[Takapuna]

Hello Mark,

I've stuck pretty much with valve sets in the past but all the good things said about the Hacker Hunter forced me to get one!

I fitted a pair of PP9s (from CPC; not a bad price considering the free delivery) and it works, drawing 20mA on VHF. Maybe I shouldn't be too surprised. First impressions are that it's very good and I can see why the Hunter has such a following. I did not listen for too long before stripping it for a good clean...couldn't help myself.

Details of my Hunter are:
Model Designation: Hacker Hunter VHF RP38A
Serial Number: 13676
Handle Type: One piece (No insert)
Grille Type: Pressed aluminium mesh, Hacker name embossed bottom right hand
DC Input: No
Headphone Socket: Yes
Scale: White with some Green lettering.
Loudspeaker: Elac, Grey painted with gold magnet
Tone Controls: Yes Silver with black skirt
All black Rexine covered.
A.209 Amplifier board.

I notice that according to your list it should have an insert in the handle. However, I can't see a serial number on the case to tie it absolutely to the chassis.

It has been fitted with a replacement volume control (47k Log), the work being neatly carried out other that the fact that whoever fitted it made a flat on the shaft in the wrong position so the index is approximately 180 degrees from where it should be. Not a big issue really. However, I note that the volume control is very coarse immediately past the point of switch-on. There is a rapid increase in volume over just a few degrees of rotation. Is this usual?

Also, I note that on the track side of both the IF and tuner sections there is a considerable amount of flux remaining around most joints. I don't think that the joints have been re-touched but it looks a bit like that. No other components have been changed. So I was wondering if they are all like this and not cleaned after manufacture?

Thanks for any comments.

Regards,

Phil.
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