Aution Over: $980.00!!!
Well, now I feel somewhat vindicated. :yes:
The extremely rare Technics SA-1000 "big bad ass" Receiver was up for an entire week on the world's most popular auction site and didn't even crack $1,000.00.
Came close though!!
There was nothing basically wrong with this SA-1000, as far as could be seen, and yet it did not outsell the typical SX-1980s, G22000s and 2500s and didn't even come REMOTELY close to the typical 33000s and 2600s, which is the same way it was back when I sold these new. Unfortunately, back in the day, the Technics was MSRP'd at about the same as the other Super Monsters. However, it was not as desireable then and the intervening years have merely solidified the ranking of the various Super Monsters. That's why the Technics had to be sold for HUGE discounts. Othewise, people went for the Marantz, Sansui or Pioneer instead. No customer that I ever demo'd for frankly preferred the Technics over the others that I can remember.
So, please don't argue with me about my observations on the SA-1000, your beef is with all the people who refused to pay more than $980.00 for "the world's most powerful receiver". Evidently, they voted with their wallets.
Interesting auction with an entirely predictable outcome.
What I think is even more interesting is that if a nice Rotel RX-1603 showed up it could even outsell the SA-1000, as could a nice Hitachi SR-2004. (The bidding on the last one started at $1,000.00 with poor photos and no takers).
So, that pretty much establishes the vintage Monster desirability pecking order in the minds of most collectors as I see it:
2600
G33000
2500/SX-1980/G2200 (all about the same)
RX-1603/SR-2004/SA-1000/CR-3020/2355 (all about the same)
G-9000/SX-1280 (about the same now)
SX-1250/16.5/KR-9050/2325/2330B (all about the same)
KR-9600/2285B
TX-8500 MkII
SA-7150
RS-2015/RS-1080
However, I do hope the high bidder got what he/she is hoping for. And, if they're an AK'er....that would be really cool!
-- Chris