Vintage Amp with a small footprint?

[Mothman]

Having recently added a SB Touch to our kitchen system, I would like to replace the Sony Micro system that it is connected to with a small amplifier while at the same time satisfying my penchant for vintage kit:eyebrows:. Requirements are

1. Small footprint, no more that 11"W x 10"D
2. Colour -Preferably brushed Ali fascia or possibly Black (Brown is a definite nono:nono:)
3. Can be picked up cheap - budget up to £45
4. Must have a decent sound - obviously

My searchings so far seem to indicate that the Trio KA-2000a would fufill the above criteria, but are there any other recommendations that I should be considering?

Cheers

[walpurgis]

I've owned a couple of Trio KA-2000 amplifiers and its true, they do sound remarkable for an early Japanese integrated amplifier, more like the original Sugden A21, very clean and transparent. However, there is one other small Japanese integrated I'd recommend, the Technics SU-C04. It measures 300mm wide x 230mm deep and 75mm high. They date from the early eighties and were originally part of a high quality 'mini system' if I recall. Anyway, it is biased well into Class A operation and sounds exceptional, very lucid, with no nasties. Power is around 25 watts I believe. I have one which I bought about 15 years ago and I used it as a back-up amp, or as an easy to carry item to take to friend's homes to check their systems with. Outstanding little bit of kit, unfortunately they are likely to be rare. Geoff.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Goodmans Maxamp:

http://www.audiofriends.nl/forum/Goodmans%20Maxim/Goodmans%20Maxamp%2030.jpg

Sony TA88:

http://www.itsrealvaluews.com/public/Images/163/image.jpeg

[istari_knight]

If you can find one a Harman Kardon HK-401 would be lovely.

I owned one in the past but sold it only for it to get damaged in transit :doh: They are wonderful little things, proper 70s American warm & euphoric sound with build quality to last a lifetime. IIRC its rated a 20wpc but the power supply would be oversized in a 50wpc amp.

They do come up... I bought mine for £25 not 12 months ago...

[istari_knight]

It looks rather large in the picture but I can assure you its only an inch wider than a Quad amp.

[istari_knight]

Or... Something like a Quad 33 preamp with a little Mini-T hidden away. I dunno just throwing ideas out there ! :D ....Over budget I know (forgot about that!)

[Reid Malenfant]

Crimson Electric :)

[chelsea]

Aiwa c50/p50

[seoirse2002]

Ive seen the little teac reference AH-300 go for around the £60 mark on the bay....cracking little amp.

[Mothman]

Cheers guys, keep them coming.

Geoff, I have added the Techy to the list though like you say they seem rare.

James, that HK is gorgeous:drool:, though I fear it may be too big. I haven't found the exact dimensions on the net yet but will keep looking.

Chris, I like the Goodmans and the Sony, however Mrs Mothman she say No!:lol: but thanks for the suggestion.

[Rare Bird]

Ion 'Obelisk' amps were small

[The Grand Wazoo]

It'd be interesting to hear of your definition of vintage, Rich - it seems that this varies with everyone!

[Rare Bird]

Cos people generally seem to use the term classic & vintage in the same breath..I was gona create a proper vintage section but refrained from going ahead with it, as i believe it would not work with people.

[StanleyB]

I was offered the job of creating a proper vintage section but refrained from going ahead with it, as i believe it would not work with people.
Is it due to lack of faith in your ability to do a good job, or lack of faith in the people who would be the likely users?

[Rare Bird]

:confused:

[StanleyB]

You mentioned that you turned it down, because you believed it wouldn't work. Surely you must have had reasons to come to your believes. What were those reasons?

[Mothman]

It'd be interesting to hear of your definition of vintage, Rich - it seems that this varies with everyone!

A fair point Chris and like you say different for everyone. I think 70's or very early 80's would cover most of it but I have no absolutes. My adolesence was in the era of lots of brushed aluminium fascias and VU meters and so I guess this is where my heart lies. Of the kit listed so far Jame's HK would be my favorite in the looks department though it maybe too big.

[Jonboy]

I have a Trio KA 2000 that has had a few mods done and now sounds very good indeed,

:thumbsup: from me

[Mr Kipling]

Cos people generally seem to use the term classic & vintage in the same breath..I was gona create a proper vintage section but refrained from going ahead with it, as i believe it would not work with people.
As André has said people often link the two when they are quite different terms. Vintage is age-related and classic is something having aquired cult-like status. You can have a classic car, a classic vintage car, a classic modern car, a vintage car, a vintage classic car, but you can't really have a vintage modern car, can you? My choice would be a Nytech, but they cost more than £45. The Teac that has been mentioned would be an alternative. What about a Denon M30 cd/tuner/amp?

Kind Regards,
Stephen

[Rare Bird]

I have a Trio KA 2000 that has had a few mods done and now sounds very good indeed,

:thumbsup: from me
Too right Jon i have a 'KA2000' & 'KA2000a' I love em, in no way am i embaressed to use them as a main amp :eyebrows:

[The Black Adder]

Goodmans Maxamp:

http://www.audiofriends.nl/forum/Goodmans%20Maxim/Goodmans%20Maxamp%2030.jpg

Sony TA88:

http://www.itsrealvaluews.com/public/Images/163/image.jpeg

:exactly: