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Vintage 1961 Lafayette KT-600 Stereo Master tube preamplifier. Rare US made unit is very clean. No tubes but appears all original otherwise. One of the knobs is cracked but included. From the original owner. Very significant piece of high fidelity history. Sold as a project piece as-is.
Timing matters here because this is a late-1950s/early-’60s tube preamp, not a current-production piece, so value is mostly about condition and completeness rather than age alone. At US$999, it sits well above the recent used median of US$272 and even above the 75th percentile of US$412, so this is an ambitious ask unless it’s exceptionally original, freshly serviced, and documented.
What makes it interesting is the pedigree: the KT-600 is one of Lafayette’s better-regarded stereo tube preamps, and buyers chase it for its classic Hegeman-era design, musical phono stage, and collectible vintage appeal. That said, tube preamps of this era can need power-supply, cap, and control work, so at this price I’d want strong evidence of a proper rebuild, quiet operation, and all the hard-to-find bits included; without that, it’s more dreamer pricing than a compelling buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Lafayette Radio Electronics stands as a pivotal figure in American audio retail history. Founded in 1931 as the branded division of Wholesale Radio Service Company—itself established in the early 1920s by Abraham Pletman in New York City—Lafayette evolved from a supplier of radio components for hobbyists into a comprehensive electronics retailer. Headquartered in Syosset, New York, the company operated until 1981, serving as an introduction to high-fidelity systems for generations of American consumers through both mail-order catalogs and company-owned retail locations.
Lafayette's product portfolio reflected its role as a democratizing force in audio. Beyond amateur radio equipment and citizen's band radios, the company embraced emerging formats with characteristic agility—from open-reel tape recorders to 8-track cartridges, compact cassettes, and notably, quadraphonic systems during the mid-1970s. Lafayette marketed its own branded components under the Lafayette and Criterion labels, sourcing heavily from Japanese manufacturers. Their retail stores featured dedicated sound rooms where customers could audition complete systems, a significant advantage in an era when hands-on experience was rare outside major urban centers.
Lafayette occupied the accessible mid-market tier rather than the high-end segment. The company's reputation rested on affordability, quality, and comprehensive selection—offering equipment from established manufacturers like Stromberg-Carlson, University, and Bogen alongside house brands. Their detailed catalogs and willingness to stock components unavailable through local dealers made them indispensable to serious enthusiasts and casual buyers alike. Today, Lafayette represents a nostalgic touchstone for vintage audio collectors and a testament to mail-order retail's influence on consumer electronics culture.
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