Lafayette KT-174 (1961–1962)
Little is documented about the Lafayette KT-174 outside of a handful of period trade ads. The record shows a vacuum-tube voltmeter (VTVM) kit sold by Lafayette Radio. It was aimed at the audio and high-fidelity enthusiast who needed a multi-purpose test instrument for the workbench.
Audio (March 1961, p.59) ran the KT-174 in its "New Products" section and called it a "breakthrough in kit design." One chassis held a DC voltmeter, an AC voltmeter, and an ohmmeter. A specially designed probe let the user switch between AC, DC, and ohms with a push button. The low AC ranges were meant for noise and gain measurements in audio and hi-fi work. The kit used a printed-circuit board to make assembly easier. The case measured 5½ × 6 × 5 inches. The price was $39.95.
A year and a half later, Audio (December 1962, p.48) listed the KT-174 in an annual cumulative index, so the model was still in circulation. The same issue briefly noted seven DC ranges (to 4200 volts), seven ohms ranges (to 1000 megohms), and seven zero-center ranges (from ±0.75 V to ±750 V). Beyond these magazine references, no service manuals, production totals, or user anecdotes have surfaced in the usual collector archives.
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