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A beautiful and rare power amp with 7027 tubes. Unit was recently serviced and ready to go. I have owned many many vintage tube amps and this one has really is unique . A lot of these old amps get over bias and cause some goo to leak out. Unit was cleaned up but there is still some we decided to let be. This is a working unit we did some service in and the replaced parts are pictured. It runs good with a few second of hum on cold start.
This is ambitious: at US$2,200, it lands well above the US$425 75th percentile and far beyond the typical used cluster centered at US$249. On your own comp set, that’s not just premium pricing — it’s a major stretch unless there’s something exceptional behind it.
That makes the real question the amplifier itself: whether it’s a genuinely desirable, correctly restored tube piece with strong originality, proven servicing, and the right cosmetic presentation. If it’s clean, fully functional, and comes with documented work or rare extras, there may be some collector logic here; otherwise, I’d treat it as a high ask and buy only after verifying transformer health, hum, channel balance, and whether any restoration was done properly.
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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