Anybody used Nikko amps before?

Yes, I used a Alpha IV(?) for over 20 years. It is the one Nikko product that was really special. 360 watts RMS on the weak channel, and could handle low impedance loads without a problem. The other lower power amps from Nikko just did not sound as good. I picked it over a early Bedini amp but the sound of the two were very similar. The preamps were nothing super special and the tuners were fine but not the last word. I still have the tuner and my brother still uses the amp with his Maggie 3.6R's.
Thanx
Russ

I have used Alpha 230, and regretably sold it couple of weeks ago! Very smooth amp, and i cannot believe that any current models would be that much better considering the prices of the new gear. Mating it with nice pre-amp (not familiar with Nikko pre) would probably give you long term satisfaction!

The Nikko amps & receivers that I am familiar with, were entry level, mid-fi solid state components from the 70's that were marketed as bargain components that performed above their price. The Nikkos were heavily pushed by stereo chains, like Tech Hi Fi. As vintage solid state components from the 70's go, I would place the Nikkos below the Marantz 22XX series, Yamaha CT series, Pioneer SX series, and Sherwood 7XXX series. The Nikkos were more on par with offerings from Hitachi, Scott, and Fisher Studio Standard. They were OK components for the price. I am certain that their performance would be easily equaled by similar products today (i.e.: Harman Kardon 3375). Regards, Rich

Thanks for the responses. Rar1, so your saying the Nikko is not up to NAD, Adcom, etc. in sound or quality.

Unless we are talking TOTL Nikko (which I have no experience with), then in today's entry level market, you will do better with NAD (like the 320BEE), Audiosource (Amp 2), SONY ES, Adcom (not too familiar with recent offerings, but I still own a 545/500II set-up since 1989), Harman Kardon (fan of their 3375 receiver). As for a vintage set-up, I would look to Marantz 22XX series (like 2230 or 2270) or Pioneer SX series. In the entry to mid level arena, I thought that Nikko was OK, but just OK. I own 2 vintage receivers (Marantz #'s 2216B and 2240)and in their niche, they would be hard to beat for all-round FM/AMP performance ... warm, detailed, sweet sound.

Highend64 ... are you looking to set-up a vintage based system? If so, what I found that works best is to focus on what were the best brands from the era and look to acquire an item from those brands. There is a lot of mediocre old equipment out there being touted as vintage collectables. Regards, Rich