Williamson Amplifier

Radford Electronics Ltd.; Bristol

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  • Year
  • 1954
  • Category
  • Audio Amplifier or -mixer
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 360368

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 5
  • Valves / Tubes
  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC)
  • Loudspeaker
  • - This model requires external speaker(s).
  • Material
  • Metal case, TUBES VISIBLE
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Williamson Amplifier - Radford Electronics Ltd.;
  • Shape
  • Chassis only or for «building in»
  • Notes

  • In 1954, Radford Electronics Ltd manufactured their version of the renowned Williamson amplifier, a design that had set the standard for high-fidelity sound reproduction since its introduction in 1947. 

    The Radford-manufactured Williamson amplifier featured the following technical specifications and characteristics:

    Circuit Design

    • The amplifier utilised a five-valve configuration, adhering closely to the original Williamson design. It likely employed:
    • A four-stage topology with push-pull, Class A triode output
    • Global negative feedback of approximately 20 dB
    • Triode-connected output valves, possibly KT66 or similar

    Performance

    • Output Power: Approximately 15-20 watts RMS
    • Total Harmonic Distortion: Likely no more than 0.1% at full output
    • Frequency Response: Extremely wide, possibly 10-20,000 Hz ±0.2 dB (Advertised as 5 Hz – 300 kHz ±2 dB)
    • Phase Shift: Minimal within the audible range

    Features

    • Multiple output impedances available to suit various requirements
    • Chassis finished in Alpine Mist metalchrome, indicating attention to aesthetics
    • Priced at £32 10s, reflecting its premium positioning in the market

    Applications

    The Radford-manufactured Williamson amplifier was not only designed for high-fidelity sound reproduction but also found widespread use in laboratories worldwide. Its extremely wide frequency response and low distortion made it suitable for precise linear amplification applications.

    This version of the Williamson amplifier likely maintained the original design's emphasis on high-quality components, particularly the output transformer, which was crucial to achieving the amplifier's exceptional performance. The Radford implementation would have aimed to preserve Williamson's reputation for setting the standard in design and performance in audio reproduction

  • Price in first year of sale
  • 32.50 GB £
  • Author
  • Model page created by Gary Cowans. See "Data change" for further contributors.

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