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Ultra rare pair of Heathkit W-6M 70 watt monoblock tube amplifiers with pair of Heathkit WA-P2 mono tube preamplifiers in very good condition, servicedReplaced four capacitors and one resistor in one preamplifier to repair power supply.Previous owner replaced the capacitors in both amplifiers. (I’ll put up pictures of each later.)Tested all tubes and replaced one in one of the preamps.Cleaned all controls.Some wear and a very little chipping of paint. One tube grill cover missing.The Heathkit "W" series refers to a line of high-fidelity tube amplifiers produced in the mid-to-late 1950s, with the W-4AM and W-6M being the most prominent models. These amplifiers were largely based on the Williamson design, a topology popular in the 1950s for its low distortion and high fidelity.The later W-6M, released in 1957, was a more powerful 70-watt unit using 6550 tubes and weighing over 40 pounds due to its massive transformers.Number of Tubes5Valves / Tubes12AU7 12AX7 12BH7 6550 6550The Heathkit WA-P2 is a vintage mono vacuum tube preamplifier produced from 1954 to 1959, originally sold as a DIY kit for $19.75. Designed as a "Master-Control" center for Heathkit Williamson-type amplifiers (such as the W-3AM, W-4AM, W-5M, and W-6M), it features a satin-gold enamel finish and uses three tubes (one 12AU7 and two 12AX7) to provide high-fidelity audio processing. Features:Volume control Treble and bass controls Rolloff and turnover controls for equalization of different LP recording types Five inputs (microphone, phono, tuner, 1, 2) with individual level controls Frequency response within +-1½ db from 15-30,000 kHzShipping to states in longitude of Colorado, farther west or rural parts of the Midwest will be a little more, billed separately
At US$4,000, this is well above the typical used range for a WA-P2 and sits far over the US$3,011 75th percentile from recent comps, so it reads as ambitious rather than merely strong money. By market context alone, it is not a fair-price listing unless something exceptional is included.
What makes the WA-P2 desirable is its classic late-’50s Heathkit charm: a compact tube preamp with useful tone and EQ controls, five inputs, and real collector appeal for period-correct systems. It can be a very satisfying piece if the unit is fully sorted, complete with its external power arrangement, and especially if provenance or originality is unusually good. At this price, though, buyers should expect exceptional condition, documented restoration, and original accessories—not just a working example.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Heathkit traces its origins to 1911 in the United States, when Edward Bayard Heath founded an aircraft company in Chicago after acquiring the Bates Aeroplane Co. Renamed E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Co., it pioneered kit-built planes like the 1926 Heath Parasol. Following Heath's death in a 1931 test flight, Howard Anthony acquired the bankrupt firm in 1935, shifting focus to aircraft accessories in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Post-World War II, Anthony pivoted to electronics in 1947 with surplus parts, launching the iconic O-1 oscilloscope kit for $50—a bestseller that birthed the Heathkit brand and its DIY ethos.
In hi-fi audio, Heathkit earned acclaim for tunable amplifiers, integrated receivers, preamplifiers, tuners, and speaker systems, all sold as meticulous assembly kits from the 1950s through the 1970s. Standouts included the AA-151 and A-7E power amps, known for their robust tube and solid-state designs, alongside full stereo systems like the AR-15 receiver. The brand expanded into test gear and amateur radio but prioritized high-fidelity components for home enthusiasts.
Heathkit occupied a mid-tier market niche, delivering exceptional value through user-assembled kits that rivaled factory-built rivals at half the cost. Prized for reliability, customization, and warm sound signatures, these vintage pieces command collector status today among audiophiles restoring "kit-built" icons. Though production ceased in the 1980s after Zenith's acquisition, Heathkit's legacy endures as a cornerstone of DIY hi-fi heritage.
See all Heathkit listings on RADAR.
