Technics SA-800 -- worth picking up?
- Thread starter titanstats
- Start date
Taketheflame
Super Member
This exact reason is why I've been on a gear buying binge lately, lol (I'm late to this hobby and missed out on the final days of nice gear for cheap). Maybe it's a market bubble and prices will go back down, but it could also go the other way too - then again, I stick to buying things I truly want to keep around and enjoy, so it's not an investing activity for me by any means. Even at today's prices (ePay will always be highest), vintage gear can still be a good value, when you consider how much new gear of real quality can cost.WoW!We've gone crazy. I've always like these Technics receivers. From just $5 at garage sale prices, to $60 in '07, to over $700 in '17. $1200 for one on ebay now.
Nice 12 year perspective.
In any case, I do hope I get a chance to hear one of these monster Technics receivers in person at some point - been curious about them, and they haven't hit Pioneer/Marantz/Sansui prices (yet).
Harvestor
Addicted Member
I had the little SA-400 for years. 10 bucks, never did a thing to it. It laid down on me, and regrettably, I let it go. Sweet little receiver.
This thread spans the ages, doesn't it??
This thread spans the ages, doesn't it??
Roypercy
Super Member
Wow! I hadn't noticed this thread started in 2007. Wonder if he bought the receiver?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
If discrete transistor, go for it. I think it is. The SA 900 and SA 1000 were the highest in the line. Big weakness on these, is the selector switches (they're bad to go intermittent). Usually they sounded great.
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watchdog005
New Member
I laugh when people put these Technics receivers below Pioneer/Marantz/Sansui when the Technics sounds better and it's not even close. I purchased the Technics SA500 back in 1979 because they were the best receivers on the market. The idea that it is inferior is a myth. People who have owned them and lived with them know they are superior and way undervalued in the vintage receiver market.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.
Figured I'd bump this thread since it's kind of funny what folks were paying in '07 vs what folks are paying now. Granted, the higher-end Technics still aren't quite Marantz/Sansui money, but they have climbed significantly.
I picked this up a couple of weeks back from the original owner. Had the original box and paperwork with it as well. Hasn't been used much at all. I went through and cleaned all pots and switches (pain in the rear and often required a 3rd or 4th round) and put cool white LED's in it. So far, it's turning out to be a very nice receiver and I absolutely love the dark metallic gray faceplate.
I had been looking for a SA-800 for some time since I picked up an SA-600 and was thoroughly impressed with it. Lucked out half a year later and found this SA-800A
I picked this up a couple of weeks back from the original owner. Had the original box and paperwork with it as well. Hasn't been used much at all. I went through and cleaned all pots and switches (pain in the rear and often required a 3rd or 4th round) and put cool white LED's in it. So far, it's turning out to be a very nice receiver and I absolutely love the dark metallic gray faceplate.
I had been looking for a SA-800 for some time since I picked up an SA-600 and was thoroughly impressed with it. Lucked out half a year later and found this SA-800A
That SA-800 is completely different from the usual look, and it really is striking. Congrats on that!!!!
SimplerTimes
Super Member
Taketheflame
Super Member
With all the other lights on it being LED (especially the power meters) LED backlights just kind of "fit" with this particular receiver. I tried blue and cool white and I think the cool white ended up looking the best. The dark gray faceplate makes it look very modern though...actually I think the entire SA-x00 line looks very modern for some reason.
That series of Technics also seems to do well with LED's though. Here's my SA-600 in silver with the same style cool whites in it (minus the faux wood sideplates, which I made real wood ones for).
Yeah, I didn't even know the 'A' (dark gray) variant existed before I started trying to track down an SA-800. Had I of known I probably would have been looking a lot sooner.
bgymnastics
Super Member
I just picked one up Looks like it was not used very much and just collect dust on a shelf for many years. Need a good pots cleaning should I have it restored or just cleaned?