2. amps-preamps
  3. 1290711373

El cheapo sleeper amps....

I have an el cheapo intergrated amp non-es Sony from the late 80s-early 90s era and Im puzzled why this relatively modest amp is such a stellar performer...and the phono stage is above average as well...any other sleeper el cheapo amps that out perform their modest intentions?
128x128phasecorrect
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
I have been enjoying the heck out of a Heathkit sa3 integrated c.1960. Cost me a whopping $160. That's less than $60 per quality watt! Old school here. Flash forward 20 years, same holds true. Little $$+ big enjoyment= Smarts!! Enjoy our giving of Thanks this day!!
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Why would you be surprised your Sony sounds so good? Sony is the company that made Marantz popular with their solid state Receivers, Tuners, amplifiers and preamps in the 1970s.

There are to many sleeper amps to mention all of them.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
Rrog,
How did Sony make Marantz popular?
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
As far as Sony making a great sounding integrated...

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Not doubting it sounds good, just saying.
truman
167 posts
 
Absolutely. Refurbished Scott, Dynaco, Eico, Heathkit, Knight, Hammond organ, etc. vintage tube amps.You don't have to turn it up to loud levels to hear full sound and decent bass. Tubes are the low cost way to get harmonics/which IMHO is the heart of music. Autospec and Cjkinpa do great jobs and I can recommend them both highly.
More to discover