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The Golden era of Japanese integrated amps, are we missing out?

Maybe it’s just me but.....
I just threw together an el cheapo system with a Sansui A-2100 integrated at its heart and diminutive Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers.

And I still cannot get over just how good and right it sounds.... All for $240 total shipped!

So this got me thinking about the golden era of Japanese equipment and while tuners , tape decks and turntables appear to have large followings and a large knowledge and fan base, I do not get the same vibe on integrated amps?

Are there devotees of these amps out there?
I very rarely hear anybody talking about them and so many can be picked up for peanuts, I mean $75 shipped in perfect working order and decent cosmetics( and built in mm phono to boot!).
Are they likely to be the next " big thing" or?

Thoughts?
uberwaltz
cscrutinizer
34 posts
 
I'm still enjoying my Kenwood KA-7100 60 wpc integrated, bought new 1978 for $200. Haven't done anything to it. 

Posted a while back asking for typical reasons why one channel went out. It was a bad interconnect ! Silly me, always look for the simple stuff first.
jl35
4,475 posts
 
I had a Yamaha CA-810 that Ezekiel refurbished years ago. Great improvement. 
baranyi's avatar
baranyi
719 posts
 
Dave Cox of Puckerbrush Audio is a great resource for refurbishing vintage gear. He is a former radio engineer and audiophile who has a bricks and mortar used audio store  located in Norway Maine. A great guy also! He has refurbished all sorts of vintage gear.
mhmeyers's avatar
mhmeyers
72 posts
 
I have an Onkyo A-7040 running my office system. Fantastic sound and TWO MM Phono inputs! It is a beast but only rated at 50 WPC. Very high quality build from 1980, right before Onkyo went “sideways”.....
schubert
7,386 posts
 
jl35, No, I worked for the largest Sansui dealer in the world in early 70"s , from the smallest to the largest they were all outstanding .
I sold hundreds of them with NO complaints !And were had every virtually every brand made in Japan .ABSOLUTE best was  small Sony FET integated , best sound I have ever heard .
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