Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

TrevorM6TSE · 29th May 2008, 8:10 am

Hello All,

I wondered if any members had any information on the following amp? this is the second one of these I've owned, so I guess they are not uncommon? Having said that my second one has a serial number of "336" !

I was given the first one when I was 18 at the ITEC/EITB in Sheffield. The lecturer said that it had been brought in by a student as a non worker and as it has sat around for a bit he gave it to me. When I got it home I discovered a dead output transistor on both channels (it uses a pair of AD149's per channel). I replaced these and hey presto it worked. I always remembered it had an odd tone, kind of lacking in bass, but highly detailed sound at times. In my fevered youth I gave it away

The only thing I do know is that the last time I heard the friend I gave it to still uses it as their main amp - she likes retro!

A few years ago I bought this example from Bardwells in Sheffield. Again it had a blown AD149. They had a replacement so I fitted it and it works. It has the same odd tone quality too.

So who were Stern Clyne? I've seen references of a shop in Sheffield? Site in London? What is a "Stern Clyne Sultan"? Was it a kit?

I've attached some piccies and look forward to your replies.

mastermanx2001 · 29th May 2008, 8:34 am

I am sure that you should get better answers than this, I never bought anything Stern Clyne, but they had a shop(s) in either Edgware Road and/ or Tottenham Court Road London. They did plenty of amplifiers, tuners etc. of their own, some based on well known designs, transitor and valve. Think they advertised in Practical Wireless and Hi Fi News. I may try to dig out and old advert. About 3 years ago a guy I bought some B&W DM2s speakers from told me he used to work for Stern Clyne.

Incidentally, I know of Bardwells from about 1971 when I used to live in Sheffield. I only discovered last year that they were still going.

ppppenguin · 29th May 2008, 8:51 am

I remember buying stuff from Stern Clyne in Tottenham Court Road back in the late 1960s. ISTR they had 2 shops within a short distance. I think they were a merger between Stern's Radio and Clyne which may have accounted for the 2 shops. They sold the usual mix of components and surplus kit plus amplifiers etc under their own brand name.

PS: This page, which I'm sure is owned by a member of this forum, has advertisements showing Stern and Clyne separately.
http://vintageradio.me.uk/magazinecvr/surplus.htm

mastermanx2001 · 29th May 2008, 9:10 am

Here is an advert from Jan 1963 Hi Fi News, I have some later adverts in Practical Wireless, but can't get at them at the moment.

Steve_P · 29th May 2008, 11:11 am

Our church had one of these for years! Used by the kids for good music discos (it was the 70s!) it stood up to everything. Never went wrong.

Good little amp. Wonder where it went?

Anyway, it's like any other amp. Just change any electrolytics and check thourougly before fitting a new O/P transistors. There is a small bit of interesting construction though that caught my eye. Third pic. Fourth knob in - the resistors!

Cheers,

Steve P.

TrevorM6TSE · 29th May 2008, 8:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_P

There is a small bit of interesting construction though that caught my eye. Third pic. Fourth knob in - the resistors!

Cheers,

Steve P.

LOL! Well, you see, that was a quick and dirty mod by me a few years ago.. The volume is slightly low on one channel and as I like to see the balance control in the centre, I kinda modded it

I wonder if the fact it's Germanium transistors that it has the "odd" tonal quality? Nice for classical stuff, but a bit odd if you give it a bit of Prog rock!

Steve_P · 29th May 2008, 8:56 pm

True about the Prog Rock! But have you tried changing any well placed caps - might help! Do one channel only and see if it makes a difference.

Cheers,

Steve P.

29th May 2008, 8:10 am	#1
TrevorM6TSE Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Old Tupton, Derbyshire, UK. Posts: 539	Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp Hello All, I wondered if any members had any information on the following amp? this is the second one of these I've owned, so I guess they are not uncommon? Having said that my second one has a serial number of "336" ! I was given the first one when I was 18 at the ITEC/EITB in Sheffield. The lecturer said that it had been brought in by a student as a non worker and as it has sat around for a bit he gave it to me. When I got it home I discovered a dead output transistor on both channels (it uses a pair of AD149's per channel). I replaced these and hey presto it worked. I always remembered it had an odd tone, kind of lacking in bass, but highly detailed sound at times. In my fevered youth I gave it away The only thing I do know is that the last time I heard the friend I gave it to still uses it as their main amp - she likes retro! A few years ago I bought this example from Bardwells in Sheffield. Again it had a blown AD149. They had a replacement so I fitted it and it works. It has the same odd tone quality too. So who were Stern Clyne? I've seen references of a shop in Sheffield? Site in London? What is a "Stern Clyne Sultan"? Was it a kit? I've attached some piccies and look forward to your replies. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I'd just like to say "Good luck, we're all counting on you"

29th May 2008, 8:34 am	#2
mastermanx2001 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 366	Re: Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp I am sure that you should get better answers than this, I never bought anything Stern Clyne, but they had a shop(s) in either Edgware Road and/ or Tottenham Court Road London. They did plenty of amplifiers, tuners etc. of their own, some based on well known designs, transitor and valve. Think they advertised in Practical Wireless and Hi Fi News. I may try to dig out and old advert. About 3 years ago a guy I bought some B&W DM2s speakers from told me he used to work for Stern Clyne. Incidentally, I know of Bardwells from about 1971 when I used to live in Sheffield. I only discovered last year that they were still going. Last edited by mastermanx2001; 29th May 2008 at 8:39 am.

29th May 2008, 8:51 am	#3
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp I remember buying stuff from Stern Clyne in Tottenham Court Road back in the late 1960s. ISTR they had 2 shops within a short distance. I think they were a merger between Stern's Radio and Clyne which may have accounted for the 2 shops. They sold the usual mix of components and surplus kit plus amplifiers etc under their own brand name. PS: This page, which I'm sure is owned by a member of this forum, has advertisements showing Stern and Clyne separately. http://vintageradio.me.uk/magazinecvr/surplus.htm

29th May 2008, 9:10 am	#4
mastermanx2001 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London, UK. Posts: 366	Re: Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp Here is an advert from Jan 1963 Hi Fi News, I have some later adverts in Practical Wireless, but can't get at them at the moment. Attached Thumbnails

29th May 2008, 11:11 am	#5
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp Our church had one of these for years! Used by the kids for good music discos (it was the 70s!) it stood up to everything. Never went wrong. Good little amp. Wonder where it went? Anyway, it's like any other amp. Just change any electrolytics and check thourougly before fitting a new O/P transistors. There is a small bit of interesting construction though that caught my eye. Third pic. Fourth knob in - the resistors! Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

29th May 2008, 8:56 pm	#7
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Help indentifying a strange "Stern Clyne" amp True about the Prog Rock! But have you tried changing any well placed caps - might help! Do one channel only and see if it makes a difference. Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?