For Sale: FS or FT Ray Samuels B-52 near new (240v) PRICE REDUCTION

For sale is the legendary Ray Samuels Audio B-52 tube headphone amp/preamp. This amp was delivered to me in December 2010 so is only a few months old and is absolute mint condition. It is a 240v version (I am in Australia) and so suitable for Australia, Asia or Europe. I'm sure it could also be converted to 110-120v by Ray or your local technician if you live in the US or elsewhere. In addition to the stock tubes, I will also supply some NOS tubes I purchased for it, including Raytheons, vintage Tung-Sols, Brimars and Mullards, which cost over $500 in addition to the amp.

This amp really needs no introduction. It is one of the few acknowledged high points in headphone amplifier design. There aren't too many reviews because not too many of these are sold due to their high price (and they almost never appear in the second hand market). However, the enjoythemusic review can be found here: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1007/ray_samuels_emmeline_b_52.htm. I would suggest you read the complete review, but one of the conclusions was "There may be a better headphone amplifier out there, but I would be surprised".

There are also quite a few threads commenting on the B-52:
 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/288107/the-b-52-is-amazing

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/261983/the-audacious-b-52

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/308487/the-bomber-rsa-b52-devastation

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/216232/ray-samuels-b-52-arrival
 

This is a reluctant sale, and I am only selling because I just don't have room in my tiny apartment for a big two-box tube amp, which must occupy the top of the rack. I have very limited space and also a turntable which wants the top position. As I love the Ray Samuels sound, I would happily trade the B-52 for an Apache if anyone is interested, with an agreed cash adjustment.

The current price from Ray's website is US$5350, although this must have decreased since last year as I paid around $6000. As this is effectively a brand new unit, with no waiting time for Ray to build it, with about $500 of virtually unusued NOS tubes included, I am looking for US$4300 (now reduced to $3800) plus shipping, with payment by paypal (I will bear paypal fees) or bank transfer. Shipping may be a few hundred dollars to the US or Europe but I am happy to discuss contributing to the shipping cost if the price is agreed.

Feel free to ask any questions. Also please feel free to check my feedback on ebay (http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayI...edbackAsSeller), on head-fi (http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/3374/ross) and on Audiogon (http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fb.pl?user=Rossb).