Win This Heathkit AA-1219 Amplifier! • P3: About The Build • Testing Components • Bench Tests • Demo

I've got too much stuff and it’s time to start giving some away. Subscribe to my KZbin channel and leave a comment in any of my videos for a chance to win this 1980s Heathkit AA-1219 amplifier. I'll pick a random winner after the kit is built. That's right, it's an unbuilt kit. And in this series I'll unbox it, build it, test it and give it away.
Here are the topics covered in this video and time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:59 Transformer Bath
1:27 Transformer Testing
1:41 Polishing The RCA Phono Jacks
1:50 Cleaning The Controls With Nutrol
1:57 Testing The Controls
2:02 Testing The Electronic Components
2:27 Replacing Electrolytic Capacitors
2:34 A Brand New Capacitor Tests Faulty
2:49 Why I Chose A Safety Capacitor
3:38 Heathkit’s Strange Test Procedure
4:33 Final Build Steps
4:40 Long Endurance & Listening Tests
5:02 Bench Testing (Wattage, THD, Frequency Response, Noise, IMD, SNR)
5:46 Your Last Chance To Win The Amp
6:23 Giveaway Rules & Amp Phono Section Demo
To see all the videos in this series, please click:
• Heathkit AA-1219
To learn more about safety capacitors, please click:
• Dynaco SCA-80Q Amp Kit...
To visit my Amazon Shop, please click:
www.amazon.com/shop/fluxconde...
#giveaway #stereorepair #stereoamplifier

[@mikewater1958]

Nice assembly job. Very thorough with your testing of old components.

[@tuyu8627]

I wish i had access / knowledge to projects like this when growing up. You did a great job. Thank you for sharing your knowledge especially about the safety capacitors

[@donsquires951]

I built Heathkits as a teenager in the early 70s. Thanks for trip down memory lane.

[@yvesangus7569]

Good comment regarding the safety capacitor! Thanks!

[@Magic-Enlightenment]

Great 👍🏻 sounding amp 👍🏻 nice tone. Like the attention to detail testing and replacing components where appropriate

[@robertdiffin9136]

I built the Heathkit AA29 back in the early ‘70’s as a young teenager.

[@Enigma758]

My dad once built a Heathkit TV. I remember the circuit boards were on pull out drawers for easy maintenance!

[@FluxCondenser]

Those color TV Heathkits were epic! Never built one, but I’ve heard they required quite the commitment.

[@jesusponce2]

I need this amp. With an valve preamp must be fabulous! And his appareance IS a perfect couple for my old turntable

[@chucklang968]

Great Job, really enjoyed watching.

[@DavidThompson-et8kk]

It looks wonderful! Heathkits take me back to my youth.

[@bear1920]

I envy the guys like you that have the knowledge to build and or repair the vintage stereo gear just not enough to learn for myself. Thank you!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks bear1920. I’m glad you get some enjoyment from watching others on youtube. I find myself watching videos myself on all sorts of subjects that interest me, but that I also have no interest in actually doing myself. KZbin is great for that.

[@jeffberwick]

Amazing that you were able to find an un-built Heathkit and recreate that fun building experience! It looks really nice.

[@johnnytorres1215]

Great information. Love all your videos. I would be interested to see more on vintage speakers. Bozak, Atec, etc.

[@richeastmain4031]

When I was 12 years old (I’m now 65) I built a Heathkit AM/FM portable radio which I still have and use daily. I loved going through the HealthKit catalogs and checking out all the really cool stuff they had.

[@FluxCondenser]

Fantastic! So glad to hear you’re still using that Heathkit radio! Thanks for sharing.

[@Paul-microp11]

Oh my, reminds me of the times I was repairing B/W vacuum tube TVs to make pocket money. Excellent video, thanks!

[@tiempodefiesta1]

impresive all the time required and all the test made, congrats

[@davide.ercolano]

When I saw it, I was immediately amazed at how beautiful it is!

[@brianst.pierre6566]

That’s a great looking amp. Thanks for putting it out there.

[@6StringPassion.]

I wish I still had my SCA80Q and Dynaco A25XL speakers. I miss those a lot now.

[@michaelmski5421]

I broke my back while in the Marines, spent better part of a year in Balboa Naval hospital and eventually recovered. While in the hospital, I built this amp as a gift for my mother; she only had a small kitchen radio at the time. When I got home, I added a FM tuner front end and built a couple of speaker cabinets with my dad's table saw. It was a small gift but special to her. She passed a couple years ago. I think of her whenever I see Heathkit.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks for sharing your memories, Michael. Very nice.

[@gregvance5727]

I have wanted to build this amp for years

[@squizsquires6247]

Very SNAZZY indeed.Neat as a pin and boosted performance.Brilliant. Don't know that Heathkit kits were readily available in Australia but that sure looked a fun build! Happy new year.Peace.

[@stricm3]

Testing new components? Wow! You are very thorough!

[@FluxCondenser]

I’ve learned the hard way, Michael!

[@nathanhetzel3330]

My uncle used to build stereos when he was growing up. He used to play sound effects on his block where he lived to scare the neighbors. The police used to show up on more than one occasion. One time he played cannons from the 1812 Overture.

[@FluxCondenser]

Ha, everyone needs a crazy uncle like that in their lives!

[@smoncol12]

Like the video. Never heard of this kit until now.

[@donsquires951]

I built Heathkits as a teenager in the late 60s and early 70s. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@FluxCondenser]

My pleasure, Don. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@polishdawg4283]

Wow that looks like a sweet amp for a small area setup.

[@richardoljace6763]

I built the Heathkit AR-1500 stereo receiver as a teenager. Your video brought back some great memories!

[@hifihappiness6387]

That is a beautiful example of vintage hifi gear. Nicely done!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Hondo. Much appreciated!

[@ianbutler1983]

I loved Heathkits as a kid. I would get annoyed if we had to go visiting or were having guests on Christmas Day because it cut into my kit-building! I can't believe people received these lits and did not build them-amazing. Thanks for the video, it is fascinating.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks for sharing your Christmas Heathkit memories, Ian! Love it.

[@aariew]

My father built one of these in the 70s and gave it to me during the 80s. Wonderful memories.

[@FluxCondenser]

Great to hear that. Thanks for sharing the memory. Do you still have the amp?

[@aariew]

@@FluxCondenser unfortunately, no. I lost track of it a long time ago.

[@jimcypher]

The home "hi fi" I grew up with was a Heathkit component system my father built. Great memories!

[@FluxCondenser]

Cyph! Glad to hear from you. And thanks for sharing the memories!

[@TeslaTales59]

I do remember building the "test kits" on many Heath's! I always saved them- Something I built once has a tiny meter inside. Save those lamps- not common anymore.

[@FluxCondenser]

Absolutely, Martin. The winner will receive the test assemblies along with the amp and I’ll encourage whoever wins to hold on to everything for years to come.

[@dougvandegrift2724]

I am a new hobbyist in this field. I have some old vintage stuff I want to dive into fixing and I find your channel very informative and yes...entertaining.

[@sircrashalot55]

I just built a Heathkit 60MHz Triple Trace Oscilloscope. I always hit estate sales looking for unbuilt Heathkit kits.

[@OrionBful]

Hope whoever gets the amp ,appreciates it ,seems to be a good little amp .I personally have a the mc 2105 (think you did work on one before)and have had some work done to it . I also bought a hafler 200 which was broken , if had your skill would repair it , I also have a few other amps not working ,brother gave me an Akai ,inherited a fisher amp not sure how good it is but is also not working ,it turns on and some lights are working ,no sound .My only HealthKit experience was when I was in early twenties a friend was encouraging me to learn electronics and he bought me the books and circuit boards to experiment on but for some reason it never happened .I still have the books and have recently been studying them but stopped again,maybe someday will be able too put sometime into it .Actually he bought the hafler 200 amp and the preamp ,the 110 model and am using it with the mc2105.I was told the hafler 110 is good sounding but am wondering if I should get a better preamp to match the 2105 ,any thoughts would be appreciated .Take care

[@CrazyHorse74]

I'd love to have it. I have a pair of Dynaco a25's for it. It would be a daily driver in my home. 😁 👍

[@paul36uk]

I remember the heathkits being advertised in radio magazines from the 70s

[@ntb8067]

This was a great series, I have great memories of building Heathkits, thanks for helping with my memories!!!

[@robertdiffin9136]

I’m loving those little testers you’re using. Checking if they’re in your Amazon shop.

[@FluxCondenser]

The Peak Atlas ones? Yes, they should be listed there. They’re great little devices. I have a nasty habit of dropping them, though, as they’re so small. So far they’ve stood up to the abuse.

[@mr-meek]

My grandfather was an engineer at Heathkit and I grew up surrounded by their equipment. I didn't appreciate what we had until it was gone and only recently, many years later, I've begun building and collecting them myself. If RNJesus favors me there's a home waiting for that AA-1219 on the shelf next to my other kits ;-) Either way, thanks for what you're doing. You've taught me a lot!

[@FluxCondenser]

Mike, wow. Your grandfather was an engineer at Heathkit? I would have really enjoyed that, myself. I’ve been throwing coals in the Random Number Jesus machine in preparation for it’s imminent startup. Good luck!

[@dondrewecki1909]

Knowledge and thoroughness = excellence, as usual with Mr. Flux.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thank you, Don. Truly appreciate that.

[@geaeliska858]

I've come to enjoy watching your videos. The comic twist that you put in them seems to get me to laugh and sometimes where I'm in tears. I'm currently restoring a 1950s Westinghouse AM/FM Table Top radio. Again always a good video.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Grae for the positive comment. Much appreciated and good luck on your Westinghouse!

[@motoxdudeNV-UT]

Did a few Heathkit projects back in the day! Great way to bond with Dad!

[@FluxCondenser]

Great to hear that, moto. Sounds like some good memories.

[@tremolux13]

I am digging that vinyl! Going have to find me a copy. Great build!

[@FluxCondenser]

Yeah, it's funny. That album is really meant to be used for musicians and others to sample beats from, but I often enjoy listening to it beginning to end. Solid recording techniques and sound engineering as well.

[@marka1986]

That's a nice looking amp and sounds good too. Really don't need much more power than that.

[@FluxCondenser]

Agreed. For a modest size room, at modest listening levels with modestly sensitive speakers, 20 watts per channel can be more than satisfying.

[@stevesweb]

Very nice video. I always wanted every Heathkit I saw advertised. The amount of knowledge you have is amazing.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Steves Web!

[@parrygyngell]

I always dreamed of getting a Heathkit when I was a kid in the 70’s .. only managed a 2nd Hand SB-101 when I got the 26th novice license issued when I was 13. Thanks a lot for giving me a surrogate experience 🥳

[@FluxCondenser]

Ha! My pleasure, Parry!

[@legione1capone]

Would love the opportunity to own this amp, It's gorgeous!

[@donthompson5205]

Just came across your channel I find it very entertaining

[@grahamamorrisonsr1135]

As a freshmen in college in 1969, I built the AA15 integrated amp, rated at 50 WPC. I took the completed amp to the MacIntosh Clinic, and it tested better than the Macs. Pretty cool.

[@FluxCondenser]

I believe it!

[@bob1842ra]

Really a nice little Amp, and I enjoyed the build process. Happy new year!

[@FluxCondenser]

Happy new year to you, Stefan! Glad you enjoyed the videos.

[@MODAC]

Fantastic! Nice little amp.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, MOD!

[@billd9667]

I once thought (at 19 years of age) that I could build a Heathkit receiver while sharing a bedroom with a friend in his parents home. I had no tools, test gear, workbench or skills. I asked my brother if he would lend me the money. He turned me down and I’m glad he did. I would have never completed it or would have mucked it up for sure - perhaps both! I ended up with a KLH Model 35 system that I bought with my own monies and loved it. Fond memories…

[@FluxCondenser]

Yes, that sounds like a “sound” decision not to build the receiver back then given the limitations. The KLH Model 35 system was a great choice. KLH is another brand that’s near and dear to my heart.

[@billd9667]

The KLH "compact" systems were pretty amazing and a great entry into audiophiliia. When I saw that the 35 included a Dual changer, I was sold. I paid no mind to the speakers, but they were perfect with the 20w amp onboard and could really fill a room. It wasn't until recently that I found out just how beloved the KLH 6 loudspeakers included in the package were. The tuner was also quite good. I miss that unit, but had to give it up when I joined the Navy anyway.

[@ABC-rh7zc]

That amp has a really classic vintage look. Nice!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, A B C. It sure is handsome in its simple way, for sure.

[@mikedupuis9723]

I would love to win this amp, nice job.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Jumped straight to this Latest video after introducing myself to your channel through your Bozak speakers videos! Amazing content and the final sound demo was great, so much dynamics!

[@mastervelvetthunder69]

Well built amplifier

[@lvcid_]

Nice and thorough build! Can't wait to see what you build next..

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, lvcid! Well, me and another KZbinr have something fun in the works that we’ve planning for a while now. Stay tuned!

[@petersansome100]

Great looking amp! Thanks for the video.

[@FluxCondenser]

My pleasure.

[@kevinanderson7613]

Wow, what a great opportunity! Thanks for the chance to win.

[@jameskroeger3730]

I have an old Lafayette stereo 10B amplifier that I received for my 10th birthday in the early 70’s. Style wise the Heathkit kind of reminds me of a higher class version of that amp. Power wise the AA-1219 is significantly more powerful as the Lafayette only measures at 2.2 watts per channel rms. I’m sure the heathkit would sound really nice driving my Klipsch RP-600m’s. Thanks for the great video!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, James. And thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@jaycronen]

I'm new to your channel but I'll be back! Excellent video very professional and original how refreshing! Plus I like your idea of someone being able to win this super-cool amp and Heathkit no less damn!

[@brianjuffs4662]

Always love your vids great production and interesting gear. Love to win the amp.

[@MyLadiesMix]

We are all winners when we Subscribed to your Channel Thump's Up

[@FluxCondenser]

Aw, thanks, G’s!

[@harveysmith8756]

So impressive I'd love to win

[@BillboardPenguin]

That kit couldn't have ended up in better hands. Well done.

[@FluxCondenser]

Ha! Well, thanks for that. Much appreciated.

[@helichuck1]

WOW, I just love to build!!

[@WireEd1966]

As of 2019 Heathkit is back in operation with a new website and products.

[@MichaelLivingston-me]

This is great. The boards look like epoxy instead of cheaper type boards. You did a nice job on the build.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Michael. Yes, I agree. I was impressed with the boards and all the other elements of the kit as well.

[@Farquhartz]

In the late 70’s or early 80’s I had picked out a Heathkit AA-29 integrated amp kit, assured that my soldering skills were just fine. I could never actually buy the thing, so I assume there was something inside who knew better. This is a pretty little amp.

[@robertdiffin9136]

Thanks for the nu-trol tip. I wasn’t aware of that product.

[@FluxCondenser]

Yeah, my favorite product for control cleaning. For plastic controls or Faders, though, I prefer F5.

[@jayrektorik1047]

Great looking amp!

[@rodvargas2267]

Excellent video amigo, it's amazing to me that you even found this unassembled kit .

[@cltmuscledude66]

This was a great find- an unbuilt amp that you were able to build, test and play successfully!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, and I have quite a few other videos on similar kits and lots more in the works. Stay tuned.

[@FAKECARL]

Wow beautiful

[@marcparsons1726]

Used Heathkit power supply and amps for my first electronics job in 1991

[@FluxCondenser]

What was your first electronics job, Marc?

[@madcow1048]

This would make a fine addition to my retro kit!

[@FluxCondenser]

Good luck, Matt!

[@paulmayo3703]

Great job on the building of this. You did a great job, as I am very picky on build quality. Bought it from your winner on ebay with all of the paperwork. Had an issue with the front panel switches when it arrived as they were jammed - a little dexoit took care of this. Great little amp have it in my shack/lab 73 W4MAY

[@eriklarson7026]

Love the kit it is wonderful

[@jaut-76]

Amazing build quality whoever wins this amp will have a Beauty

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Jaut.

[@HAUNTED-HAM]

Great video, love the amp!

[@2packs4sure]

Turned out to be a nice unit !

[@FluxCondenser]

4sure!

[@christopherfast3527]

Nice! Some people would leave it in the box as a collectible. I was happy to see you build it as it was intended to be used!

[@FluxCondenser]

Glad you agree, Christopher. And I do have many unbuilt kits laying around as well.

[@rádiosantigos1958]

Nice demonstration! Thanks.

[@FluxCondenser]

You are welcome!

[@BobbyS1981]

Excellent work as usual. Given the age I would have shotgunned the electrolytics as well. Cheap insurance to ensure trouble free service. 🤞

[@FuZeTacTiiKzZ]

great and informative vid as always! looking really good man!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Desro! Much appreciated.

[@MrElectrowhiz]

The tuner I have is either the 1219 or 1214. It has been a couple of weeks since I looked at it. It looks like this amp. Enjoy your videos.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Ben.

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

That thing sounds great. I would love to own it.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, FieldSweeper. Good luck!

[@kennethrossfeld5532]

Loved your videos on the pp-1800 preamp, I've been using one for years and it and my AA-1600 power amp have surprised many audio snobs. Although I'm sure at this point the caps should be checked. Keep up the great content

[@stevesilsby5288]

Nice videos. I love Heathkits; mine are mostly amateur radio products.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Steve. I never go into amateur radio much, but wish I had.

[@brucebuckeye]

Nice amp, great build, fun to watch!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Bruce!

[@jaut-76]

Interesting test using those lights. Heathkit always had interesting tests for you to perform

[@FluxCondenser]

They sure did. A bunch of ingenious people that developed these kits, for sure.

[@olradguy]

Sweet prize!!!

[@23chilled]

Nice kit. Don’t see many retro kits anymore. Seen a lot of the stk ic kits (fake stk) and class-d kits.

[@FluxCondenser]

Yeah, it's nice to work on something with discrete components and an honest class AB design.

[@johnnytheg]

Not surprised a new electrolytic cap failed. I had my vintage McIntosh tube preamp refurbished and one of the brand new electrolytic caps in that failed after a few months too.

[@FluxCondenser]

Wow. That’s disappointing. I hope your shop took good care of you.

[@johnnytheg]

@@FluxCondenser they did indeed. They replaced it and did another repair free of charge.

[@VanOrsdal]

Another great video,. Nice to see the extra work you put into this amp.

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, John.

[@VanOrsdal]

@@FluxCondenser you’re welcome.

[@dolby409]

Really great sounding amp, but I’m sure the great quality levels are due to your precise handiwork!

[@FluxCondenser]

It doesn’t hurt, but mostly due to those genius Heathkit engineers back in the day!

[@rig4365]

thank you for the opportunity. much appreciated

[@thomaskendall452]

Those were really nice amps. Nice build!

[@FluxCondenser]

Thanks, Thomas!