WTB... A&R CAMBRIDGE A60 amplifier

[steve s]

Hi,

Had an A&R A60 years ago and remember what a great little amp it was. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic at the moment and looking out for another one with a view to maybe getting it updated with modern components. Just missed out out on a couple on ebay as I wasn't around at the end of auction.

So was wondering if anyone here might have one they're not using and might want to sell ?

Steve

[tankertop]

Will PM...

[steve s]

Still looking for one ... later models with speaker binding posts not 2 pin dins

Steve

[Ninanina]

Hi,

Had an A&R A60 years ago and remember what a great little amp it was. I'm feeling a bit nostalgic at the moment and looking out for another one with a view to maybe getting it updated with modern components. Just missed out out on a couple on ebay as I wasn't around at the end of auction.

So was wondering if anyone here might have one they're not using and might want to sell ?

Steve

I think you will be very disappointed with an A&R A60 amp... I have a friend that had one from new until recently and he now uses NVA amps (poor sod!!) but the A60 was trounced by pretty much any other amp I had him try...

[walpurgis]

I think you will be very disappointed with an A&R A60 amp... I have a friend that had one from new until recently and he now uses NVA amps (poor sod!!) but the A60 was trounced by pretty much any other amp I had him try...

I'd go along with that. I've had a couple of A60s and found them dull.

[steve s]

I'd go along with that. I've had a couple of A60s and found them dull.

Really ?? I had one before and remembered it sounding really good, though not particularly powerful. It was 20 years ago so maybe my memory's playing tricks and at the time it was the first 'proper HiFi' I had owned. It's not for my main system though, was just going to try and get a cheapy, give it a recap and get the pre/power split done to turn it into an AP60. Was also thinking it could make a good hpa .... seem to remember the headphone output being ok.

[The Barbarian]

The 2 Pin Din outputs are only on the very very early units, these don't come up for sale that often anyway. The one i have is a 1982 model i bought brand new with IC phonostage. I swapped out the original 'NE5534's for Analogue devices IC's. however if i get the chance to come across an earlier model with fully discrete phono stage i'll jump on that. I like Dins & much prefer them to Phono connectors tbh.

Note: Turntable input were Din until around the back end of 1983, Dedicated CD input 1985. Also the later Chassis were all in one affair, the earlier models were three piece. Flat plate chassis, Aluminium 'L' section front & rear facia's.

I always like the 'A60AP' With 'SA60X' power amp, i used this combo in Active system back then.. There is not many amps i have owned through the years i can trooley say i have loved but the 'A60' is one of my old favs

btw: They are not dull imho.

[spendorman]

Apart from the version with the DIN speaker sockets, I think I have one of each of the different versions:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3514/3843613334_6f0d5a1733_s.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/6RDwkq)A60 3 off (https://flic.kr/p/6RDwkq) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/people/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

The ones with the IC phono stages, are much quieter when switched to phono.

[steve s]

Apart from the version with the DIN speaker sockets, I think I have one of each of the different versions:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3514/3843613334_6f0d5a1733_s.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/6RDwkq)A60 3 off (https://flic.kr/p/6RDwkq) by A60man (https://www.flickr.com/people/41679262@N02/), on Flickr

The ones with the IC phono stages, are much quieter when switched to phono.

Decisions, decisions.... that's a tough one Alex .... errrrr ... :scratch: ...umm.................... I'll take the top one then !! ;)

Steve

[PaulStewart]

PM sent

[walpurgis]

If you fancy an older integrated amp that has remarkable sound quality, try a seventies Trio KA-2000 or KA-2000A. They sound very pure and transparent and drive most speakers OK. Lovely little amps.

[The Barbarian]

Yeh i have a 'KA2000a' & two 'KA2000'.. Also have a 'TK150' which is an even earlier version with Germanium transistors.. The phono stages as great in theses.

[Martyn Miles]

If you fancy an older integrated amp that has remarkable sound quality, try a seventies Trio KA-2000 or KA-2000A. They sound very pure and transparent and drive most speakers OK. Lovely little amps.

I once had a '4002. It was very good and I should never have sold it...

[DSJR]

We had a 2000A? (brown front) in the workshop in the 80's and 90's as general workhorse for testing other things with. Back then, they were worth very little and this poor thing was used eight hours a day six days a week. When I last visited them in around 2002, it was still there :) Nice un-fatiguing sound I remember. before that we used a Metrosound ST20E, another potentially great 10W amp with good caps inside, but the caps would be wrecked by now and my sample (which is sulking in the loft) is desperate for some attention as it hums through the speakers!

[Macca]

Linn Sondek LP12 - A60 - Wharfedale Diamond 4. In a huge room - still one of the most enjoyable systems I ever heard. That was in 1991. All the kit was second hand even then, even the cartridge.

[steve s]

If you fancy an older integrated amp that has remarkable sound quality, try a seventies Trio KA-2000 or KA-2000A. They sound very pure and transparent and drive most speakers OK. Lovely little amps.

I'm not really looking for an older intergrated amp in general. I'm after an A60 in particular, because I owned many years ago (my first proper hifi amp) and really loved its sound and design. So its a part nostalgia/part curiosity thing really... I'm not imagining it'll oust my MF in the role of main amp.

Thanks for the input tho' guys and if I come across a Trio at the car bootie, I'll be on it for sure !!

[Ninanina]

I'm after an A60 in particular, because I owned many years ago

There are a 7 listed on eBay at the moment if you REALLY want to give one a go.... I still think you will be very disappinted with one though... ;)

[PaulStewart]

As I said in the PM I have one to sell. A nice one with the binding posts, case needs a polish. PM me if interested

[YNWaN]

I'd go along with that. I've had a couple of A60s and found them dull.

I would agree I'm afraid.

[twotone]

I had one and loved it but it had been recently re-capped and fully serviced by RGBristol (Richard) on PFM who specialises in these amp so if the OP wants a good one then PM Richard on PFM.

Mine was wonderful, I also had a refurbed T21 by Richard.

Tony

[DSJR]

They're not dull, but by now they'll need a service and supply recap. Fuses could blow for no reason and once too often, the output stage could blow. Get an early one properly serviced and it's superbly musical, albeit with heavily filtered bass on the phono stage.

[steve s]

They're not dull, but by now they'll need a service and supply recap. Fuses could blow for no reason and once too often, the output stage could blow. Get an early one properly serviced and it's superbly musical, albeit with heavily filtered bass on the phono stage.

Just this minute sorted one out.... thank you 'Paul Stewart' (and thanks to 'Tankertop' for his offer)

Always planned to get the full works done, just need to find someone to do it. Not much synergy between me and a soldering iron, even if I knew the difference between a a resistor and a psu !! Might try over on The Drawing Board and see if anyone's interested. The phono stage probably won't get used, I'm all digital nowadays.

Steve

[The Barbarian]

They're not dull, but by now they'll need a service and supply recap. Fuses could blow for no reason and once too often, the output stage could blow. Get an early one properly serviced and it's superbly musical, albeit with heavily filtered bass on the phono stage.

Well mine aint dull that's for sure if anything can be a tad bright with the 'M95HE'

Dave the Brown faced Trio is the 'KA2000' the 'KA2000A' is brushed silver

[DSJR]

Thanks Andr'e - that made it even older I think :eek:

[chelsea]

Would like to try one again at some point.

[steve s]

Would like to try one again at some point.When I get my new one, I'll let you know if my listening experience was as enjoyable as last time I heard one, 20 years ago.

[The Barbarian]

Thanks Andr'e - that made it even older I think :eek: Yes but the 'TK150' i have is an even older version.

[take5]

Ive owned one for 30 years, from new. In fact it was my only amp for the first 25 of those years. I think it is great.

It has worked perfectly for all of those years with nothing done to it. A little crackle now with the volume control, which goes away after a "wiggle". But for me it has been great purchase.

It is bettered by some of the recent amps that Ive had, but it has also been better than many of the others. So , for what they go for now, I think they are fantastic and I wont be selling mine.

Stu, I'll try to remember to bring it next March and you can have a listen.

[The Barbarian]

Even better after a proper rebuild..Ive started using mine again, forgot how great they were.. I completed re-build on mine over ten years ago. Decided to fit Slit Foil PSU caps a few years later.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Never owned one; though I've always fancied giving one a whirl, so if anybody has one they would like to move on.

[The Barbarian]

I was looking for the recipt, but can't find it, when i bought mine in around 1983 from Moorgate Acoustics Rotherham when they were in the old Westgate Chambers, bought all my clobber from there.. I bought the matching 'T21' tuner a few months later on.. Later bought the 'SA200' power amp & 'C200' pre. Never liked the Pre..to my ears i always thought my 'SA60' power amp sounded better that the 'SA200' or maybe this was because i was using the 'A60'/'SA60X' in active system with ARC '101' speakers & A&R '101' active board installed in the 'SA60X' at the time..

I still have the 'SA60' it unit no 0021

What i know i still have but also cannot find is the old A&R 'HA-10' MC head amp!

[twotone]

Never owned one; though I've always fancied giving one a whirl, so if anybody has one they would like to move on.

Great amps, I had one for about a year recently, very musical, I replaced it with Rega Brio-R which was a better amp IMO with remote etc but not a huge difference, The Brio-R is also a musical amp.

My Current amp, an XTZ Class-A0100D3, beats both of them big time though.

The Harbeth P3s and the JR 149s sound fantastic with the XTZ amp, think it's the current thing.

Tony

[steve s]

Finally got a 5 pin DIN lead and hooked up my newly aquired A60 for a listen and it sounds amazing. If anything a bit better than I remember it from 20 years back.

I'd forgotten just how detailed and musical they were ..... and not at all dull. I've temporarily swapped out my very good £1k Musical Fidelity M3 with it and whilst its obviously not its equal, its not a million miles away either !! ..... and the same goes with its headphone output compared to my Lehmann BCL, not a massive difference in SQ.

OK, I might be getting a bit over excited (only had an hour of listening so far) but this is a really good sounding little amp.... just like I remembered it to be.

Steve

[tankertop]

I suspect there are a lot of people who listened to the A60 when it came out, thought that's plenty good enough and then simply got off the hi-fi upgraditis travelator. Probably filled their days with replacing bushes on Spitfires and the like. Put simply, it's a very honest product that just makes music and - nowadays - costs beer money. Well, a few six-packs of Asahi, anyhow...



Finally got a 5 pin DIN lead and hooked up my newly aquired A60 for a listen and it sounds amazing. If anything a bit better than I remember it from 20 years back.

I'd forgotten just how detailed and musical they were ..... and not at all dull. I've temporarily swapped out my very good £1k Musical Fidelity M3 with it and whilst its obviously not its equal, its not a million miles away either !! ..... and the same goes with its headphone output compared to my Lehmann BCL, not a massive difference in SQ.

OK, I might be getting a bit over excited (only had an hour of listening so far) but this is a really good sounding little amp.... just like I remembered it to be.

Steve

[The Barbarian]

I use mine now, it will probably stay put for good tbh.