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Hello to everyone.

I Hope someone could help me with one doubt.

I was thinking on buying a Pioneer Amplifier SA-710 (130 watts), the only thing stopping me is this, the owner says the he changed the output transistors of one channel for some random one, not an original component.

- [="http://articulo.mercadolibre.compe/MPE-19245041-amplificador-pioneer-sa-710-clasico-vintage-_JM"]Amplificador Pioneer Sa-710 Clásico Vintage - S/. 350,00 en MercadoLibre[/]="http://articulo.mer…"]Amplificador Pioneer Sa-710 Clásico Vintage - S/. 350,00 en MercadoLibre[/]

So comparing that with a Technics Amplifier New Class A (150 watts), that works fine, but has a not-so-great look.

- [[url=http://="http://articulo.mer…"]Amplificador Technics New Class A - S/. 400,00 en MercadoLibre[/]="http://articulo.mer…"]Amplificador Technics New Class A - S/. 400,00 en MercadoLibre[/]

What would you recommend?

The price range are very close, both are about S/.400 Soles which is something around US$ 160.

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Comments

RemyRAD Thu, 04/12/2012 - 16:47

I would say go with the used Pioneer. I have some earlier similar units and found that the Technics front panel controls are rather abysmal. They crap out to easily, get too dirty to easily and are rather imprecise in their operation. Those good old rotary ones work out far better than those nasty little sliders on the Technics. I have a far older Pioneer than my newer Technics which is still working well to this day. The Technics, I stuck in my mother's bedroom for her playback system since she never touches the controls. I've sprayed those controls out on numerous occasions without much results. The Pioneer still works just fine. Of course there is also that factor that the substituted transistors, while they may be electrically similar may not yield an identical sound from one channel to the other? And it may also be an indicator of what's to happen to the other channels original transistors? It's an old used car and it will likely require more maintenance than something of a newer device. It's a tough decision. You have to weigh all that matters...

In another for instance, some of my discrete operational amplifiers in my Neve need a couple of new output transistors. In the US, there are some substitute transistors that come close but are not identical to the transistors only available for this circuit, from Great Britain. I could probably put the American equivalent replacements in without anybody knowing the difference? But I don't like to work that way and I don't necessarily want my Neve stuff that I am selling to be less than what it should be. So I haven't gone that route. You might want to consider that in your purchasing decision?

Sometimes I'll replace a single hamburger with two hot dogs.
Mx. Remy Ann David

anonymous Sat, 04/14/2012 - 02:52

Thank you very much for your thoughts on this subject.

I finally decided on the Pioneer, is the best choice for now. I'm probably getting it on Monday or Tuesday.

I found very helpful the analogy of an old equipment to an old car, it needs more maintenance, there's no way out. Well, later in the future, I'm definitively looking for some high-quality Analog Sound System, for now I think this is good enough to play my records.

Have a good one.

Renato

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