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Technics SA-800 -- worth picking up?

titanstats

titanstats

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Question for those of you in the know -- is it worth picking up a Technics SA-800? The price is pretty reasonable, but I'm not a hoarder, and Technics stuff has never been at the top of my "must have" list. I've heard plenty of knocks on Technics stuff here on the board, and it makes me wonder if I should bother or not. Would appreciate some feedback on this -- I'm pretty tempted, I know it's the model just below the SA-1000, but it's nothing that I really need to have. :)
 
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I would echo the above. Just don't pay Marantz/Pioneer/Sansui prices for it, and you probably won't be disappointed.
 
I have an SA-700 that is a solid unit. It stacks up very well against my Marantz 2270, understanding that is a bit more powerful than the Marantz. It has a very nice tuner, and a great amplifier section. The pre-amp would be the weakest of the unit, but it has midrange control which I really like.

If it's reasonably priced, I say go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. :thmbsp:
 
I have a SA-700A (dark face version of the 700) and a SA-700, and while these are nice enough receivers, it has long been my contention that my SA-5570 (one generation older and 85 watt/ch vs the 100 w/ch rating of the 700) is actually a better sounding receiver. Just a richer, more substantial sound to my ears. I will go so far as to say that the SA-5560 and SA-5570 are the most overlooked mid-to-higher power receivers out there.

A drawback I see in the SA-700, and probably the SA-800 as well, is the lack of accessibility to some of the main pots, like the balance control (and possibly most of the others, can't remember for sure) if cleaning is required. Truly horrible. Gotta take the darn thing half apart to get your spray nozzle even close.

Still, if the price is right, there is nothing wrong with any of the SA-x00 series. A very handsome, feature-rich line if you ask me. And if you can find one in the dark bronze, that's a bonus in my book!
 
I'd grab it. They don't come up that often, and if you don't like it after awhile, shine it up and sell it.
 
You may want to grab it, especially if it is good condition and under 60 bucks. I've got one and it is pretty powerful. Different overall look for sure. Don't see them pop up much, at least around here. As said, the switches can be a pain cleaning.
 
I have a SA-500 currently in use and a SA-800 in the box in needed of repair with the protection lite coming on.I have always liked the Technics line of receivers,and will not pass them by if I see them in the wild!!! Rob
 
I have a near perfect SA-500, and was impressed with it's build quality.

Internally, everything seems logically laid out. Even the cabinet is constructed well. Haven't been able to critically listen to it though.

If it's the right price...go for it!
 
ybaolywa said:
You may want to grab it, especially if it is good condition and under 60 bucks. I've got one and it is pretty powerful. Different overall look for sure. Don't see them pop up much, at least around here. As said, the switches can be a pain cleaning.
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Apparently the pricing of vintage receivers is vastly different in your neck of the woods. If I could find good condition SA-800's (and like receivers) for less than $60 on a regular basis, I'd be able to afford a lot more speakers. :D
 
MitsuMan said:
Apparently the pricing of vintage receivers is vastly different in your neck of the woods. If I could find good condition SA-800's (and like receivers) for less than $60 on a regular basis, I'd be able to afford a lot more speakers. :D
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:D
Yeah, I guess so. It was selling at a pawn for about $40. Switches were diiirrrtteee:yes:
 
MitsuMan said:
Apparently the pricing of vintage receivers is vastly different in your neck of the woods. If I could find good condition SA-800's (and like receivers) for less than $60 on a regular basis, I'd be able to afford a lot more speakers. :D
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I was just going to echo that. $60??? You lucked out on that one.
 
Well, if I can manage to get by there tomorrow, I'll pick it up as long as the cosmetics are good. I've never owned a largish Technics before, so this is my chance, I guess. It'll cost more than what ybaolywa's been paying, though. :D
 
I agree with the viewpoint to grab the thing with both hands. It is a nice receiver, especially as they tend not to go for the kind of $$$$ that Marantz etc. does. I like my SA 700 a whole lot, especially the tuner section. Looks nice, too. Mine cost me $5 at a yard sale, but then they quite obviously hadn't clue what they were selling, didn't even know if it worked or not. As it turned out there was one dirty switch; did the rest for good measure....
 
titanstats said:
Question for those of you in the know -- is it worth picking up a Technics SA-800? The price is pretty reasonable, but I'm not a hoarder, and Technics stuff has never been at the top of my "must have" list. I've heard plenty of knocks on Technics stuff here on the board, and it makes me wonder if I should bother or not. Would appreciate some feedback on this -- I'm pretty tempted, I know it's the model just below the SA-1000, but it's nothing that I really need to have. :)
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nice units.actually several notches below the sa-1000.the 1000 is 330 wpc .I had the 5760 at 165wpc then theres the 5770 I believe at 185wpc.
 
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titanstats said:
Question for those of you in the know -- is it worth picking up a Technics SA-800? The price is pretty reasonable, but I'm not a hoarder, and Technics stuff has never been at the top of my "must have" list. I've heard plenty of knocks on Technics stuff here on the board, and it makes me wonder if I should bother or not. Would appreciate some feedback on this -- I'm pretty tempted, I know it's the model just below the SA-1000, but it's nothing that I really need to have. :)
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I have the SA800. After cleaning it with deoxit it sounds better then any of the receives of it's time. I don't care if it's Sansui, Marantz or any of them. None of them come close to the refined sweet sound that this line of receivers have. You cannot get this sound quality in 98% of audio gear at any price even today. Great tuner section too. I owned the SA500 back in 1979. The 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000, all great audio. Way undervalued and underrated.
 
watchdog005 said:
I have the SA800. After cleaning it with deoxit it sounds better then any of the receives of it's time. I don't care if it's Sansui, Marantz or any of them. None of them come close to the refined sweet sound that this line of receivers have. You cannot get this sound quality in 98% of audio gear at any price even today. Great tuner section too. I owned the SA500 back in 1979. The 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000, all great audio. Way undervalued and underrated.
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Amen!
 
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