Forte made different amps in similar cases. I had the model 1a which looked almost exactly the same as this, but was 50watt/channel and claimed to be all class A. This is the class AB sibling, hence the considerably higher power. All used mosfets I think, but with different bias.
The timing mentioned above is right. I bought mine in 1991/92.. The UK importers were speaker manufactuers Acoustic Energy
The comment about 220-240 volt only is odd. My model 1a was switchable between different mains voltages. I my opinion it was a great amp, BUT the toroidal dual voltage transformer sometmes buzzed like hell and for this reason I insisted on upgrading to the later Model 4 (also Class A, but slightly less industrial in looks!) It worked faultlessly for years. I still have it and have been wondering whether to use it in a second system or move it on, so I will be intersted to see what this fetches). It is possible that a previous owner has replaced the transformer in an attempt to reduce the buzz. He mentions the hum on switch on and I would say that is normal, but with my 1a the hum was sometimes unacceptable in what was a fairly quiet house. FWIW on 60 hz, in North America, it did not hum at all.
At its current price this could be very good value but the auction has some time to run. For my money the Class A versions give the better sound and I came across a bit of a Forte Model 4 fan club on one of the US fora.
