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James Bongiorno and Ampzilla: The Wild Genius of High Power Hi Fi

Lost American Audio

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James Bongiorno and Ampzilla changed the world of high-power Hi-Fi forever. Brilliant, controversial, and wildly unconventional, Bongiorno became one of the most fascinating amplifier designers in audio history.

In this video, we explore the story behind James Bongiorno, the legendary Ampzilla amplifier, Great American Sound, and the era when massive power amplifiers began transforming serious home audio.

Why did Ampzilla become such an iconic vintage amplifier? What made Bongiorno’s designs different? And why are audiophiles still talking about his work decades later?

From ambitious amplifier engineering to unforgettable product names and a larger-than-life personality, this is the story of the wild genius behind one of vintage Hi-Fi’s most recognizable power amplifiers.

If you enjoy vintage audio, classic Hi-Fi equipment, amplifier history, and legendary audio designers, subscribe for more stories from the golden age of Hi-Fi.

#JamesBongiorno #Ampzilla #VintageAudio #HiFi #Audiophile

20 Comments

@davidb.7223 2 weeks ago

I bought and successfully assembled the original Ampzilla. I was told I was only 1 of 2 people that built the amplifier without help. Everyone that listened to it loved it. I today listen to a refurbished Bicentennial (Red, White and Blue) Ampzilla. THANK YOU JAMES!

@DjJeffRush 2 weeks ago

I spoke to James in 2000. i had an SAE2201 that had blown. He was offering a rebuild service. He rebuilt the amp and added the servo circuitry. it was an amazing piece. We spoke about the state of the industry for a while. Wish i still had it. Sold it and other pieces on Ebay when i hit a tough financial situation.

@jimnunn9232 2 days ago

My first experience with the Ampzilla was when a friend asked if I would see if I could fix a Dynaco 400 he had built. After repairing the 400 I burned it in as my test bench and the sound quality was startling compared to my Mac 2105. When the Ampzilla II became available I purchased one. Today it is still the best amp I have ever heard and it suppresses me with its sound.

@amazoidal 2 weeks ago

I taped my conversation with Jim about the Sumo Charlie tuner he built and I owned. He had an upgrade program for Charlie the Tuna(er) as it was called. I am one of the few that have the schematic for the Charlie Tuner.

@brettschermeister9389 2 weeks ago

A Yamaha B2 was not made to drive low impadence speakers. It was made to sound like a tube amp, which it does, and to power 8 ohm speakers like the ns1000. It may only put out 100w, but those 100w are sweet sound.

@karlsonkab51 2 weeks ago

Loved my Dynaco Stereo 400 kit - beautiful sound - and later I went through many amplifiers;

@CyLanceDugoud 2 weeks ago

I own a G.A.S. Ampzilla amp it was tested at 400 comfortable watts in a little sound shop in Pittston Pa. that was open to Docs friends at 4 in the morning...I donated 40 dollars to get the output transistors resoldered...the guy was so grateful for that 40 dollars he bought a turkey for Thanksgiving the next day..mi will never forget that night way back when stores were open all night

@fishbones2 2 weeks ago (edited)

As a teen I always wanted an Ampzilla, but could not afford it on my income at the time. Then they went out of business. I later bought an Adcom GFA-555, rated 400 Watts per channel. 30+ years later and it still works great. Had to replace the power switch, because the inrush current destroys the contacts. I later installed a SSR that was controlled by the rocker switch. No more switch failures.

@basiljackson9318 2 weeks ago

Fantastic amplifier and sound I own one built form his circuit published in popular electronics which is my prize possession. Your next story should be about South Western Technical Product Tiger 01.

@RonHillier 2 weeks ago

I had an Ampzilla for a few years in the late 80's. It was the best amp I've ever had. I made a huge mistake selling it. I still have the Thoebe preamp and it still sounds great. If it needs recapped you'd never know.

@alnorman6846 2 weeks ago

I like the 200 watt soldering iron to solder a small component in the heathkit tuner

@ericanderson2987 11 days ago (edited)

I Bought 2 Sleeping Beauty MC Phono Cartridges after GAS went out of Business. Those 2 Cartridges lasted me over 30 Years.

I Wished l could of Afforded an Ampzilla Power Amplifer; l still have the original Advertisement and Audio Equipment Test Reports.

I already had a Rebuilt Marantz Model 7 Preamplifer and with Advice of an EXCELLENT Electrical Engineer, Bought a Sony TA-3200F Power Amplifier. That Amplifier Failed and is STILL in Garage of that Electrical Engineer. I NEEDED fast $$, so Sold the Marantz Model 7. I went on to get Adcom Preamplifer and Power Amplifiers, which l still have.

@MrDanthemaniam 2 weeks ago

I worked at magnepan during this time. In the r&D lab, I co-developed the ribbon Tweeter and in earlier years I was a fan of Ampzilla, but interestingly, we never even once considered using it to drive our speakers. I met most of our premier dealers and not one of them sold the product.

@zachariavallickad7264 2 weeks ago

1966 DINSDALE FULLY COMPLEMENTARY TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIER

@AlexSomers-d2n 13 days ago

It had a very ambition name.

@DrNoahBoddy004 2 weeks ago

I’ve always considered him, David Hafler, and Steve McCormack true visionary Grand Men of American audio brilliance. Nelson Pass, may God always preserve him, still with us, is also in this supreme group.🌷🫡🇺🇸✨