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write your own review of the Ten Tec Centurion.
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K7NSW
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2011 21:44
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WOW!! - SO FAR
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Received my new Centurion today. Am very impressed. This amp is built like a tank - as noted earlier by someone else in this group. The power transformer is very impressive. Alpha builds theirs for continuous service so they are massive. T-T does not build to that service level so I was not expecting an Alpha transformer. But the one I received sure comes close. Not yet fired the amp up. Need to install it in my station, get oriented to it, etc. Installing 10 meter mod went smoothly. Required opening up the cabinet so I had a very close-up look. High quality parts. PC boards look very good. No loose parts rattling around. Before shipping to me a T-T tech ran it on all bands and included a performance sheet with it disclosing how it performed on each band and the operating data for same. Looks like this amp will have a long life. Price is now 3 kilobuck level. From all appearances it looks like it is worth every penny. Like I said, so far so good. I rate it 5 out of 5 on out of the box condition and apparent construction quality. I'm about to have a good time!
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K8JHR
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 16, 2011 18:49
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Excellent - Solid - Easy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is built like a tank, is easy to operate, and does the job well with no futzing or worries. Just plain easy to use and nearly fool proof to operate. The only negative, is I wish it had a quieter cooling fan. I guess they get HOT, so they need a substantial fan and all that moving air makes noise... but that is the only item on my wish list. Instructions are clear, and it is easy to set up and operate.
--- James -K8JHR ---
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N1DZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 19, 2010 21:38
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Great Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently bought this pre-owned amp. It is the earlier light gray front panel version and likely built in 1995. This amp replaces a Ten Tec Centaur to give me a little more headroom.
Even after 15 years of use this amp still performs as new. I had an Acom 1000 and PW-1 before. So why did I choose the Centurion?
-Instant on KW plus
-Easy to tune by numbers.
-Very quiet
-QSK
-Desk top size
-Solidly built
-Legendary Ten Tec support
-Cheap tubes
-Does not self destruct due to operator error
-Easy serviceble
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NI0C
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 22, 2010 19:42
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Quiet and reliable
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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There's nothing I dislike about this fine amplifer by Ten Tec.
It is just the right size to fit in my crowded shack. It sits on top of a two drawer steel file cabinet. I used it to complete 160m DXCC last season, so it has had a workout. The LED peak power meter allows me to leave the analog meter set to monitor grid current at all times. The fan is only slightly noisier than the one in my previous amplifier (a single 3-500Z AL80B).
I love the built-in QSK. The hidden power switch is appreciated by this grandfather who frequently has grandkids visit the shack.
The amplifier seems to tolerate mismatch conditions (SWR as high as 3.5:1) that occur with my narrow band lowband vertical antennas.
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PA4F
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2010 16:35
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Very good performer
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is an outstanding performer not only named after a tank but built like it too. The amplifier delivers 1300 Watts, like it just left the TenTec store. In and outside are bright and shiny. I just run it with 80 watts from my Yeasu FT-950 and the amplifier puts a very fat 1000 Watts into my antenna. The amplifier Works on any modern transceiver and is very quiet. No hoovercraft fan or clattering from relays, I just love it. This is definily a keeper. If you can get your hands of one on these don’t hesitate you won’t be disappointed.
Frans – PA4F
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W6IZT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2009 05:04
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A great amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a very early model 422. It is so old that it doesn't have a serial number! I beleive that I am the 3rd owner. It was not operating when I bought it and I had originally intented to convert it to 6 meters. These amps are very well engineered and it would have been a shame to modify it, so it is now paired with my K2 and works extremely well, putting out in excess of 1300 watts on all HF bands. Tuning is extremely smooth, the QSK is excellent and it has never missed a beat! I would recommend this amp to anyone who is looking for a solid performer that can last for many years.
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K5HSV
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2009 22:00
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5.0/5.0 After 1 Year of Use
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Once again, I have to say that Ten Tec has produced a Great amp with the 422B CENTURION. One thing I've understood is that after 600 watts with any amp, it's all about what you have up in the air. The model 422B CENTURION uses the classic pair of 3-500Z tubes, available and reasonable at this time. The power supply features a tape wound Hypersil transformer for minimum weight and size. I won't go into the specs that you can read off of the website, however, will say that I can easily run 1kw without sweating the tubes. That makes for an amp that will increases expected overall tube life and decreases the potential for tube failure. I'm still in love with this amp and the design of it.
73s,
K5HSV
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N5FXV
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Rating: 5/5
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May 20, 2009 12:47
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Quality Construction
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The quality construction of the Centurion Amplifier is what convinced me to buy it over a less expensive alternative. It would be replacing my Alpha 374A,which was a lightning strike victim earlier this year. I wanted to have the Alpha quality, without the Alpha price tag. I have to say I made the right choice! The Centurion is very easy to tune, and will put out 1300 WATTS under contest conditions without missing a beat. The Centurion's foot print is small enough to fit most average sized desk tops with out any problems. The fan is much quieter than the Alpha 374A, and the metering is just as good. I have to say it looks better than the old Alpha too! Thanks TEN-TEC for a sure to be Classic Amp.
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K5HSV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 14, 2008 00:18
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American Made & Built Like a Tank...
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Ten Tec does it right. The 422B CENTURION uses the classic pair of 3-500Z tubes and has no problem putting out 1300 watts of clean RF power for SSB and CW with 100 watts from the exciter. This a "honeymoon review", however, I'd have no problem revising it should nothing change.
I called to talk to tech support before it arrived and they were great to explain the over all operation. Great Amp, Great Service and American Made. That's a real plus for me.
73's,
Paul - K5HSV
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K0ZR
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2007 20:41
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Very Nice Amplifier
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Take all the positive comments from previous reviewers - this is my experience as well. I have had my Centurion only a week + so far, but after about 20 hours of operation I can offer only praise for the product. Tuning repeatability is outstanding.
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