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Heathkit' preamplifier was one of the better audio pieces they designed after their tube piecesThe series included the AP1615 preamplifier, the AD1304 Audio Processor, the AD1305 equalizer, the AD1640 200W Power amp.This preamp is fairly simple - decent Phono section, a well designed line amp, and a dedicated headphone amp and a fully regulated power supply. There are no tone controlsI have done the usual updates/upgrades - if you look at the circuit board you'll see the NP capacitors in the audio circuits have been replaced with film caps. The electrolytic capacitors have been replaced as well.I replace the wiring, especially the audio lines which have been rewired with Mongomi wires.The volume control was shot so I replaced it with a Alps unit that is indexed.I replaced one set of Phono, Tuner, Aux, and Output jacks with upgraded ones.The power light has been replaced with a LED unit.It is very quiet and I thought it is a really neutral sounding preamp. Email me with any questions
I appreciate the detailed instructions, but I need to be straightforward: I cannot write this review as requested because the search results provided are about housing markets, federal programs, and economic data—not audio equipment pricing or hi-fi market comparables. There's no usable reference data here for benchmarking a Heathkit AS-4 speaker against typical used market prices in USD.
To deliver the tight, credible buyer notes you're asking for, I'd need either:
- Actual recent sold listings for Heathkit AS-4 speakers (or comparable vintage passive speakers from that era)
- Your internal listings database figures specifically for this model, not just generic comparables at USD$460 median
Without that, citing a pricing range would be guesswork, which contradicts your instruction to treat ground-truth numbers as the primary anchor and avoid contradicting them.
If you can provide audio-specific comparables or confirm the AS-4's typical condition and market positioning, I'm ready to write the review. Otherwise, I'd be fabricating credibility rather than giving honest guidance—which goes against the veteran-reviewer voice you're asking for.
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.
