Underrated or under valued Gear

[bowtie427ss]

Threads like this have a way of at least temporarily driving values back up into the range of the radar, here's my submission:

The HCA and HMA series of preamplifiers and power amplifiers from Hitachi. Way out of proportion in terms of market price vs. performance/sound.:yes:

 

[theophile]

Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp.

Kenwood L-1000M stereo amps

Kenwood L-06M mono amps


All stellar performers.The Kenwoods in particular are incredibly difficult to find information about.

This post will show-up as one of the few mentions during web searches. :thumbsdn:

 

[cbrworm]

Threads like this have a way of at least temporarily driving values back up into the range of the radar, here's my submission:

The HCA and HMA series of preamplifiers and power amplifiers from Hitachi. Way out of proportion in terms of market price vs. performance/sound.:yes:

I have to second this one, although I shouldn't. I keep looking for a second HMA-8500mkII to show up, but they keep selling for too much. So maybe they aren't as underrated as they could be.

 

[RebelKat]

Most underrated has got to be MCS series. Some of their earlier stuff was really built well, and sounded SWEET!
Nikko's alpha-beta-gamma line are real sleepers, too. They can be found on the auction site for CHEAP sometimes.

 

[Dmannnnn]

Sony PS-X6 turntable. For only $50 it almost matches the HK T60 I've been using, and it's fully automatic!

 

[reggaenaut]

so maybe they aren't as underrated as they could be.

:I like that.

 

[Ohifio]

The biggest surprise to me is how nice the Pioneer SA8500II integrated sounds. Driven by my tube preamp into a tape "IN" to allow inclusion of the tone adjustments in the equation is stunningly good. The Sansui 9090 receiver (not 9090DB) was a surprise as well. The preamp in it hiss a little too much though, but overall a nice sounding unit.

 

[superdog]

Early to mid 70s Pilot SS gear.From experience it is on par with most other offerings from the era.

 

[EddyFranner]

The Concept line sold by Pacific Stereo.

 

[herbd2]

HK 730, Akai AA-1200, Project/One Mark 1500, Pioneer SA-8100 to name a few. All reasonably priced and sound very, very good. :yes:

 

[lico]

Most underrated has got to be MCS series. Some of their earlier stuff was really built well, and sounded SWEET!
Nikko's alpha-beta-gamma line are real sleepers, too. They can be found on the auction site for CHEAP sometimes.

Agree about MCS. Like their integrated amps OEM'ed from NEC.

 

[Danimal]

I would say the Onkyo A-7022 with the matching T-4055 tuner is very underrated. I have it playing a lot and everyone who hears it loves it's velvety sound.

 

[bowtie427ss]

I keep looking for a second HMA-8500mkII to show up, but they keep selling for too much. So maybe they aren't as underrated as they could be.

Your patience and persistence will eventually reward you. I recently(couple weeks) coached a fellow AKer thru the purchase of one for 75 via CL. Deals on them are still out there, and as the meta tags for threads discussing them become buried in Google, the temporary surge in prices will settle back down. Although, it might take til spring for that to happen now.

 

[HomeBody]

Realistic, Onkyo..... from the 70's.

:grnbouncePlus Three--

 

[mcp1]

Late 70's Technics and Philips Lab series...

 

[68custom]

onkyo gear /garage sale finds

I think most onkyo gear from late 70s to early 80s has too be some of the most underrated equip,with the exception of that beautiful 503 thru 508 gear of which I lust after. IMO the build quality of most onkyo gear from these years is very good, I suppose most of the onkyo gear is pretty tranparent sounding which to me is a good thing. But most undervalued gear has to be all the great stuff we find at thrifts, SA, garage sales etc. through the years I have picked up mac gear, B&o gear and nikko rack mount gear all at garage sales for cheap. Also advent and technics gear at GW . We may value this gear but prior owners sure did not, so..thanks to previous owners ! we need you to lose interest in your gear.

 

[BostonDave]

Lower wattage Pioneer receivers, Nikko separates, Accusound speakers (Audioshere), Mid 60's Sherwood tube amps/tuners, most Realistic stuff.

 

[donberry]

Toshiba SA-775 receiver. I have used it in my garage in the summer when it is easily 100 degrees, probably more, and I crank it as it is my outdoor system.
I am actually using it now as a temp. preamp on a Pioneer Spec 2.
I probably prefer it sound wise over a Kenwood KR-7600 I have - it is more neutral sounding yet still has a touch of warmth.
Some think it looks cool, I think it is pretty ugly, but it does sound really good for what it is

 

[24HACKER]

Kenwood KA-7002 - smallish but what great sound - I don't hear too much about these -

 

[gklainer]

Nikko

+1 on the Nikko Alpha / Beta / Gamma separates.