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Finally building a SAE system

NewOrder

NewOrder

New Member
So I decided to finally build a super system for my shop. When I was in the military back in the 80's I always wanted a complete SAE system. Never could afford it, but now I am at a point I can and will. With that said I am slowly selecting what I want. As I am chasing down these items I was able to find a mint exterior C102 cassette deck. I bought it knowing that it needed a new primary drive belt and that it had decorative corners instead of the frame rack mounts. Does anybody know of a place that has used or NOS parts for SAE systems?
The other sections I was able to secure are:

A202 very nice condition

P102 NOS.

Next looking for :

T102 tuner

E102 (i think) digital EQ

D102 CD player

MAYBE... :

2600 series amp
 
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NewOrder said:
So I decided to finally build a super system for my shop. When I was in the military back in the 80's I always wanted a complete SAE system. Never could afford it, but now I am at a point I can and will. With that said I am slowly selecting what I want. As I am chasing down these items I was able to find a mint exterior C102 cassette deck. I bought it knowing that it needed a new primary drive belt and that it had decorative corners instead of the frame rack mounts. Does anybody know of a place that has used or NOS parts for SAE systems?
The other sections I was able to secure are:

A202 very nice condition

P102 NOS.

Next looking for :

T102 tuner

E102 (i think) digital EQ

D102 CD player

MAYBE... :

2600 series amp
Click to expand...

Very nice,
400 watts per channel is quite bit of juice.
Are you sticking with SAE for speakers as well?
 
Oh boy would I!!! Finding a set of SAE speakers might be a real challenge. I've alway had Polks, klipsch or something on those lines. But SAE speakers would be choice!
 
Very geeked about this one. I have been hunting Ebay and found one or two must haves but I think forums are going to be the best way to build this. I am surprised at the lack of web based retail sites to find these items. I mean if I was building a McIntosh, no problem millions of them. But SAE is hard to find good stuff ?!?
 
Looking for the 2600. As for location... get this, I live in Fed-way and own a business in Burlington. Yes, Burlington! 200 miles round trip everyday.....
 
Good luck on your hunt, I would love to find SAE gear from that same series. But I NEVER see any SAE in the wild. Only a few pieces on eBay.
 
Your right and what comes up on the "ebay its Ebeat! I am surprised how elusive the stuff is. I don't want to be uber picky but this should be my last big system. And I really want it right. I don't think the wife would be big on spending the daughters college fund on tunes.
 
The only SAE piece I have is the T102 tuner which I like a lot. I would not mind getting some more down the road. Good luck on you project!

az
 
It took me three years of searching to get me SAE "01" system built:

SAE A301 amp
SAE P101 preamp
SAE E101 EQ unit (the preamp had no tone controls at all)
Bang & Olufsen S75 speakers
AR-3a newly restored speakers
Dual 701 turntable with a Pickering XSV/3000 cartridge
Yamaha CDC-0600 CD player

All was bought off of Epay. Like you, when I first saw my first SAE system in an audio store, I wanted one. Very industrial looking, but couldn't afford it at the time. When I was looking, I wanted pieces that looked mint and everything worked. With patience I got that. Things I have found with my SAE systems:

They are sensitive to cabling. Use better than average cables with them.
I bought a used set of Audioquest (stinger) cables from a friend and the sound was so good that I didn't even need the EQ unit turned on. I tried the Monster cable with the plastic gold plated connectors and the amp hummed like a cap was going out. But with Canare cables, I had no problem.

To get the most out of SAE equipment you'll need the user manuals and the service manuals for each piece of equipment you have. These are readily available from a few websites that offer them for sale.

I have never had a problem with any of my SAE equipment. The components really don't get that hot, either. I was surprised by that.

And finally, there are a few repair shops around that work on SAE equipment.
You can find them on a list in the SAE discussion group:

groups.yahoo.com/group/SAE_Talk/

In fact, James Bongiorno one of the designers of some earlier SAE equipment even hangs out there sometimes.

groups.yahoo.com/group/SAE_Talk/
 
Thanks guys for the support.

DuelRef, lots of good advise. Thanks.

In the very short time I have been on this site I have been lucky enough to have been offered a very nice amp that I assumed was never going to be found. a 2600!!!! yes a 2600!!!! Very honored to be able to get that!
 
Keep it together

While you can mix and match SAE equipment from different series, it's best to stay within a series as SAE built a lot of synergies in its components to work together as a group.

In my case, I decided the "01" series met my needs the best.
 
Well my NOS tuner arrived today. I can't believe I found one but.... it be here! Does anybody know if SAE had a turntable?
 
So I'm lucky enough to own a italian car restoration shop. I only say this because decided to make my own stereo rack, and I have all the elements to do this. I'm thinking of welding up square tubing and counter sinking the equipment with in the frame. Maybe some nice wood side panels (real wood) and maybe some trick cooling fans on a rheostat. Any body have cool pictures of nice racks?...... MEANING stereo racks LOL!!!!!
 
Yeah I scored a cassette deck that is in fair shape. Well, it works great! but I need the rack mount tabs. It did not come with them. I might buy a donor just for the tabs. CD, and digital EQ are next on the hunt. I think the digital CD is going to be the tough one. Jims site has been really good for info. So now that I know that SAE didn't have a turntable but did make cartridges I need to focus on a fair price for big bang turntable. My Queen and Foreigner albums need to sound right! So direct drive or belt?
 
That's a matter of choice and taste. There are people who like idler gear, there are people who prefer belt drive, and then there are people who prefer direct drive. And all will tell you that their preference is best!
What is your budget for a turntable?

Even though I'm a Dual guy, I think a Technics SL-1500 (vintage) with a Pickering XSV/3000 cartridge would sound sweet.

What kind of speakers will you be using?
 
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