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Hacker Loudspeaker Amplifier from the 1960’s. This was my parent’s hifi amp that they bought new in the 60’s. It has been stored for the last 25yrs in their dry attic. It was working fine when they put it into storage, but I have not tested it and have simply taken honest photos of the condition it is in now. Please look at the pics as they form part of the description. It is all original (including the sort after Mullard ECL86 Valves / Tubes). Considering its age it is in good condition.Made in England.Needs to go to a good home where it can be looked after and receive the TLC it deserves.I will package it up very carefully and protect it well. Will be tracked and insured. Alternatively you’re welcome to collect in person.Thank you for looking.
It's a seller's market for vintage British valve amps like this 1960s Hacker AL.42 unit, with solid demand from tube enthusiasts chasing that warm, characterful sound—fewer pristine survivors mean prices hold firm. At USD134, the asking price feels ambitious against our recent comps: median USD57, with 25th percentile at USD31 and 75th at USD105 for similar Mullard-equipped pieces. You're paying a premium here unless it's restored or modded exceptionally well.
Before biting, verify the Mullard valve condition—those OC81s or equivalents often go microphonic or gassy with age, so insist on a bench test and bias check. Also confirm the loudspeaker cone integrity (dust caps crack easily) and that it's got the original Hacker matching transformer; missing docs or recapped electrolytic suspicions could turn this into a project rather than a plug-and-play gem.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Captain Stanley R. Mullard founded the Mullard Radio Valve Company in 1920 in the United Kingdom, initially to produce high-power transmitting valves for the British Admiralty. Drawing from his engineering background and passion for music, he expanded into audio components, creating vacuum tubes renowned for their reliability and superior sound quality. Acquired by Philips in the 1920s, the brand grew into a dominant force in valves and semiconductors, with production spanning facilities in Mitcham and Southampton.
Mullard focused primarily on vacuum tubes—or "valves"—that powered high-fidelity amplifiers and professional recording equipment, alongside early transistors and audio drivers. Historical products like the 1960s Mullard 510 valve amplifier exemplified their expertise in hi-fi amplification, while their hand-assembled valves became staples in studio and home systems. Though not a modern maker of speakers, turntables, DACs, or headphones, their components influenced entire audio chains.
Today, Mullard holds a revered position as a vintage high-end icon among audiophiles and collectors, celebrated for the "Mullard sound"—warm, detailed, and musical. Reissues and NOS tubes command premium prices in the boutique market, cementing its legacy over a century of craftsmanship amid technological shifts.
See all Mullard listings on RADAR.
