Let’s Unbox & Build A Heathkit Stereo Pro-Series Preamplifier • P1

In 1980, Stereo Review said the Pro-Series AP-1800 preamplifier, “does practically everything one could want, and does it to perfection.” In this series, we’ll build the kit and test its performance when complete. Introduced in 1978, Heathkit’s Pro Series components promised that in performance, specifications and sound reproduction, they’d rank with the finest stereo components available anywhere.
Introduced in 1978, Heathkit’s Pro Series components were all rack-mount compatible and by 1982, the series included…
The AJ-1600 tuner with Dolby FM noise reduction.
The AP-1800 preamplifier.
The AD-1703 equalizer.
The AE-1705 EIA standard rack.
The AD-1706 active audio processor.
The AD-1702 variable electronic crossover.
The AD-1701 graphic output indicator.
The AA-1600 125 watt per channel amplifier.
And the mammoth 250 watt per channel AA-1800 amplifier.
Suprisingly, the high-end pro-series components were introduced around the time Heathkit was purchased by Zenith, a company that was far more interested in Heath’s computers than audio kits. Still, the pro series stuck around for a while, but by 1986, about seven years after the pro-series was introduced, Heathkit stopped offering stereo kits in their catalogs altogether. They came back briefly in the 1988 catalog, but these were components developed by Harmon Kardon and not true Heathkits. By 1990, these disappeared also and by 1992 Heathkit stopped kit production entirely.
Unboxing a vintage Heathkit unbuilt NOS preamplifier kit.
#electronicsrepair #stereo #stereorepair #preamplifier

[@cdavidhord]

You never cease to amaze me. Didn't see this episode coming. Thank you again!

[@zooker7507]

I built one of these along with the aa-1600 amp back in the 80's. It was so exciting to complete it and use it. It's still works today.

[@sonotdown998]

Sweet. Also, coolest “unboxing” video ever.

[@mcsniper77]

Heathkit was so cool. Lets hope it moves back to its glory days.

[@RadioHamGuy]

Very nice! I used to assemble a lot of Heathkits and it was so much fun. Sure miss them, you were lucky to find this nice kit. Lot of fun watching, thank you!

[@Acein3055]

This was USA quality at it's best. I have built some Heathkit projects and they all work as they were designed.

[@johnjacob757]

I have an AP 1800 i use every day. It is wonderful. Well made.

[@joelhornung4459]

I built an AR1515 in 1977, sad that I sold it, it was a fabulous machine

[@Greebstreebling]

They were great kits and available here in the U.K.. I built the FM-4U tuner in 1969. It's now sat on the shelf above my computer. I bet if I changed the electrolytics it would still work just fine. :) :) I wouldn't mind betting also that there's a software version of it available which you could use on a computer - no charm, no joy of tuning it in or building the dipole aerial out of welding rods, how times have changed.

[@joeG9100]

We love Heathkit I built many of them including an AA640 200Wx2 amp that I still have. A nos kit like that is a great find. However electronic parts are much better today than in 1980. Electrolytic capacitors were not great then and as i found out and the heath original axial capacitors are hard to come by. Things have changed. Resistors suck too. The mechanical parts have changed also the old resistor pots are long gone, along with their noise.However that kit is a great treasure once completed it will be a great asset to any home system. Thanks for the video.

[@ripjones5294]

Thoroughly enjoyed coming across this channel. I was born and raised in Atlanta, where there just happened to be a Heathkit store. I built several kits for myself, including a 25" color television -- GR-2001, which is still in my garage -- me trying to figure what to do with it. I also built several of the store display kits, including a 19" Zenith television, as well as some stereo gear. I DID build the AA-1800 monster amplifier -- 250 watts a channel. I still have a scope multmeter attachment that is unbuilt. Yell, if you would be interested.

[@pasha12343]

What a treat , would love to build that . 👍🙂

[@ScottGrammer]

I envy you getting to build that. I built Heathkits when I was a teenager. Never any of the more expensive stuff like that, but I did build a shortwave radio, digital clock, and a couple of other items. I miss Heathkit, but I understand why there are few kits like this anymore. Unlike in my day, the average American is just too stupid to build such a kit. Blame smart phones and modern educational ideas for that.

[@buddypvaz124]

Respect to this gentleman who took the time and the effort to present this rare opportunity to us. But I have to say that I am disappointed in his decision not to assemble the kit as instructed in the manual. I can not stay invested in the project after he decided to replace the original Nishicon capacitors with new ones. I thought the whole point of the project, which caught me, was to build this rare unopened Heathkit and document it. That would have been elegant.

[@crooner2007]

The parts are higher quality than what you would find in a typical Sansui or Pioneer. Only Accuphase would be comparable in the Japanese stereo field. Nice glass epoxy boards and ceramic wafer switches!

[@don7680]

Really nice kit! You tested the blue 6K uF backwards after explaining the polarity difference.

[@jamesmdeluca]

Greetings: I built a 25" heathkit color tv in 1975 with my wife who built modules once I taught her to solder. That small red plastic tool is used to hold mostly 6-32 1/4" nuts while starting screws opposite the psrt being secured. Some folk have trouble with small parts. The other end holds smaller 4-40 nuts for D connectors.

[@loricastro3772]

I agree with you ... I would also change all capacitors!

[@randyc8171]

You hooked up the first capacitor you tested backwards.

[@wayneheigl5549]

how dare you have the joy of building that heath kit . i hope you paid big bucks to get it. i bid on that preamp kit about two years ago and the creep that out bid me paid big for it. all i can say is i had fun driving the price up knowing i could never get it. i love to see you playing with all the parts, be careful you will lose some of