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write your own review of the Ten Tec Centurion.
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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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W4WST
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 9, 2007 08:17
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SUPER SMOOTH AMP
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE SMOOTHEST, EASIEST TUNING AND MOST FORGIVING AMP I HAVE EVER OWNED. I HAVE IT MATED TO A TENTEC ORION ll AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO SIT DOWN IN FRONT OF THIS SET-UP AND ENJOY YOURSELF.
IF YOU WANT A NICE OPERATING AMP, GET YOURSELF A CENTURION. YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY.
W4WST
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W1FK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2007 10:51
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Good Value
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had the Centurion a little more than a year. The current price in 2007 is quite a bit higher than the price shown in the box for this website, but given the competition (both higher and lower in price) its still a good value. I wired my shack for 220VAC thirty years ago, so there's no line voltage problems here. It's smart to run the 3-500s easy as does Ten-Tec; a fraction of a db gain isnt worth the shortened tube life. The diode bar graph readout on the Centurion is handy for estimating power output, but I recently purchased the Array Solutions 3KW Power Master swr/wattmeter which is a gem of an instrument. I use the Centurion with an Orion II and the whole thing works very smoothly. I have the Ten-Tec 238B tuner, but dont use it much with my long terminated Vees on some bands since the SWR is so low and constant from band to band. Not a whimper from the Centurion. In amateur usage, I've never owned one of the 2.5 KW amps, but don't see why I need more than the 1.2 KW or so from this one. The little circuit board plug-in for 12/10 meters didnt quite fit but went into its slots anyway and has given no trouble. Ten-Tec support for my other gear has been very good, but since I've had no trouble with the Centurion, I can't comment on any repairs to it.
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KB3IFH
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2007 15:06
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Great Buy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. Purchased amp in 10/02. Has been a solid performer. My only regret is that I wish I had purchased the TITAN so I could have 1500 watts. The amp did have to go back to the shop recently due to an issue that was my fault. Repair costs was $275.00 . Service was handled well.
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K8XQ
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Rating: 0/5
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Apr 13, 2007 12:02
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Worst investment I have ever made!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought this amp new and pondered my decision for a very long time.I am disabled so I wanted an amp that would be reliable. Being on a fixed income, I only wanted to buy it once so to speak. This amp is now down again for the third time. Same story. Send it in and we will fix it and charge your credit card. The last time cost $500 and it sat till I could afford to send it. A year latter it is out again and it is also just sitting hear while I save to repair it. I'll tell you one thing it will not go to Ten-Tec for the repair. Ten-Tec will NEVER see another dollar from me again! Gee did I get my point across?
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K5SL
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 13, 2007 10:09
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Nice Amp!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is my first amp to own in 34 years of hamming. I have used others. Being a CW op I am very impressed with the full qsk of this amp. So far- SSB reports have also been good. Checked with a Bird wattmeter-it can put out well over 1kw output with the graphite finals in it. The LED power scale is only accurate at 40/20m. I can drive it with 80w and get almost 1 kw out. Thats good enough. It has a small small foot print and sits up about the size of my HF rigs. If you can find one in good shape for under 1k$ you better buy it.
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