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.
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?
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?
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- 103 posts total
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? |
Great thread you all have you all have going on here. I am the original owner of a Nikko NA-890 integrated amp and it has provided decades of solid musical enjoyment. The specs on it are pretty darn good on her as well. Specifications Power output: 70 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz Total harmonic distortion: 0.04% Lower than most modern SS amps. Damping factor: 60 Input sensitivity: 2.3mV (MM), 150mV (line) Signal to noise ratio: 85dB (MM), 100dB (line) Output: 150mV (line) Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω Dimensions: 420 x 138 x 335mm Weight: 11kg I have it as part of my stereo set up in my large kitchen. It drives a pair of Ohm L2s, with brand new Ohm upgraded 8" woofers. My player is a Yamaha CD S-2100, read my review on the digital page, and I have a Black Jack Foz SS-X between them. I rarely ever turn it up to half the volume as it gets plenty loud.I had it cleaned, as I brought it out of storage about eight months ago, but did not consider to get it refurbished. @baranyi thanks for the the recommendation about Puckerbrush Audio. I will email him and ask about his thoughts working on this unit. I was think of upgrading to a brand new unit but if the refurbish work will give me the same, or better results I will stick with the Nikko. One great option not mentioned yet was the loudness switch that these vintage units always had on them. For low volume listening it was also a must. Now with the Foz SS-X I am no longer using the loudness switch, as it creates way to much bass when it it is on....did I just type that?!? I have heard that many of these vintage units are heading back to Japan and China so if you come across something in great shape, for a great prices you should snatch it up. It was also very common that many of the major brands had many of the same transformers, resistors, capacitors, etc. in their units so the base line for quality was high, even for an entry level unit. I love these blog posts by John Strohbeen, the owner of Ohm Speakers. Here is a highly enjoyable one on the almost extinct loudness switch. https://ohmspeaker.com/news/how-to-make-your-speakers-sound-great-at-high-and-low-levels/ This one mentions my favorite vintage speakers the Ohm H's, which are the mains in my HT rig. https://ohmspeaker.com/news/best-bookshelf-speakers-of-the-golden-age-the-ohm-h/ He has plenty of other great blog posts as well, so check them out. My buddy, he owns a pair of Walsh 2's, and I are hoping to go visit their listening room down in Brooklyn before summer's end. Happy trials. |
I recently purchased a Proton D540....Taiwanese I believe. It sounds amazing. From the late 80's. 6db of headroom. Just brought my Dahlquist DQ10's to life.
https://therobbcollections.blogspot.com/2018/07/proton-audio-nad-and-dynaco-are-cousins.html |
- 103 posts total