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SA-9100 or SA-8100?

RobHolt

Active Member
I have a large collection of nice vintage kit which I've collected and serviced over recent years.

My favourite 'trio' to date are the Pioneer SA-9800/TX-9100/CTF-7171.
Pioneer fans will know that the tuner and cassette are from the same era and match perfectly (visually) and that the 9800 is from the late 70s and looks a little different.

I'm toying with the idea of adding an SA-9100/8100 to compete my set but I'm unsure whether to hold out for a minty 9100 at a price premium of go for the 8100 which often sells for a good deal less.
I don't need the few extra facilities on the larger amp and the power rating is fine on the smaller model.

So I'm canvassing the views of the good folk of Audiokarma with knowledge of these models.
Apart from a little extra power, is the 8100 basically going to perform as a 9100?

I rather like the slightly simpler internals of the the smaller amp - always a plus given I expect to be performing some restoration :)

You might be wondering why I'm not 100% content with the 9800.
Well lovely as this amp sounds and looks, I always get the impression that the PSU (recapped) is running on the edge of going nuclear given the furnace of heat coming from this board (known issue of course)......and I instinctively dislike such practices from a good engineering POV.

So all thoughts on the 9100/8100 comparison greatly received ! :)
 
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