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Generation One |
RS 220 |
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RS 440 |
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RS 660 |
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AS 1100 |
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AS 3300 |
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RCS-
X1000 |
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BS 20/
BS 40 |
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RS 80 |
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Generation Two |
BS 5500 |
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PS 5500 |
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TUS 600 |
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TS 11 |
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CS 25 |
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Generation Three |
AS 5500 |
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MR 110 |
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DC 12 |
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Miscellaneous |
Manuals |
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Brochure |
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Contri-
butors |
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BS 5500 True Dual-Mono Power Amplifier
The BS-5500 was introduced in Setton's second generation, to be used with
the PS-5500 preamplifier and TUS-600 tuner. It retailed for $800 in its
day, a very high price for an amp of its size. It is believed that less
than 300 were ever produced. The BS 5500 is my favorite amplifier ever
made, and I am fortunate enough to own two of them. The sound quality
is excellent and the design is second to none. The faceplate reads: "TWO
ENTIRELY SEPARATE AMPLIFIERS MODEL BS 5500." Which is completely correct.
The BS 5500 has two of everything--two power supplies, two power switches,
two transformers, etc., etc. Like other Settons, the front glass panel
is tinted a rose color to provide for warm orange backlight. There are
3 lights in the security panel: One for overheating, one for clipping
and distortion, and one for the speaker protection relay circuit. When
turned on, these all light up and blink out one by one. Below is a picture
demonstrating this. As you can see, the left amplifier has just been turned
on while the right has already stabilized.
Here is a picture of the "insides" of the BS 5500 taken with the cover
off. Note the incredible build quality and ruggedness of this amp. It
weighes over 40 pounds unboxed!
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