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Recommended cheaper vintage SS Integrated Amps?

I’ve been pondering trying a vintage SS integrated amp for a while. Which brands *in general* aside from the obvious Sansui do you recommend, or specific models? Looking for that warm, mellow vintage sound I read about, which I know is very brand (or even down to model) specific

Three that I’ve found from a reputable vintage dealer are: Marantz 1070 (not recapped), Kenwood KA-3500 (recapped) and Pioneer SA-5800 (not recapped). Any thoughts on these? I know the Marantz 1070 is well liked but what about the other two?

Side question: should ca. 1970s amps be recapped? I’m getting different opinions on this but I would say yes given their age (electrolytics of this vintage aren’t nearly as robust as current ones)
greg7
boothroyd
365 posts
 
Many great choices out there including Sansui as mentioned. 
I feel of all my SS restored vintage integrated amps (20 or so) the Kenwood 7100 is the peach without breaking the bank.

As long as a pre/pwr loop is not needed, it seems to make the best sounds with a variety of speakers and overall more reliable than the KA-8100 which suffer from noisy Filter switches (buttons).
The Marantz 1060 is also worth mentioning as its MM phono section is a very good, but overall it is a bit darker overall by comparison.

Not sure just how similar these are to the KA-3500 & 1070 although I suspect similar characteristics with the Kenwood being Direct Coupled & the Marantz capacitor coupled.
jg2077
159 posts
 
I second the sansui au717.  Very good piece.  Also,  look for Coda gear, well made and built to last.

Good luck, 
Jose
ericsch
752 posts
 
Sherwood made some really nice receivers, not sure if they manufactured integrateds. I had a S-8900 like this one.
No affiliation.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333978516408?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&...

fertguy's avatar
fertguy
303 posts
 
My first amp was the AU 717 Sansui also. Next was & still is a TFM 45 Carver.  It's rebuilt now & very tube like. 375 wpc.  Great amp.
rfnoise
153 posts
 
Check out the Yamaha A-1000 (not DSP A-1000, that was a home theater receiver). It was their flagship integrated amp in the early eighties, and sounds excellent. It operates in pure class A up to 10wpc then slides into class A/B up to 120wpc into 8ohm thereafter. 4ohm stable.
It was available in black or silver, and can be had for a fairly reasonable price. I believe I paid around $200 for mine five or so years ago.

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