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The Golden era of Japanese integrated amps, are we missing out?

Maybe it’s just me but.....
I just threw together an el cheapo system with a Sansui A-2100 integrated at its heart and diminutive Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers.

And I still cannot get over just how good and right it sounds.... All for $240 total shipped!

So this got me thinking about the golden era of Japanese equipment and while tuners , tape decks and turntables appear to have large followings and a large knowledge and fan base, I do not get the same vibe on integrated amps?

Are there devotees of these amps out there?
I very rarely hear anybody talking about them and so many can be picked up for peanuts, I mean $75 shipped in perfect working order and decent cosmetics( and built in mm phono to boot!).
Are they likely to be the next " big thing" or?

Thoughts?
uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
One other possible interesting aspect.

I purchased an Aiwa AD-F780 cassette deck.
Inserted into main system and was positively underwhelmed.

Moved it to the " vintage" system and it put a big smile on my face indeed.

I wonder if similar vintage gear is voiced in a similar manner so making them appear to be more compatible together?
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,341 posts
 
My brother has the vintage reissue from Airtight with Tango transformers. It is a exceptionally great sounding integrated amp.
buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
510 posts
 
Cool thread , the Old Japanese amps rock . I have receivers, as I enjoy the aesthetics more . I have a Sansui 9090, Sansui 7070, Marantz 2223B. The lower powered Marantz pairs very well with my Zu Omens and Klipsch KG 1.5’s . The Sansui 7070 is paired with Klipsch Heresy II’s and the 9090 has enough power ( barely ) to match well with my JBL 4313A’s on Sound Anchor stands . As one person stated of being dismayed after a few weeks , I concur . But with the modest prices for this gear , I can rotate and also include my vintage tube gear . I once ran the Marantz 2223 with pre out to my Dynaco MK III’s. So it was Oppo 105 to Marantz to Dynaco to JBL . Actually sounded pretty nice . I also have the brown braided speaker cables from the 70’s ( brand escapes me ). My next adventure is to restore the 7070 even though it sounds decent . If it’s a big enough improvement , I’ll risk doing it on the pricier amps. Cheers , Mike . 
actaman
10 posts
 
If it sounds great to you, then it’s s great. Don’t let any “expert” opinions convince you otherwise. You have achieved your own personal audio Nirvana. Enjoy it! If it fails, get it fixed, then enjoy it some more. 
psioni's avatar
psioni
11 posts
 
ABSOLUTE best was small Sony FET integated , best sound I have ever heard .
schubert, now you have me curious. Any idea what the model name was on that FET integrated?
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