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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
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I have never heard one of those Philips integrateds but the looks remind me of the Hegel units.

Quick ebay search shows not many in the USA and a few 240v versions being sold in the UK.

Sounds like a keeper, thank you for sharing!
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mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,050 posts
 
Dont apply to the Sansui power supply... And probably to few others also...Impossible to generalize I think...
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Kosst.

You could be correct on the tough load front but so far I have only tried easy speakers to drive and have been very impressed with what I hear.

One aspect I have liked is the built in mm phono has given a nice warm sound. Sure a dedicated phono stage will dig out some more detail I am sure but for the cost of some of these integrated it is hard to complain.


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