RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
We are reeltoreeltech.com. We primarily buy, sell and service reel to reel tape decks but also get in tons of other equipment with our purchases that we work on.This is the very hard to find Heathkit AN-2016 top of the line digital AM/FM/preamplifier. It came out in the mid 1970s, and as a kid, I drooled over it. All TTL construction as well. It has all of the typical preamp inputs and outputs, including a phono input, and tape monitor loop. It's also a 4 channel unit.We picked this up from our Calgary 'barn find' sale, as outlined on our website a couple of years ago. We just opened the box that it was in, and fired it up. The good and bad:Good:-the unit works exactly as expected on all functions, including all inputs and outputs.-all controls and switches work fine, and are noise free-FM tuning, and stereo reception is nice and sensitive, and all of the local channels were tuned in with a short 2' wire off the antenna terminal.-AM also works, but needs an external antenna to pull in stations-the unit appears to be factory assembled, check out the solder joints and assembly quality in the attached picture.-the unit has been partially recapped, with name brand Nichion and similar caps.Neutral:-it is missing two modules for the quadraphonic decoding. The wiring is in place for them however. Those were options on this unit, and doesn't affect the stereo operation of the units. The rear channels also have output.Bad:-there is a bit of oxidation on the aluminum areas as shown. This is typical for vintage audio equipment of all types and brands-there are some scratches on the top of the cover as shown.This is a really nice rare vintage unit that would make a great centerpiece for your home stereo. It will only increase in value.We know how to pack these units, and it will arrive in the condition stated.
At US$810, this is on the high side for a used Heathkit AS-4 unless it’s exceptionally clean, fully original, and ideally includes the right cabinets or documentation; vintage Heathkit speakers more commonly sell as enthusiast pieces rather than commodity bargains, and comparable Heathkit pairs often change hands well below this level. The price is not automatically out of line for a scarce, collector-grade set, but it does feel ambitious unless the condition is truly standout.
What makes it interesting is the Heathkit angle itself: these are kit-era speakers with real nostalgia value, and well-preserved examples can be rewarding for someone who likes vintage American hi-fi character more than modern neutrality. The upside is highest if the drivers are original, surrounds and crossovers are healthy, and any matching pieces are included; with a speaker this old, originality and operating condition matter more than cosmetics.
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.
