There weren't many amplifiers of that era that offered a single large tube. The Pride DX 300? A 200b isn't exactly a large tube. Although I would take one of those amplifiers over many of the other major companies that produced tube amplifiers during the CB craze. As far as using a modern HF amplifier with a single large tube would be nice on SSB but from what I've heard AM isn't something they had in mind when building them and they normally don't work or sound well on that mode. CW and SSB is where they shine. So I'm told. There were some older CB craze era amplifiers like the Texas Walker with a single or couple of very large tubes in them but all of these amplifiers are problematic. Mostly due to age VB and no attention to design beyond output. I've learned that they are for the most part nothing more than money pits. If the old DNA, palyomar ECT ECT ect are amplifiers and the like are recapped cleaned rebuilt and have everything done to them that one could do to bring them back to their original first day brand new open box condition then one might possibly have a decent amp. On the other hand they are just not worth it. I've been there and done that and still do. My reason for doing so is that I like the look of the older equipment. That's about it. Mine set up sounds okay for what it is. Nothing special But have been told it sounds better than most modern transceivers and amplifiers of the 11 Meter type of course. If you can work on your own equipment you're in good shape. If you can't You better be ready to dish out some money period and no matter how much you dish out you're just not going to have any type of quality when coming to this type of equipment. Especially amplifiers of the CB craze era. I read a little bit about those BM amplifiers with single double or quad tryouts in them period but without doing any research I could honestly say I've little doubt they're nothing special period especially for the prices that they are asking and obviously getting from some. I bet a dollar for every dime that not many people have purchased those BM amplifiers period I've never heard one on air. I've never even heard someone saying they've heard one. And I've obviously never heard someone saying that they're great amplifiers. Not even good amplifiers. It's quite a quandary. The sb220 is a great amplifier used by many Chicken banders but not on A.M. at least that's what I read I do not own or operate one myself but I can say their reputation definitely proceeds any Heathkit amplifier ever made. I guess there's only a few things one can do in order to have a nice sounding single sideband station and an AM one. And that is to get two stations one for a.m. one for single Side Band. What would members suggest for an AM SSB transceiver and amp that will sound well on both modes? 11 meters of course. It's what I'm taking about at least. Most ticket holders us SSB first then CW, and I assume lastly some type of psk data thingey. I obviously know little to nothing about the HS bands because I am a chicken Bander. Sorry for being so for Being verbose. My interest and reply to RP is what would be a excellent amplifier for SSP and AM. Modern or old time back in the day type apps. Which would you choose. And why. I should also mention that price has to be a factor. I'm sure there are HF amplifiers that will sound good in any mode on any band if you're going to have to pay $8,000 Plus for them. I'm talking in the 1000 to $1,500 range. What do you say? 73 have a great weekend
