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Bedini Amplifiers - two different builds/layouts of the same model amp?

I've got two Bedini 100/100 amplifiers here and I opened them up and they both have two completely different builds to them. The labeling, chassis, model numbers, etc are all identical between the two. It seems to be the power supply that is the main difference.

One has one transformer with 8 capacitors. The capacitors are about the width of a soda can and 1.5x the height. They're almost touching the amplifier boards above them. This one also has all the fuses located on the back panel, whereas the other has them internal.
The other has 4 times the transformers but half the capacitors, and the capacitors are also smaller.

Does anyone have any info on why there might be a discrepancy between the two? A mid-production design change or is one of them a one-off/custom job? They've both got John Bedini's initials on them on both the power supply and amp boards so I would think they came from the factory this way.

In most magazines I've seen I would think the 4 transformer variant is the more popular one, because it is heavier and matches the advertised weight. The one with the larger capacitor bank is noticeably lighter.

Pictures attached:

Amp 1:

Amp 2:

hoten03
corelli
945 posts
 

So how do they sound relative to each other?

hoten03 OP
5 posts
 

The 2nd was is broken at the moment so I haven't been able to do a comparison until it gets fixed. The first one sounds great on my B&W speakers

mrdecibel
2,925 posts
 

Your 1st photo is of the later production MEG 100 / 100. Owned a MEG 100 / 100, similar to your 1st photo ( and owned so many other Bedini models ). The models / dates are shown on the circuit boards. The Meg model had an excellent bottom end, in both tonality and rhythm. Enjoy! MrD. 

hoten03 OP
5 posts
 

Thanks for the response @mrdecibel . Do you know if the MEG just mean upgraded power supply? Or transistors? I've also got a 25/25 that I suspect is a MEG but does not have it written anywhere on it. From other 25/25s I have seen it seems to be a bit larger.

 

Which Bedini amps did you own? I've in the process of putting together a collection of them.

 

Here's the 25/25 in question. Once again thanks for the input:

mrdecibel
2,925 posts
 

@hoten03 ,Too many to remember. I understand your interest with collecting these, however I would caution you with buying these up. Although nice amps, many out there have had, or are, in need of some service....ime. The photo of the open chassis shows this......2 of the Motorola output transistors have been replaced ( shiny ones ). What does all of this mean ? Find a good tech who can do measurements / upgrades / repairs. Just as an fyi. The speaker designer Richard Shahinian ( RIP, 2017 ), recommended the Bedini amplifiers almost exclusively with his offerings. My favorite was the MEG 25/25 ( if I am remembering the model correctly ). My best, MrD.

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