Scott 370 Amplifiers (1973) — Specs & History

At first glance, it’s just another brushed-aluminum Scott tuner—until you power it up and hear the quiet, the depth, the way it pulls FM signals from thin air like they were broadcast in your living room.

Overview

The H.H. Scott 370-B FM Stereo Multiplex Tuner is a vacuum-tube FM tuner, representing Scott’s effort to deliver high-fidelity stereo reception in a more accessible package. Unlike the company’s flagship models, the 370 was positioned as Scott’s low-cost Stereo-MPX tube tuner design, aimed at audiophiles who wanted genuine Scott engineering without the premium price tag of the 350B or 310E. It shares lineage with the LT-111, which was sold as a kit version of the same circuit—allowing hobbyists to assemble their own. Despite its budget positioning, the 370 retains the wideband FM design philosophy Scott was known for, promising extended capture range and stable stereo demodulation. It’s a tuner built for realism, not flash, and its presence in a system speaks to a preference for substance over specs. HiFi-Stereo (October 1962, p.9) highlighted Scott's new multiplex tuner as offering advanced features at a modest price, featuring the company's famous wide-band design and time-switching multiplex circuitry.

Wideband FM Reception with Tube Warmth

The 370’s defining feature is its wideband FM front end, a design approach that allows it to capture a broader slice of the FM band. This wasn’t just marketing—Scott had long championed wideband tuning as a way to preserve high-frequency detail and reduce multipath distortion. While no published frequency response or sensitivity figures exist in available documentation, the wideband architecture suggests performance tuned more for musical coherence than raw measurement peaks. The stereo demodulator—critical for stable separation and channel balance—contributes to a listening experience

Historical Context

The Scott 370 emerged during a transitional period for both the company and the hi-fi industry. It was marketed alongside more expensive Scott models like the 350B/C, 310E, and 4310, serving as an entry point into the brand’s ecosystem. Its existence reflects Scott’s strategy of offering tiered products without completely sacrificing core engineering values. The availability of the LT-111 kit version further underscores the era’s strong DIY culture, where serious listeners expected to engage with their gear at the component level. While no official production years are documented for the 370-B, In contrast, the solid-state Scott 370R receiver—sometimes confused with the 370-B—was manufactured from 1979 to 1981 and built in Japan,

Collectibility & Value

Collectors note that original Scott tube equipment is often regarded as an exceptional audiophile value—components built to stand the test of time and still perform well today. The 370-B, while not as celebrated as the 350B, benefits from this reputation. though aging capacitors and tube wear are inevitable concerns. No common failure modes are documented in available sources, but as with all tube gear of this age, a full recap and tube replacement are prudent for long-term reliability. The lack of documented original pricing or current market values makes valuation difficult, but its status as a genuine Scott tube tuner with wideband design ensures steady interest among vintage FM enthusiasts.