Interesting Find

[LPD]

Scored a JBL SA-640 power amp today. Never seen or heard or em but looks like a solid contender for the collection. I believe it may be 100vac so a step down will be necessary

Anyone here seen one of these?

 

[totem]

I believe it may be 100vac

Wouldn't have thought any JBL gear was made for the Japan market, other than perhaps speakers.

Pictures?

 

[LPD]

lhttp://audio-heritage.jp/JBL/amp/sa640.html

Here is a link for specs.

 

[LPD]

Wouldn't have thought any JBL gear was made for the Japan market, other than perhaps speakers.

Pictures?

Apparently made in 81-82 and quite rare. I listed a page with specs in Japanese. It was made in California and the webpage I linked has some details on the circuit. It's close to 45lbs so no slouch.

 

[Splatter Pak]

I believe it may be 100vac so a step down will be necessary

If you have a variac, you've got it licked.

 

[LPD]

If you have a variac, you've got it licked.

Step down will suffice variance will do just fine too. She's being shipped and in her way today.

 

[Ds2000]

Wow, nice find. Big price tag on it back then too, probably a sleeper.

 

[LPD]

Wow, nice find. Big price tag on it back then too, probably a sleeper.

I'm hoping so but I've never believed cost determined quality. Been burned a few times on this perspective.

 

[Ds2000]

More commenting on the build and insides, it looks like that money went to more than just a pretty face.
It's likely a product of Shin Shirasuna, the same company who handled the Ottala Citation gear at the end of the '70's. After all, both JBL and Harmon were one for a while by then.

 

[LPD]

More commenting on the build and insides, it looks like that money went to more than just a pretty face.
It's likely a product of Shin Shirasuna, the same company who handled the Ottala Citation gear at the end of the '70's. After all, both JBL and Harmon were one for a while by then.

Yeah I waded through a few pages of Japanese reviews etc and it appears to be a winner! A T circuit with three stage darlington?? Beyond my expertise

 

[Ds2000]

I'm interested in your impressions both on its own and compared to the FM Acoustics 600A you have.

 

[totem]

It doesn't look like what I envisioned, I was thinking along the lines of an Altec or Urie type amp.

Looks very interesting although reading Japanese would make things easier.

 

[LPD]

Arrived and after a cleaning and inspection of boards ect. to ensure all was intact I pluggged her in and gave a listen.

Wonderful sounding amp. Amazingly deep bass! Lots of detail and so far appearing to be a keeper. Who knew that JBL could crank out a decent amp.