Any advice?

[rowboatcop]

New to the game, trying to build a modest priced rig based on a sl1300 Technics (M1) and need to decide this weekend about a vintage amp. My question is:

JVC JA-S71 or JA-S55?

I know what I prefer but wondered if there were any important technical aspects I should consider.

Appreciate any input!

 

[rowboatcop]

After a bit of digging...

I've found the main difference to be:

2 x 130 Watt @ 4 Ohm over 2 x 65 Watt @ 8 Ohm.

But that only gets me further away from knowing what's going on.

 

[jhoyt]

Any amp that is "rated" to drive a 4-ohm load is "better" than an amp only rated to drive 8-ohms. That's a broad-brush rule of thumb, but it generally means a better power supply and better load handling (heat sinking, etc.).

Also, it appears that the S71 has a pretty flexible phono stage. I'd go with the S71.

 

[rowboatcop]

Cool, Cool, Cool!

That's awesome, man... Thanks.*

*thinks in head - I wonder what he would say if I threw a Pioneer sa-608 into the mix.

 

[mhardy6647]

I'd also say the JA-S71, but not because of the "4 ohm" power specification.

If memory serves, the JA-S71 is the earlier of the two. As such, I reckon it is likely better built and I further reckon that it probably uses discrete output devices (transistors) rather than the thick-film "packaged" output modules that became the standard towards the end of the 1970s. I am pretty sure that the JA-S55 uses the modular outputs - this can be a problem if parts fail and the modules are no longer available.

I don't have a scan of the JA-S71 blurb handy... but here's the JA-S55.

... and its kin...

I'll see if I can dig up info on the JA-S71.

 

[rowboatcop]

Wow. Thank you!

I never imagined this would result in such helpful advice!

But, of course, as I slowly justify spending a little more I keep finding other options. I have to ask about this Marantz 1070. I can't find any stats on it but I know the name pops...

 

[mhardy6647]

Never heard a 1070. I'm personally not a big fan of the Superscope-era Marantz solid state equipment... but the 1060 was a pretty decent little amplifier. I've got two of 'em (both dump finds) in the basement.

 

[kermit z]

JVC made some good sounding gear. If you can have a listen to both, that would be helpful in deciding

 

[mhardy6647]

"a day late and a dollar short"
(also, sorry that the scan quality isn't better)

 

[wizargoz]

That's a sweet looking amp right there...

 

[mhardy6647]

Yes it is a nice piece of hardware - vastly under-rated at the time.

 

[rowboatcop]

Thanks again - Seems like I'm going with the 71!

But let's talk money. The guy is asking for 200 bones, or clams, or whatever you call them... What should I be trying to get him down to? (In a seller's market).