # 4212) on 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.

Posted by Simon McConway (Member # 219) on 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.

Posted by Robin Jansen (Member # 4212) on 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?

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on 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.

Posted by Robin Jansen (Member # 4212) on March 24, 2014, 01:11 PM:

Thanks Paul, very clear.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on 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.

Posted by Robin Jansen (Member # 4212) on 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.

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on 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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