Quick, possibly silly question re: Pilot 232

[rotobadger]

What, if anything, is the difference between the Pilot 232 and the Pilot SA 232?

Thanks!

Andy

 

[heyraz]

SA stands for "Stand Alone".
The "Non SA" version has a power socket on the front panel that connects the amp to a tuner/preamp. The tuner/preamp switches the amp on and off.
The "SA" version uses a "shorting plug" in the amplifier's front panel power socket to control the power. With the shorting plug inserted, the SA version is always powered on.

 

[rotobadger]

SA stands for "Stand Alone".
The "Non SA" version has a power socket on the front panel that connects the amp to a tuner/preamp. The tuner/preamp switches the amp on and off.
The "SA" version uses a "shorting plug" in the amplifier's front panel power socket to control the power. With the shorting plug inserted, the SA version is always powered on.

Perfect. Thanks!

 

[gadget73]

I always thought the SA was Stereo Amplifier. My SA-260 has the plug, and it had no power switch. It was designed to be switched using the SP-210 preamp, though I think mine was originally paired with an SP-216 and the amp was simply plugged into one of the switched outlets on the back of that.

 

[heyraz]

I always thought the SA was Stereo Amplifier. My SA-260 has the plug, and it had no power switch. It was designed to be switched using the SP-210 preamp, though I think mine was originally paired with an SP-216 and the amp was simply plugged into one of the switched outlets on the back of that.

Could be. In fact the more I think about it you're probably right.
My Pilot 232 amplifier simply says "Stereo Plus" but the power socket says "for (Stereo Preamp?) SP-210".
It has the shorting plug but nowhere on the amp do I recall seeing SA-232

 

[dcgillespie]

My SA-260 had the preamp plug with the green shorting dummy plug, and no AC power switch. Come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever seen any SA-260 with a power switch -- green dummy plug, or not.

Dave

 

[kirk57]

I always thought the SA was Stereo Amplifier. My SA-260 has the plug, and it had no power switch.

Same here!

 

[gadget73]

I replaced an aux outlet with a power switch that fit right into that spot without modification. Its on the back, so not the most ideal setup but it was minimally invasive and easily reversed if needed.

 

[heyraz]

I replaced an aux outlet with a power switch that fit right into that spot without modification. Its on the back, so not the most ideal setup but it was minimally invasive and easily reversed if needed.

I've been thinking about doing that with my SA-232 (if I ever decide to work on it) but don't think it's a good idea to bring the power so close to the inputs:

Probably can't be any worse than having the inputs right next to the main's transformer.

 

[kirk57]

For my SA-260 I used this inline switch, as was done with the Dynaco ST35. This one is rated @ 10 amps and has a pilot light. Very robust connections:

 

[gadget73]

Ah, yeah the SA-260 has the inputs a little further away. To be fair though, the existing power socket isn't any closer than the switch would be, so it wouldn't really change anything. Put it in the further-away spot and add a box around it maybe.

 

[Dswankey]

I thought I would join in, and with pics, to point out some physical differences.

From the interwebz here's a 232 (note arrows & ovals)






Here's an SA-232

 

[Dswankey]

Some info here

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pilot_stereo_plus_2_channel_amplifier_sa_232.html

https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pilot_c_1070_ch_sp_210_sa_232.html

 

[heyraz]

I was working on a full rebuild of a Pilot "232 Stereo Plus" but lost interest after I came across a Fisher SA100.

The Pilot still sits disassembled and I wonder if it's worth the time and effort to complete now that I have a SA100.

I'm wondering if anyone has compared a Pilot SA232 against a Fisher SA100?

 

[rotobadger]

I was working on a full rebuild of a Pilot "232 Stereo Plus" but lost interest after I came across a Fisher SA100.

The Pilot still sits disassembled and I wonder if it's worth the time and effort to complete now that I have a SA100.

I'm wondering if anyone has compared a Pilot SA232 against a Fisher SA100?

Wondering the exact same thing. I have a Pilot 240 but have heard that that’s simply the integrated version of the 232 and 210 pre.

 

[dcgillespie]

Not by any means. The OPTs on the 240 are about half the size of those on the 232.

Dave

 

[heyraz]

I'm wondering about SA100 vs SA232.

 

[rotobadger]

Not by any means. The OPTs on the 240 are about half the size of those on the 232.

Dave

Other than actual output power, would that affect the sound/quality/tonal signature of the amp? I'm really interested in a 232 and sp210 combo but don't want to, in essence, buy another version of my 240. Or will I get an entirely different experience with the 232.

I'm seriously considering moving on from my Fisher SA300B and the Pilot is a replacement candidate.

 

[Dswankey]

I'm wondering if anyone has compared a Pilot SA232 against a Fisher SA100?

I'm wondering about SA100 vs SA232.

Might make for an interesting new thread all it's own.

 

[gadget73]

generally speaking the bigger the iron, the better the LF response. Doesn't have all that much to do with wattage but it definitely has something to do with power bandwidth.

The Fisher probably has the better phase inverter design and I wouldn't be too surprised if the measurements come out better but the Pilot isn't a piece of junk either. Its kind of hard to make a truly bad EL84 amp. Rebuild both, judge for yourself. Sell whichever one doesn't come out on top.