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This electronics chassis is a Crown International Model RP3C, serial number C337 (Crown Schematic MI-118-b) and was used with the 800 series Crown International decks. This version of the RP3C has a balanced input stage. The Microphone input is a rear mounted XLR which is wired to an input transformer that sits directly behind the XLR input. There is a mic/line level switch on rear of the chassis, along with a 1/4” line jack. The XLR output is also balanced. The RP3C is powered from the deck assembly through a short harness terminated in an octal plug. The tubes are a mix of brands (Crown, Mullard, Raytheon). These tubes appear to be original, and ALL have been tested on a TV7, they meet or exceed the Gm measurements specified for each type.The meter was tested and works.Please Note:An octal plug is missing, it is used to set the electronics for one of 3 input impedances; 250Ω, 50Ω and HiZ.The Chicken Head knobs are not original. The PB/Rec/Bias knob is not original, and the safety was removed from the adjacent post.All sales are final,so please feel free to get in touch with any questions. Thanks!
This US$445 asking price is fair for a late-1950s Crown RP-3 tube unit, sitting comfortably between the 25th percentile (US$135) and the median (US$246) of recent comparable listings, though it leans toward the higher end of the typical range given the 75th percentile sits at US$595. While not a bargain, it reflects a realistic market value for a working vintage piece from Crown’s early era, before their later solid-state dominance.
The RP-3 is a rare piece of American tube history, prized by collectors for its clean, warm sound and robust build quality typical of Crown’s broadcast and pro-audio heritage. At this price, it’s a solid entry into vintage tube electronics, especially if it includes original tubes or shows minimal wear. Unless the listing notes missing parts or untested operation, this is a worthwhile buy for enthusiasts seeking authentic 1950s tone without the ultra-high cost of more famous brands.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Crown Audio traces its origins to 1947 in Elkhart, Indiana, where minister and radio enthusiast Clarence C. Moore, alongside his wife Ruby, founded the International Radio and Electronics Corporation (IREC) in a converted chicken coop. Initially focused on rugged open-reel tape recorders for missionaries in remote regions, the company pioneered innovations like the world's first tape recorder with a built-in power amplifier in 1949. Ruby's suggestion in the 1960s led to the adoption of the Crown name, inspired by the crown emblems on their 'Royal' and 'Imperial' models, with the corporation officially renaming to Crown International, Inc. in 1975.
The brand shifted from tape recorders and compact loudspeakers in the 1950s to standalone tube power amplifiers by 1959, cementing its expertise in professional amplification. Crown became renowned for groundbreaking products like the DC300 in 1968—the first high-power solid-state amplifier—and the M600/M2000 in 1972, featuring patented technologies such as the ground-bridge circuit. Today, under Harman International since its 2000 acquisition, Crown specializes in high-output amplifiers for touring rigs, cinema venues, installed systems, portable PA, and commercial audio, prioritizing reliability and innovation over consumer categories like speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Crown holds a commanding position as a pro-audio powerhouse, trusted by industry leaders for its durable, high-performance amplifiers that define live sound and installation standards. Far from high-end audiophile or vintage collector fare, it dominates the professional market with over 75 years of technical milestones, though recent production shifts to Mexico reflect ongoing evolution. For the discerning hi-fi buyer eyeing pro-grade power, Crown delivers uncompromised authority.
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