WTD: Vintage Integrated Amplifier

[Weeman1973]

Really fancy a vintage Integrated.

Something big and chromey with wood, yes must have wood sides, top, bottom whatever.

A good phono stage is a must as will be pairing it with my LP12.

Bigger the better with power to spare. Also an Aux input as will also stream to said amp.

Will also consider a receiver but it must be in tip top condition with everything working, no dirty or crackly pots etc and a recent recap or service would be preferred.

Thinking around £500 but would stretch for the right Luxman or Accuphase.......:o)

Let me know what you’ve got!

[RobbieGong]

I really like the look of this. Luxman too, so should be quality.

Seller accepting offers as well ........ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUXMAN-L-525-Amplifier/163648076094?hash=item261a2f793e:g:6IwAAOSwzqBcsfN Q

Owner appraisal https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/l-525.shtml

[vintagesteve]

Consider Pioneer and Sansui who both made amps that were world class or even leaders in their class. Problem is you're unlikely to get one of those for £500.

[RobbieGong]

Consider Pioneer and Sansui who both made amps that were world class or even leaders in their class. Problem is you're unlikely to get one of those for £500.

Exactly and unfortunately.

I wanted to suggest Sansui for sure as a big Sansui user/owner, and Pioneer too but as pointed out, not impossible but couldnt see any of their big/powerful vintages for that money

[Lawrence001]

I really like the look of this. Luxman too, so should be quality.

Seller accepting offers as well ........ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUXMAN-L-525-Amplifier/163648076094?hash=item261a2f793e:g:6IwAAOSwzqBcsfN Q

Owner appraisal https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/luxman/l-525.shtml

Never seen a phono straight button before I thought that only started with CD.

[Weeman1973]

Consider Pioneer and Sansui who both made amps that were world class or even leaders in their class. Problem is you're unlikely to get one of those for £500.

There are Sansui and Pioneer within budget but then perhaps not the ones to be looking at.

There is a nice Pioneer SA8800 for around the money I’m looking for but it’s in Preston.

My issue with spending more or even like SA9800 money (£1500) is that the end of the day, it’s a 40 year old (+) amp and for that cash there are better options to be had with modern equipment.

Looks like I’ll have to rethink.

[vintagesteve]

There are Sansui and Pioneer within budget but then perhaps not the ones to be looking at.

There is a nice Pioneer SA8800 for around the money I’m looking for but it’s in Preston.

My issue with spending more or even like SA9800 money (£1500) is that the end of the day, it’s a 40 year old (+) amp and for that cash there are better options to be had with modern equipment.

Looks like I’ll have to rethink.

Indeed, but there's a certain nostalgic joy to be had running a beautiful looking vintage amp that not only performs as good as if not better than many modern amps, but its physical presence with those wooden side panels and lots of knobs and switches is irresistible. A modern black or silver box just doesn't compare in that respect.

[KJM]

I'm with Steve on this. I've had some very high end amps over the years but a year or so ago when in an 'in between' period acquired a vintage Sony TA5650 Vfet as an interim measure. I was astounded at how good this amp was. Curiosity aroused I chanced across a Yamaha CA2010. Again, ��. There's a vid on YouTube reviewing the CA2010 against its modern equivalent. Check it out, speaks volumes. I've 2 vinyl sources. LP12/Aro/Troika, Garrard 301/SME309/DVXXII. They're both far from uncomfortable hooked up to these amps.

[Idlewithnodrive]

I'm with Steve on this. I've had some very high end amps over the years but a year or so ago when in an 'in between' period acquired a vintage Sony TA5650 Vfet as an interim measure. I was astounded at how good this amp was. Curiosity aroused I chanced across a Yamaha CA2010. Again, ��. There's a vid on YouTube reviewing the CA2010 against its modern equivalent. Check it out, speaks volumes. I've 2 vinyl sources. LP12/Aro/Troika, Garrard 301/SME309/DVXXII. They're both far from uncomfortable hooked up to these amps.

I've also owned a Sony TA5650 VFET amp and the power section, particularly, is absolutely astonishing.

I now own a Denon PMA-850 and don't know of a modern day amp , at a remotely affordable price, that comes anywhere near it.

Top end vintage stuff is amazing vfm.

[walpurgis]

I've also owned a Sony TA5650 VFET amp and the power section, particularly, is absolutely astonishing.

I had one, lovely sounding amp. I'd like to try a TA-8650.

[oldius]

I've also owned a Sony TA5650 VFET amp and the power section, particularly, is absolutely astonishing.

I now own a Denon PMA-850 and don't know of a modern day amp , at a remotely affordable price, that comes anywhere near it.

Top end vintage stuff is amazing vfm.I hear ya!

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[Miller]

Look into a vintage Marantz 1060 made in Japan... I use one in the Summer months as too hot for Single Ended Class A and valve equipment... Within budget with a wood case and the phonostage is exceptional doing justice to any of the cartridges in my stable... Can be used as a pre/power and sounds better than a Leben CS300 in my opinion... Also, well sought after in Japan when I spent time over there.

https://i.postimg.cc/nzj3yf97/c35c6fe54c6fb61bb54631663ecc.jpg

[Weeman1973]

Look into a vintage Marantz 1060 made in Japan... I use one in the Summer months as too hot for Single Ended Class A and valve equipment... Within budget with a wood case and the phonostage is exceptional doing justice to any of the cartridges in my stable... Can be used as a pre/power and sounds better than a Leben CS300 in my opinion... Also, well sought after in Japan when I spent time over there.

https://i.postimg.cc/nzj3yf97/c35c6fe54c6fb61bb54631663ecc.jpg

Thanks - appreciate the insight, particularly with your thoughts against the Leben as I’ve always liked the way that sounds with vinyl


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[Miller]

When I got mine they thought I'd lost the plot... Now three other audiophile friends have one in their stable and they have serious gear plus one with the Leben which he will now sell. Picture of mine in the rack... Love it...

https://i.postimg.cc/7PdMwPVM/66821034-2500954739949871-7150798051630645248-n.jpg

[Opti-cal]

No idea how they sound but this might be of interest. Serviced and with proper speaker terminals too . . . .

Unlikely to best the other suggestions in terms of SQ but does fit the aesthetic bill I would suggest.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STUNNING-VINTAGE-SONY-TA-F4A-AMPLIFIER-SERVICED-AND-BEAUTIFUL-REAL-WOOD-CASE/153979132988?hash=item23d9df1c3c:g:d~8AAOSwMQ5e76c-

[mikeyb]

I had one, lovely sounding amp. I'd like to try a TA-8650.Here you go [emoji6]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264739476197

[Infinitely Baffled]

I've got a gorgeous Sansui AU555a that I'm not doing anything with at the moment. Lovely wooden sleeve, solid machined metal knobs, buttons, toggle switches, triple tone controls - all the tricks. Very, very good cosmetic condition and professionally overhauled/recapped at a cost of £200 a couple of years ago. Very little use since then, sadly. They are reckoned to perform almost as well as their top-of-the-line brethren if this is to be believed: https://stereonomono.blogspot.com/2014/02/sansui-au-555a.html?m=1
Yours for £400 if you are interested.
IB

[Weeman1973]

Thanks all - appreciate the replies.

I got sniped on a Marantz 1060 I was looking at so still open to suggestions....

[Weeman1973]

I've got a gorgeous Sansui AU555a that I'm not doing anything with at the moment. Lovely wooden sleeve, solid machined metal knobs, buttons, toggle switches, triple tone controls - all the tricks. Very, very good cosmetic condition and professionally overhauled/recapped at a cost of £200 a couple of years ago. Very little use since then, sadly. They are reckoned to perform almost as well as their top-of-the-line brethren if this is to be believed: https://stereonomono.blogspot.com/2014/02/sansui-au-555a.html?m=1
Yours for £400 if you are interested.
IB

PM’d

[Opti-cal]

Thanks all - appreciate the replies.

I got sniped on a Marantz 1060 I was looking at so still open to suggestions....

Aaarrrhh sorry buddy that was me I think! I'd had my eye on one for a while as I want to convert one to use the pre-amp section as it has balance and tone controls.

It was between that and a PM7200 but I chanced on this.

Didn't think it would be on the radar as its in Belgium!

Looks even worse as I've recommended you a different one above, I saw the Sony and remembered about your wanted thread so my intentions were good!

Again, apologies!

Any reason you didn't buy it sooner by the way?

[Weeman1973]

Aaarrrhh sorry buddy that was me I think! I'd had my eye on one for a while as I want to convert one to use the pre-amp section as it has balance and tone controls.

It was between that and a PM7200 but I chanced on this.

Didn't think it would be on the radar as its in Belgium!

Looks even worse as I've recommended you a different one above, I saw the Sony and remembered about your wanted thread so my intentions were good!

Again, apologies!

Any reason you didn't buy it sooner by the way?

It’s no problem honestly, my fault for not buying it sooner.

I messaged the guy a couple of days back to ask about the comments on his listing about the ‘spitting’ on the Balance control.

He said he was having his technician friend look into and he’d come back and tell me for sure what the problem was.

When I messaged him again earlier to see if he found out he then said it had sold.

As I say it’s really no bother and appreciate you suggesting the Sony but I don’t think that’s for me thanks.

Best of luck with the Marantz, hope it’s as good as they say it is.

[Opti-cal]

It’s no problem honestly, my fault for not buying it sooner.

I messaged the guy a couple of days back to ask about the comments on his listing about the ‘spitting’ on the Balance control.

He said he was having his technician friend look into and he’d come back and tell me for sure what the problem was.

When I messaged him again earlier to see if he found out he then said it had sold.

As I say it’s really no bother and appreciate you suggesting the Sony but I don’t think that’s for me thanks.

Best of luck with the Marantz, hope it’s as good as they say it is.

That's nice of you to say mate, me too. I couldn't let it hang around at that price for much longer to be fair!

Sansui sounds like a great bet too, sounds like you really can't miss with a lot of these vintage Japanese amps.

I saw a few of them on the bay, some with blue led's which looked very smart. I think the Sansui AU's are actually better looking than the Marantz.

I'd also been looking at a PM4 but a bit out of budget.

Good luck anyway, looking forward to reading any impressions and I'll do a write up at some point too.

Cheers.

[Weeman1973]

Now sorted thanks.

[Jag]

I've also owned a Sony TA5650 VFET amp and the power section, particularly, is absolutely astonishing.

I now own a Denon PMA-850 and don't know of a modern day amp , at a remotely affordable price, that comes anywhere near it.

Top end vintage stuff is amazing vfm.

I have owned the Sony TA-5650, TA-F7 VFET amps and they were splendid sounding plus built like tanks. The other amps I had were the Danon PMA-850 MK2, Trio 600 Supreme as well as matching tuners and still have a Trio KA-907 monster integrated amp with KT-917 FM Tuner and I think some these vintage beauties can give most modern equipment a good run. What makes these vintage amps and tuners IMHO is the sheer build quality, attention to detail and internal layout. Try Tandberg amps/receivers as they are rather good too.

[Martyn Miles]

Not the same power level as some mentioned, but the Sony TA1010 is a lovely vintage amplifier.
Beautifully built and sounds excellent.

I sold mine to buy a Rotel 610, with trendy slider controls.
Bad move...