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A Technics SE-A70 for $1400 ???
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cal_tyke
Member
$1400 seems like a big number to me.
I was really lucky to pick up an SEA-A70 and SU-A60 (matching pre-amp with MC/MM phono) on your local CL just a couple/few months ago. I was even more lucky to pick them both up for less than $100. It was a bit of a gamble because I picked them up from an area I wouldn't normally spend too much time in (in->out = quick!) and I didn't have a good indication they were working properly. I'm not universally lucky, I've gambled before and lost.
Mine are in pretty ratty condition cosmetically, lots of scratches (see picture, top of pre-amp is worse) and some of the veneer on the side panels is in poor shape. However - as far as I can tell all is working well, with only one really minor fault on a switch I won't use.
I haven't had a lot of listening time yet, but my limited observations are excellent. I was totally blown away from the first CD I played. Nothing has driven my Celestion SL-600s better, including some nice Marantz and Denon equipment. Can't wait to plug in a decent phono source.
For now I will be living with the ratty condition and enjoying the sounds! It could be a long term keeper, and I have been looking for a pre-amp with an MC input for a while.
Send me a PM, you're welcome to come take a listen if you like. Otherwise, continue the search, in my view they're worthwhile amps.
Must get hold of some manuals. Oh just remembered, I got the matching tuner too (equally poor cosmetically).
I was really lucky to pick up an SEA-A70 and SU-A60 (matching pre-amp with MC/MM phono) on your local CL just a couple/few months ago. I was even more lucky to pick them both up for less than $100. It was a bit of a gamble because I picked them up from an area I wouldn't normally spend too much time in (in->out = quick!) and I didn't have a good indication they were working properly. I'm not universally lucky, I've gambled before and lost.
Mine are in pretty ratty condition cosmetically, lots of scratches (see picture, top of pre-amp is worse) and some of the veneer on the side panels is in poor shape. However - as far as I can tell all is working well, with only one really minor fault on a switch I won't use.
I haven't had a lot of listening time yet, but my limited observations are excellent. I was totally blown away from the first CD I played. Nothing has driven my Celestion SL-600s better, including some nice Marantz and Denon equipment. Can't wait to plug in a decent phono source.
For now I will be living with the ratty condition and enjoying the sounds! It could be a long term keeper, and I have been looking for a pre-amp with an MC input for a while.
Send me a PM, you're welcome to come take a listen if you like. Otherwise, continue the search, in my view they're worthwhile amps.
Must get hold of some manuals. Oh just remembered, I got the matching tuner too (equally poor cosmetically).
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70sBest
New Member
The correct pre-amp sold with the SE-A70 was the SU-A80, not a SU-A60
Today a nice set went up on eBay (amp and preamp) for $1799 - in great condition appearance-wise. I routinely see the SE-A70s going for $1200 if they aren't banged up.
I have just the power amp SE-A70 myself, that pushes around Infinity's real nicely. I've go a SU-A80 pre-amp basket case, needing the small pc board attached right behind the volume knob.
I also hawk suitable lamps on eBay for the power meters, a lamp that is obsoleted by Panasonic and which will also fit the Technics SE-A5 and the Technics SE-A5MkII Power Amps.
Today a nice set went up on eBay (amp and preamp) for $1799 - in great condition appearance-wise. I routinely see the SE-A70s going for $1200 if they aren't banged up.
I have just the power amp SE-A70 myself, that pushes around Infinity's real nicely. I've go a SU-A80 pre-amp basket case, needing the small pc board attached right behind the volume knob.
I also hawk suitable lamps on eBay for the power meters, a lamp that is obsoleted by Panasonic and which will also fit the Technics SE-A5 and the Technics SE-A5MkII Power Amps.
70sBest
New Member
Well, I dunno, do I? Hey Mr. Britain, I've not got your counts for sure. Nowhere above did I state what I paid for a fine SE-A70, only what they go for. I bought mine from a military USN from Japan that bought it in the later '80s. Gold fetched a lot less in the '70s too (SE-9600), which time I lived in Cheltenham, Bucks, and was lighter too.
Geeze, judging sound by kg? Too much. Glad I'm USA.
I had no idea that amplifiers were sold by the kg. I can only tell you it weighs quite a few lbs. (your kg is close), but if you looked at market on us.ebay, it supports what I stated on "sold". A ragged SE-Axx will go for $800.
It is well rated in the Technics community, and does also have those awesome VU meters. The SE-A70 is similar to the SE-A5Mk2 but improved. The SE-A5 preceded both, so maybe reason it got superseded quickly and list prices rose. The seller on eBay.us now just listed higher after not getting his price last cycle.
It also is a fact that the market drives the demand, not weight.
Geeze, judging sound by kg? Too much. Glad I'm USA.
I had no idea that amplifiers were sold by the kg. I can only tell you it weighs quite a few lbs. (your kg is close), but if you looked at market on us.ebay, it supports what I stated on "sold". A ragged SE-Axx will go for $800.
It is well rated in the Technics community, and does also have those awesome VU meters. The SE-A70 is similar to the SE-A5Mk2 but improved. The SE-A5 preceded both, so maybe reason it got superseded quickly and list prices rose. The seller on eBay.us now just listed higher after not getting his price last cycle.
It also is a fact that the market drives the demand, not weight.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
Yo Mr. U.S. 
A Technics SE-A70 power-amp with SU-A80 pre-amp (both in working order and good condition) didn't get one single bid at the starting price of $1700 via Ebay.com (plus it was more-or-less a worldwide listing...see link below). Now the seller has relisted 'em.
Don't get me wrong,it's a very nice combo. But at $1400 just for the power-amp alone is on the high side... you could do alot better for that kind've cash (as I've previously stated).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TECHNICS-SE...419296?hash=item464b52a9a0:g:d80AAOSwdU1W-I8z
A Technics SE-A70 power-amp with SU-A80 pre-amp (both in working order and good condition) didn't get one single bid at the starting price of $1700 via Ebay.com (plus it was more-or-less a worldwide listing...see link below). Now the seller has relisted 'em.
Don't get me wrong,it's a very nice combo. But at $1400 just for the power-amp alone is on the high side... you could do alot better for that kind've cash (as I've previously stated).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TECHNICS-SE...419296?hash=item464b52a9a0:g:d80AAOSwdU1W-I8z
70sBest
New Member
I'm Mr. Maryland. As soon as I see a "IMHO" or just now a "YO", I'm thinking of my grown kids with their lmao's and such.
I do have you wrong I hope.
As soon as I see anyone relating kg/year/vintage/asking price/currency original list remarks/disregard for inflation or even convert currencies (i.e. quid = pound=euro=year), I can 't get relative.
I must need correction here. (by the way, Cheltenham is not in Bucks, UK.)
In my watch list, I have a vintage six transistor pocket radio that relisted in eBay for $10.99 (USD) that got no bids either at $6.99, so I do not understand your point.
Did you learn about the sold filter on eBay and review average price on these SE-A5s, SE-A5MK2s SE-A70s or better? Why wouldn't an amp for $1400 in 2009 not be worth more if well maintained in 2015? + euro deflation + USD gain? Nothing is relative anymore other then what is heard through quality speakers/headphones on vintage stuff, and some models are prime examples.
Have you ever corresponded with Adrian on his page?
http://adrian-kingston.com/SEA5.htm
Yo and cheers.
70sBest.
I do have you wrong I hope.
As soon as I see anyone relating kg/year/vintage/asking price/currency original list remarks/disregard for inflation or even convert currencies (i.e. quid = pound=euro=year), I can 't get relative.
I must need correction here. (by the way, Cheltenham is not in Bucks, UK.)
In my watch list, I have a vintage six transistor pocket radio that relisted in eBay for $10.99 (USD) that got no bids either at $6.99, so I do not understand your point.
Did you learn about the sold filter on eBay and review average price on these SE-A5s, SE-A5MK2s SE-A70s or better? Why wouldn't an amp for $1400 in 2009 not be worth more if well maintained in 2015? + euro deflation + USD gain? Nothing is relative anymore other then what is heard through quality speakers/headphones on vintage stuff, and some models are prime examples.
Have you ever corresponded with Adrian on his page?
http://adrian-kingston.com/SEA5.htm
Yo and cheers.
70sBest.
I'm posting in hopes that I might get a reply despite this thread being a couple years old now. Plugged it in, and it does turn on. However that is as far as I have gotten as I don't want to screw something up and decrease the value/put someone more out of pocket than they had hoped to be. My husband isn't comfortable setting this one up without a little insight from someone more knowledgable so I thought I would reach out on this forum as this is one of two or three that I have been able to dig up in my research. Any help is appreciated! Thanks for listening!
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slowpat
Slowly but surely....
The SU-A80 is a “preamplifier” which controls the volume and source selection. You will need to connect its output to an amplifier to make music. The speakers are connected to the amplifier.
You can do a little research on eBay under Completed Listings to see how much they have sold for. If you are not able to verify the functionality, you can always offer it up in “as is” condition, but you will need to sell it at a lower price.
In order to test, you will need an amplifier hooked up to a pair of speakers. Then hook up the SU-A80 to the amplifier. Then hook up a CD player to the SU-A80.
Good luck!
You can do a little research on eBay under Completed Listings to see how much they have sold for. If you are not able to verify the functionality, you can always offer it up in “as is” condition, but you will need to sell it at a lower price.
In order to test, you will need an amplifier hooked up to a pair of speakers. Then hook up the SU-A80 to the amplifier. Then hook up a CD player to the SU-A80.
Good luck!
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See, he's explained all of that to me so I think I'm explaining myself wrong. lol. He mentioned something about newer amps and such having fail safes (I think... I try to keep up lol) but he wasn't sure if these do or if you just know what you're doing or take a shot in the dark. lol
OMGCat!
Super Member
He might be talking about protection relays in some amps.
What components do you have that you're trying to set up? If just the preamplifier then without any an amplifier to test operation all you can do is turn it on and see if it lights up. If you have an amp and speakers as well you can set everything up and see how it works.
Conversely you can bring it to a stereo repair shop and have them give it a quick look to make sure everything functions. At least you'd be able to put "tested, working" on your ebay listing which would help potential bidders know what they're looking at.
What components do you have that you're trying to set up? If just the preamplifier then without any an amplifier to test operation all you can do is turn it on and see if it lights up. If you have an amp and speakers as well you can set everything up and see how it works.
Conversely you can bring it to a stereo repair shop and have them give it a quick look to make sure everything functions. At least you'd be able to put "tested, working" on your ebay listing which would help potential bidders know what they're looking at.