Rebirth of an Integrated Amp

[WOStantonCS100]

It's always good to have a back-up plan. Mine was to have an integrated amp at the ready in case my valve phono pre/preamp + SS power amp go down or as is the case now, I have a desire to tweak them. After spending months searching and being disappointed by what is available, I have finally decided it's time to pull out the trusty Pioneer SA-7500 for an overhaul. It's already survived decades with quite nice and powerful sound to boot as is; so, some general maintenance and sonic upgrades should see it nicely for a few more decades.

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz80/TCKA1ESa/IMG_0378.jpg

...in situ quite some years ago (how time has changed things)... ;)

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/spp6_pics/Biff_technics/PDR509_SA7500.jpg

[RobbieGong]

I too love a quality integrated like my beloved Flagship Technics Powerhouse with professional components here http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/technic...amplif_46.html
Currently awaiting repair but when she's up and running the sound is wonderfully transparent, clean, musical and detailed :D

[WOStantonCS100]

I too love a quality integrated like my beloved Flagship Technics Powerhouse with professional components here http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/technic...amplif_46.html
Currently awaiting repair but when she's up and running the sound is wonderfully transparent, clean, musical and detailed :D

Can't quite get to that link, Robert. I would like to see the amp you're talking about.

[RobbieGong]

Try these biff and click on images http://www.classic-audio.com/technics-suvx800-p-785.html

http://home.wxs.nl/~werve040/su-vx800_small.JPG

http://arch10.okr.ro/auctions.v3/700_700/2010/09/25/5/b/69789793030250542831030-4704465-700_700.jpg

[WOStantonCS100]

Try these biff and click on images http://www.classic-audio.com/technics-suvx800-p-785.html

http://home.wxs.nl/~werve040/su-vx800_small.JPG

http://arch10.okr.ro/auctions.v3/700_700/2010/09/25/5/b/69789793030250542831030-4704465-700_700.jpg

Those links worked. Nice integrated; from the days when "full-featured" meant just that.

The only (new production) integrated amps I could find that I would consider full-featured were the Luxman's at 4 to 6 grand (US). If I'm going to spend multiple grand on anything it's going to be for a truly worthy preamp. :eyebrows: Ladies and gents, I give you the SST Ambrosia. Old would meet new as I paired it with my SAE Mark IIIA.

http://www.stereo.co.jp/lis.files/photo.htm/AMP/AMP_SST-Ambrosia2000-1.jpg

http://www.stereo.co.jp/lis.files/photo.htm/AMP/AMP_SST-Ambrosia2000-3.jpg

ooo-lah-laaaah

[YNWaN]

To be honest, I don't entirely get it (bit tired and emotional though ;))

I also have a spare amp semi-constructed (but a pre-amp); however, it is significantly less 'fully featured' than my usual pre-amp than my usual pretty minimalistic amp (single source, no balance control, in fact only volume).

[WOStantonCS100]

To be honest, I don't entirely get it (bit tired and emotional though ;))

We all get that way. :) What don't you get, though? Not sure I know what you mean.


I also have a spare amp semi-constructed (but a pre-amp); however, it is significantly less 'fully featured' than my usual pre-amp than my usual pretty minimalistic amp (single source, no balance control, in fact only volume).

What's the amp, BTW, you're own creation?

I like the sonic presentation of my Foreplay III (input selector, dual mono volume, 2 6189W's and an OD3, point-to-point and not much else); but, that doesn't work when I want to dub on the fly between a turntable, 2 cassette decks, a reel to reel and a high rez digital recorder, as if anyone needs all that. ;) I want to take it down to add a tape out straight off the input selector. But... I can't do with a silent main rig. That would be bad for those around me. :lol:

Back in the day it seemed that every mid mid-fi to high mid-fi integrated was jam packed with features. Then the features started dropping off; but, not so as to chase hi-fi. Nope, that would have been ok. The features just dropped off, the sound didn't get any better (often got worse) and the price went up. WTF!? I know I'm :mental: ; but, my wallet got a case of lockjaw at that point.

Just a few features that started to trail off into a black hole:

- Subsonic (or any type of high pass/low pass filter)
- Tape Monitor (or two)
- Mode (mono/stereo/reverse/L/R)
- Direct and/or Tone Defeat
- Tone Controls
- Balance Control
- Phono Input (even just a simple MM)
- Headphone amp (basic)
- Power (wimpy power sections were still expected to power inefficient speakers... :scratch: