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Reviews For: Ten Tec Model 417 Titan III HF Amplifier

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Ten Tec Model 417 Titan III HF Amplifier
Reviews: 15MSRP: 4295 (US) + shipping
Description:
1.5 Kw HF amplifier using a pair of 4CX800A ceramic tetrodes in grid- driven configuration for 160 - 10 meters.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://radio.tentec.com/Amateur/Amplifiers/TT417
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00154.9
KE4AMQ Rating: 2022-07-26
So far amazing Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just picked up a Titan III and its the closest thing to a alpha 77sx that I can tell. Really puts out the power 15 watts drive gives me 500 easy. 45 watts is 1500 +++ runs a little warm at times but not bad at all. The only thing I dont like is if it breaks I cant fix it, lots of computer parts inside. I run my amps very conservative so I hope I dont have to worry about that. Opened it up today to look at the inside and there are a million screws that need to come out to get the case off. But after looking at the inside a very well built , constructed and laid out amplifier.
Not many article on the net to read about this amp which is good and bad. The 4cx800's or gu74b are still around and reasonable. If you find one for sale buy it, you wont regret it.
N8MUS Rating: 2019-03-23
Big amp= Big Power Time Owned: more than 12 months.
N5UL was original owner circa Late 2008 production. I am 2nd owner and super happy to have this excellent example in my shack.

I notice in pictures that there were two versions of the 417 Titan III. The bandswitch being different on the later models. Mine is the later version the earlier looks like a Titan II but in Black. This amp is self contained so the transformer inside makes it big and HEAVY. Prior owner decided to sell it as he could no longer move it due to age etc. It does take up a major part of a desk top as well.

Pros
Makes power easy with low drive levels, is very easy to tune and the settings are repeatable. So band changes are a cinch.

I have an Orion and Orion 2 and they interface with the amp perfectly but have also used some Flex radios with it as well. Easy to operate legal limit amp.

QSK is sweet, relay noise is not bad but noticeable. An installation with amp not on top of you would be better than my set up.

Cons
Fan noise: I have the amp at my right hand on the desk so very close to me and the noise does not hinder operation but is there. Moving the amp a little farther away would be better.

Size and Weight.

I prefer to dial in a bit of hang on the Orion which keeps the amp keyed and really cuts down on the relay noise. Semi QSK unless working a pile up.

I have had it for over a year with zero issues thus far. It is a big difference maker on 160m where I am only running a 43ft vertical.

It replaced a mint SB-220 and IF the SB-220 would have had 160m and WARC bands I would have stayed with it. But it did not. Size and Weight much more manageable VS the Titan III.

Overall it is a keeper and would purchase again.
W5DDW Rating: 2010-09-08
An Awesome Workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my 5th year of operation with the 417 and I couldn't ask for more. Still on the original tubes, the amp pegs the output meter at 1500 watts on as little as 45 watts drive. The amp is physically big, requires ample desk space and a clear area for tube vents, as would be expected from such a robust desktop amp. Blower noise is average for amps this size and tubes are still plentiful and reasonably priced (if we can just get the hoarders of eBay). I resisted buying "back-up" tubes as the two Russian GU-78Bs (designed for military applications) could last the life of the amp with proper care. QSK CW is without peers, is seamless and flawless in operation, and can break the most congested European CW pileup or run hours of contesting at full output. The amp is expensive, but panicked owners (fearing tube shortages) have sold their 417s at firesale prices. If you find one and would like to step up to a premium amplifier, which will give years of serious service, buy it. Ten-Tec Service is the industry standard and will help you keep the amp on the air. Of the big, legal limit premium amps, the Titan III is a worthy contender.
KD7HVL Rating: 2010-01-12
Very Very nice Amp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I took this amp in on a trade for some military gear. What I recieved, yes it did work, but had some serious problems. A few hundred dollars latter in parts from Ten Tec I have everything running smooth and right. What an amp, easily does legal limit with 55 watts drive on all bands, tubes are pretty reasonable considering what they are. I can retube for $350.00 Tube availability is something one has to take a hard look at these day and the supply of GU74Bs is still pretty good. Controls are smooth and predictable, I have found as long as the load is within specs I can just about use the data in the manual for final tune. I have had a bunch of amps but this one is at the top of the pile and that includes some Alphas. Very nice amp and a pleasure to use. should you be fortunate enough to get your hands on one, take the chance and get it, you to will also be pleased and happy.
WY3X Rating: 2009-12-13
A tank! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hopefully, this will be my last HF amp. I've been through several- Brad Thompson Industries BTI-2000, Amp Supply LK-8877, Henry 2KD-5, Ten Tec Centurion, Collins 30L-1, Skywalker 500 (solid state), and a Yaesu FLDX-2000. This one tunes easy, no arcing, and the controls are velvety smooth! Metering is adequate for all purposes. I wish it wasn't quite so deep- it does require a lot of desk space. Even an inch would have helped. All my other amps were used, this one I bought brand new straight from Ten Tec. It's a pleasure to operate. What more can be said?
W7WZ Rating: 2009-03-08
Best Ever TT HF amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great value in a used HF amplifier. Quietest, least vibration, smoothest tune up, big bright meters, least TVI, solid construction, ample power to reach the antenna with long feed line runs. Service & support still available from TT.

I have owned the Titan II, Titan 425, Centruion, Centaur, Kenwood TL-922A, Henry 2k, 3KA and 3KD. The TT Titan III model 417 is far superior. It will be a classic and the tubes are readily available on Ebay.
W3WW Rating: 2007-07-10
The Best of them All Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After the proverbial "been around the block" scenario, I settled on the Titan III. Couldn't be happier. Need I say more?

Try one, you will never look back.

W4SK Rating: 2006-10-08
Wow Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Traded my Centurion (3-500Z)amp for this Titan III. It is large, and mechanically very strong. The blower noise is louder than the Centurion, but by no means objectionable. Superior metering, and easy to tune. Clearly the last amp I will ever have to purchase.
W4BQF Rating: 2006-06-27
Work Horse! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update from 2004.
Just a real work horse. Handles 48 hour contest smoothly. Lot of hours on this amp and zero problems at this time. Silky smooth QSK with my IC-781 and Omni 6 Plus.
Another Ten Tec winner!

Tom - W4BQF

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4BQF on 2004-03-04

My Titan 3 has been on the air since December and is driven by my Orion. The amp's construction is excellent. Tuning is smooth and repeatable to get 1.5KW out on all bands. QSK is very fast and smooth, even up to 70wpm. The fan noise and the QSK relays are very quiet. The Titan 3 has performed flawless since I put it on my desk. Couldn't ask for a more trouble free piece of equipment.

Tom/W4BQF
K3RX Rating: 2005-06-03
BULLET-PROOF !!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is a BIG AMP!!!!..The box is HUGE, I've found the controls smooth as silk,EASILY repeatable,and the fit and finish first rate!!! The blower is louder than my old AL-80B,but thats to be expected.I do NOT find the blower noise objectionable...it has become nothing more than "white noise" to me.
I've made the usual mistakes with this amp,wrong band position,etc. and have NEVER had a problem...it simply trips,or,(in the case of wrong band position) does nothing!..the band switch is SUPER STOUT..overall,a SOLID,WELL-BUILT AMP. I would buy another without a second-thought...'73 Tom K3RX