RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
At £415, this is a strong deal against the two recent comparables: it sits well below the £612 25th-percentile asking price and roughly half the £808 median. For a recognisable vintage valve amplifier, that is genuinely attractive rather than merely fair, assuming it is complete and basically serviceable.
The MA-12 is a compact mono push-pull design using EL84 output valves, valued for its straightforward circuit and classic mid-century hi-fi character. It makes a sensible restoration or second-system project, especially if the transformers, valves, and chassis are intact. Because the condition is unknown, budget for testing and likely age-related component replacement, but at £415 there is meaningful room for that work before the purchase becomes expensive. Check that the output transformer is healthy and that the amplifier has not been heavily modified or damaged by poor DIY repairs.
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.
