British and European amplifiers
The original site ran a separate British market page, mostly a feed of auction listings that has long since expired. What survives of its European side is smaller but worth a look: Leak of London, whose Point One amplifiers set the British standard for low distortion after 1945, and a rare Orthotone Emisonic amplifier said to have been built for HMV/EMI; Braun's design-led hi-fi from Germany; Telefunken and Philips valves; and a Loewe Opta set.
Older European equipment often runs on 220 to 240 volts and uses European valve names (EL34, ECC83, EL84) rather than the American numbers. The tube field guide has the cross-references.
H.J. Leak & Co.
H.J. Leak & Co., London: High Fidelity since 1934
Leak's early years, and the Point One amplifier the original page left out.
H.J. Leak & Co.
Leak TL/25 Plus Tube Amplifier, Boxed
A boxed pair that spent thirty years in an American closet.
Archive
Orthotone Emisonic EL34 Amplifier
A rare British ultra-linear EL34 amp, compared with the Leak TL/25.
Braun
Braun Design Collection, About 1,000 Pieces
A thousand pieces of Braun design from the Dieter Rams era, in one private collection.
Archive
Telefunken EMM 801 Tuning Indicator Tube
A sealed magic-eye tube, the inspiration for this site's logo.
Archive
Philips Miniwatt 4699 Tubes
A boxed pair of French-made Philips Miniwatt tubes.
Archive
Opta Loewe REN 904 Tubes, New Old Stock
Four boxed German tubes from Loewe, the Berlin radio maker.
Before you browse
Can I run a British or German amplifier on American mains?
Usually, once it is set up for it. Many European amplifiers expect 220 to 240 volts; check for a voltage selector first, and use a suitable step-up transformer if there is none. Never assume the previous owner left it on the right setting.
What are the American equivalents of European valve names?
The common ones are EL34 for 6CA7, ECC83 for 12AX7 and EL84 for 6BQ5. The tube field guide lists more.