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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
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uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
It appears that a lot of people do indeed like the Sansui sound.

I am not sure I could/would go with a vintage integrated for my main system but duties I have them pressed into works very well so far.

I may hook one up to my Maggie's and feed my Notts table into an sux input just to see how it sounds.

Tbh the Sanyo receiver is built like the proverbial tank, weighs close to 40lb.

Interesting and cheap experience. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,980 posts
 
I liked the good vintage stuff just fine until I replaced that recently with a new $80 45w/ch amp with blue-tooth that is efficient, sounds it and is about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

Having heard liked and even sold many classic Sansuis in years past, I am pretty certain it sounds nothing like Sansui in its prime though.

If you need or want the fancy controls, lights, and multiple inputs for less than most anything new that might be considered "mid-fi" or better, then the classic vintage stuff used but fixed up as needed by a reliable tech is the way to go.  Just keep in mind buying old electronic gear can be a risky proposition.  
jetter
3,119 posts
 
Sorry for this post, which is a repeat, but my current rig retails for somewhere in the $20K to $30K range, but no one ever compliments me on it.  But many years ago in southern California I had a second system with a Sansui receiver and Cerwin Vega speakers in an enclosed patio.  Didn't matter, whoever heard it would say how great it was, me too.  Go figure.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,806 posts
 
That says a lot about mythic gear and sound...Thanks for the anecdote Jetter...
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