In praise of the Technics SA-DA8

[jackpate]

Came across a shiny Technics SA-DA8 in a thrift shop. I had never heard of it before, but a quick Internet search showed promise so I picked it up for a song. This humble unit has taken over the #1 spot in my home for best sounding two-channel (2.1) setup. Better than my Cambridge Audio CXA61. Better than Pioneer SX-626 and SX-424. Better than my Sony STR-V4. Better than my Yamaha RX-A880. The only thing that comes close is my Sansui 350 (not 350A), but the Sansui is very warm sounding.

I liked the SA-DA8 so much I ordered another one. They don't go for much. I am running a Wiim Pro to it via Analog, and my CD player via optical (the DAC in the Technics may be old, but it's implementation is amazing). The only downside is they run very hot. There is a cooling fan that kicks in at higher volumes which solves for this, but at lower volume, you could bake a potato on it.

Bamboo capacitors! Funky Class H amp! Champagne aluminum! 2001 called, but they can't have their receiver back!

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/technics/sa-da8.shtml

OF NOTE: Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 113dB with VGCA technology engaged

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[Vintage9090]

My brother in law has the SA-DA10 and I am very impressed with it's performance, especially for the $60 he paid for it. He has it pushing B&W Matrix 3 towers and it sounds really good

 

[SVI2004A]

These sets have RSN313H25-P power ics that have mosfet output stage.

 

[plruscoe]

My SA-DA8 usually pleases me! I don't know if my fiber-optical cables are below par, but I find the connection (on the DA8 end) is very glitchy. I am forever jiggling it, blowing compressed air into it, etc. I get L & R channels that work sometimes then out of the blue, one will stop - more jiggling. I suppose I could plug into an unused RCA port, but I hate to admit defeat!
The second half of my comment may even be the reason. My solution to the hot-running is a foam-damped muffin fan (sucking, not blowing) sitting over the vents in the cabinet top. Power is from an old computer power supply, plugged into the aux power socket on the receiver. Turn it on, and the fan comes on. I SUPPOSE I might be sucking air (and dust) into my optical port.