Marconiphone V2 amplifier A2, c1925

When the Marconi V2 broadcast receiver was introduced in 1922 it was expected that headphones would be used to listen to the programmes. Many listeners, however, preferred to use a loudspeaker and Marconi added the A2 amplifier to allow this. The complete outfit, including receiver, amplifier, batteries and loudspeaker, cost around £50, a large sum of money in the mid-1920s. This amplifier has been well-maintained and was acquired with a V2 receiver from the same donor. The two together form an excellent example of the kind of equipment available to better-off listeners at the start of BBC broadcasts.