Only so many actual manufacturers...plenty of brands.
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Classic Integrated Amplifiers!
- Thread starter MAB
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MAB
Major Contributor
- Thread Starter
- #43
All of those are absolutely gorgeous. I would need to keep them out of sight while listening, their beauty would be distracting!
I am partial to Yamaha, since I am a long-time owner, and listen to my Yamaha integrated amp daily at my workbench. I'm also a Luxman fan, and still occasionally use a PD-444 turntable.
DanielT
Master Contributor
Thank you for taking a look at it. I appreciate that.
I will pick up various things and then also Luxor 7082A at the family's summer cottage in a few weeks. I'll take pictures then. So far, you can find pictures in the thread below. A pre out is mounted on it and I put a rubber sheet between the transformer and the chassis. A somewhat non-stringent thread that covers a few different things, but you can see pictures plus a description from Kjell of how to fix that pre out:
Project sub output
An old amplifier Luxor 7082 A. I connected a high to low level converter on the speaker outputs, to be able to connect an active subwoofer. Connected in parallel, together with the cables to the speakers. The converter: My friend said: why not take the signal directly from the pre amp section...
audiosciencereview.com
Of course the sellers do their best to hype up the value of that Luxor amp (it currently costs around $120 on the used market) and claim that the manufacturer is:
Manufacturer.....................L&G Inc., Japan"...or "Manufactured by Luxman's company L&G in Japan... and so on.
This is what Kjell has to say about Luxor's collaboration with Luxman:
The speakers (Luxor also made speakers) are from that time when Luxor had the agency for Luxman.
I want to remember that this model is from early 80s (82/83/84?), but I could be misremembering.
In any case, they are the same age as your Luxman amplifier and your tuner.
A source I have here in Motala, says that none of Luxor's Asian-made appliances were designed by Luxman.
Some of them were manufactured at the same factory as well manufactured for Luxman.
Luxor also used other suppliers in Asia, among other things Sankyo was hired for a cassette deck.
".... Luxor had the agency for Luxman from the turn of the 70s/80s until a bit into the 80s. Unfortunately, they did not build up a proper retail network for Luxman's products. They should have involved a number of serious hi-fi stores for the sale, but they didn't. Luxman was sold through the stores that sold Luxor and Skantic; i.e. the town's combined radio/TV/appliances /cycle shop. Who expects nice HiFi in such a store? And those who shopped there were definitely not looking to buy good HiFi. They probably didn't even know what Luxman was.
Kjell about Luxor 7082A:
I have it with the Skantic brand.
A look at the wiring diagram on this and a comparison with the Luxman L30 shows similarities. The 7082A looks like a circuit-technically simplified L 30, but where the voltage across the power transistors has been raised to get a higher output power.
Luxman L-30:
Luxman L-30 Solid State Integrated Amplifier Manual | HiFi Engine
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restorer-john
Grand Contributor
The Luxman L3, L4 and L5 (and the L-80/V/81) were produced around the same time and the circuit design is clearly from the same manufacturer/designer. Lux used much the same designs (tweaked a little) from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s.
The front end buffer, tone stage and power stage are virtually identical, as is the way the schematic is drawn and laid out. Interesting for sure.
The front end buffer, tone stage and power stage are virtually identical, as is the way the schematic is drawn and laid out. Interesting for sure.
DanielT
Master Contributor
Thanks for the help and I say the same, that was interesting.
Incidentally, I think that people should buy old HiFi which (maybe?) was produced in the country they live in. Then you keep the old stuff alive and you become part of local HiFi history.
It is certainly possible to find places where it can be used: In the basement, the garage, the bedroom and so on.In the main system, it is probably smart to have modern gadgets instead. If it is then maximum performance that is the thing. Having said that, there is also some really good old stuff, but still.
(combining old and new is also a solution)
DanielT
Master Contributor
mhardy6647
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Sounds like an 80-T, perhaps?
source:
FWIW*, I have an 80-R, which is pretty similar but lacking most of the preamp facilities.
It's a pretty respectable FM tuner (nothing less would be expected from Fisher
).________________
* I seem to be drifting a wee bit off topic, here... me?! Inconceivable!!
restorer-john
Grand Contributor
It does open up a whole opportunity thread for "rebadged" gear...
Not sure I want to go there. Pandora's box...
Not sure I want to go there. Pandora's box...
JeremyFife
Major Contributor
The cake tin! me too ... there's a blast from the past. Very bouncy suspension from what I remember.
I went with an alternative amp though: Creek CAS 4040
Classic for Sweden anyway. Integrated amplifier Luxor 7082A. I have one.
(not mine in the picture, but that model)
View attachment 314515
I have the 7082A due to the fact that the company that made them was located 30 kilometers from where I live. A bit of a hometown feel, sort of. To have it that is.
Luxor 7082 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Manual | HiFi Engine
www.hifiengine.com
Luxor was a company that produced,among other things, sound/audio-related products for the people. ...
Measured pretty darn well, too:
Power output: 70 watts per channel into 4Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 60kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.08%
Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 159mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 90dB (line)
Super nice looking on top.
Not as fancy and/or classic as many in here... *but* I have stayed faithful to the first "high(ish) end" amplifier I bought with my first paycheck as an engineer... It's kept in a clean box (just took it out for this pic) and I have been known to rotate it in for nostalgic (yet very enjoyable) duty. I seem to recall I bought it as a sale item around 1990 when they got in a new model.
Specs here: https://hifi-wiki.com/index.php/Luxman_LV-100
It's kept in a clean box (just took it out for this pic) and I have been known to rotate it in for nostalgic (yet very enjoyable) duty. I seem to recall I bought it as a sale item around 1990 when they got in a new model.Specs here: https://hifi-wiki.com/index.php/Luxman_LV-100
"I'm a fan of classic integrated amplifiers,"I'm a fan of classic integrated amplifiers, so I thought I would start a thread to celebrate these great devices!
The 1970's and '80s seemed to me as the heyday for integrated amplifiers. Several manufacturers had models with flagship performance and features. These features made it down to models lower in the line and were fantastic alternatives to receivers, and often had better performance and more flexible features. The minimum set for an integrated was typically two or three line-level inputs, a phono input, and a tape loop, speaker selection, plus a headphone jack. High end models had more inputs, multiple tape loops, multiple phono inputs with adjustable loading, processor loops, and pre-out and main-in. They are in many ways future proof. One of my favorite manufacturers is Yamaha. I bought a CA-2010 nearly 40 years ago and have listened to it almost every day since. Yamaha has kept to this aesthetic, and many of the new crop of retro-style gear seems to follow suit as well, even as many manufacturers omit some of the nice features that made these pieces great back in the day.
View attachment 313049
View attachment 313048
I've used it in so many configurations: multiple analog and digital tape gear looped, outboard processing like a Yamaha DSP-1 surround field processor and outboard amps, with an external electronic subwoofer crossover. The amp has Class A mode which is inaudible unless you clip the amp, then the Class A mode becomes audible.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were many micro-component systems available. I see micro-components are in fashion again! I have an Aiwa micro-system including an A22 integrated amp. Another piece that has seen daily use in my family. It is cute and has features that modern micro-components often omit. It's not as luxurious or performant as the CA-2010, but it has a good feel with well thought out front panel.
View attachment 313177
It was part of an entire ecosystem of components:
View attachment 313181
Mix and match at your peril!
View attachment 313184
Sometimes manufactures reach a bit too hard. Kyocera had a line of very nice sounding gear. The TOTL A-910 and A-710 integrated amplifiers showcased Kyocera's expertise in ceramics.
View attachment 313214
View attachment 313215
Combined with the performance of their tuner, these units were really good sounding and packed with features. Unfortunately, the desire to implement Kyocera's ceramics expertise in proprietary components made these fragile and nearly unserviceable, with nearly 100% long term reliability. And these suffer from another recently revived craze as reported here: encapsulated components that lead to poor reliability.
There are of course holy-grail types, like the Sansui AU-20000. I always found these desirable!
View attachment 313241
There are so many other manufacturers and models. I would be happy to hear from the community about their experiences with integrated amplifiers, both classic and modern. And some pictures!
Me too, big time, these thing were built to last as long as possible, and after many many years to be still repair-able, instead of fall apart after 5-10 years, and for the most part they looked better as well, much better!
Oh, and they were more versatile too, before the "folks you don't need tone controls anymore, we decided so for you" .I'm a fan of classic integrated amplifiers, so I thought I would start a thread to celebrate these great devices!
The 1970's and '80s seemed to me as the heyday for integrated amplifiers. Several manufacturers had models with flagship performance and features. These features made it down to models lower in the line and were fantastic alternatives to receivers, and often had better performance and more flexible features. The minimum set for an integrated was typically two or three line-level inputs, a phono input, and a tape loop, speaker selection, plus a headphone jack. High end models had more inputs, multiple tape loops, multiple phono inputs with adjustable loading, processor loops, and pre-out and main-in. They are in many ways future proof. One of my favorite manufacturers is Yamaha. I bought a CA-2010 nearly 40 years ago and have listened to it almost every day since. Yamaha has kept to this aesthetic, and many of the new crop of retro-style gear seems to follow suit as well, even as many manufacturers omit some of the nice features that made these pieces great back in the day.
View attachment 313049
View attachment 313048
I've used it in so many configurations: multiple analog and digital tape gear looped, outboard processing like a Yamaha DSP-1 surround field processor and outboard amps, with an external electronic subwoofer crossover. The amp has Class A mode which is inaudible unless you clip the amp, then the Class A mode becomes audible.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were many micro-component systems available. I see micro-components are in fashion again! I have an Aiwa micro-system including an A22 integrated amp. Another piece that has seen daily use in my family. It is cute and has features that modern micro-components often omit. It's not as luxurious or performant as the CA-2010, but it has a good feel with well thought out front panel.
View attachment 313177
It was part of an entire ecosystem of components:
View attachment 313181
Mix and match at your peril!
View attachment 313184
Sometimes manufactures reach a bit too hard. Kyocera had a line of very nice sounding gear. The TOTL A-910 and A-710 integrated amplifiers showcased Kyocera's expertise in ceramics.
View attachment 313214
View attachment 313215
Combined with the performance of their tuner, these units were really good sounding and packed with features. Unfortunately, the desire to implement Kyocera's ceramics expertise in proprietary components made these fragile and nearly unserviceable, with nearly 100% long term reliability. And these suffer from another recently revived craze as reported here: encapsulated components that lead to poor reliability.
There are of course holy-grail types, like the Sansui AU-20000. I always found these desirable!
View attachment 313241
There are so many other manufacturers and models. I would be happy to hear from the community about their experiences with integrated amplifiers, both classic and modern. And some pictures!
Very similar to what they did with mobile phones more recently, by ditching the headphone out or denying us the possibility to expand memory, save for the cheapest models from the popular brands.
Companies single-handedly deciding what's good for us the consumers
Barrelhouse Solly
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I think it looked more like the 500 but it's been a "few" years since I saw it last. <g>
Sounds like an 80-T, perhaps?
View attachment 317699
View attachment 317700
source:
FWIW*, I have an 80-R, which is pretty similar but lacking most of the preamp facilities.
It's a pretty respectable FM tuner (nothing less would be expected from Fisher
________________
* I seem to be drifting a wee bit off topic, here... me?! Inconceivable!!
I’d certainly be interested to know your results. Recapping is on my list. I have 2x pairs of NS-645, my plan is to recap 1pr of crossovers, then swap and compare “ before & after”. I have a UMK-1 mic & REW, so the ASR way is to measure results as well as listen.
+ it was a time that they "dared" to ask 1000$ for a (at that time!) high-tech receiver with multiple inputs, tape loops and several control mechanisms to alter the sound to your liking (If needed), instead of say, 10000$ for a set of interlinks or a mains cable, like some so called "high end" companies do now, it's completely outrageous.I'm a fan of classic integrated amplifiers, so I thought I would start a thread to celebrate these great devices!
The 1970's and '80s seemed to me as the heyday for integrated amplifiers. Several manufacturers had models with flagship performance and features. These features made it down to models lower in the line and were fantastic alternatives to receivers, and often had better performance and more flexible features. The minimum set for an integrated was typically two or three line-level inputs, a phono input, and a tape loop, speaker selection, plus a headphone jack. High end models had more inputs, multiple tape loops, multiple phono inputs with adjustable loading, processor loops, and pre-out and main-in. They are in many ways future proof. One of my favorite manufacturers is Yamaha. I bought a CA-2010 nearly 40 years ago and have listened to it almost every day since. Yamaha has kept to this aesthetic, and many of the new crop of retro-style gear seems to follow suit as well, even as many manufacturers omit some of the nice features that made these pieces great back in the day.
View attachment 313049
View attachment 313048
I've used it in so many configurations: multiple analog and digital tape gear looped, outboard processing like a Yamaha DSP-1 surround field processor and outboard amps, with an external electronic subwoofer crossover. The amp has Class A mode which is inaudible unless you clip the amp, then the Class A mode becomes audible.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were many micro-component systems available. I see micro-components are in fashion again! I have an Aiwa micro-system including an A22 integrated amp. Another piece that has seen daily use in my family. It is cute and has features that modern micro-components often omit. It's not as luxurious or performant as the CA-2010, but it has a good feel with well thought out front panel.
View attachment 313177
It was part of an entire ecosystem of components:
View attachment 313181
Mix and match at your peril!
View attachment 313184
Sometimes manufactures reach a bit too hard. Kyocera had a line of very nice sounding gear. The TOTL A-910 and A-710 integrated amplifiers showcased Kyocera's expertise in ceramics.
View attachment 313214
View attachment 313215
Combined with the performance of their tuner, these units were really good sounding and packed with features. Unfortunately, the desire to implement Kyocera's ceramics expertise in proprietary components made these fragile and nearly unserviceable, with nearly 100% long term reliability. And these suffer from another recently revived craze as reported here: encapsulated components that lead to poor reliability.
There are of course holy-grail types, like the Sansui AU-20000. I always found these desirable!
View attachment 313241
There are so many other manufacturers and models. I would be happy to hear from the community about their experiences with integrated amplifiers, both classic and modern. And some pictures!
Here's a blast from my past. In storage now, because it was too big for what I envisioned in my new, down-scaled, post-divorce living quarters. I also wanted to experiment with a variable sub-output and bookshelf speakers (the E-306v is in storage with the stand mounts it used to drive). Sonically impeccable, I got it in 1998 as an upgrade to the previous I posted.
Second one is a brochure picture. One above is mine, back when for a second I tried to sell it and got disgusted by the lowball offers... :-D
mhardy6647
Grand Contributor
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So... well, yes, true... but sometimes there were "OEM" versions with their own little wrinkles.It does open up a whole opportunity thread for "rebadged" gear...
Not sure I want to go there. Pandora's box...
Of course, I can't think of a single example offhand that's an integrated amplifier
-- oh, but I'll bet I will. I will offer a couple of non-amplifier examples.
Nakamichi made perhaps a zillion (roughly... order of magnitude, you know?) OEM variants of their two-head 500 cassette deck.
Here's a Sonab variant, e.g., Same deck, but with a unique "center channel" mixer added to the preamp/EQ electronics. Sonab may well have done the electronics, of course.
Nakamichi, of course, made many of the early "hifi" cassette decks (at least the transports -- I think), even before the era of the 500. I think, e.g., harman/kardon's early stereo decks (CAD-4 and CAD-5) were Nakamichi-made.
(rando internet photo of a CAD-4)
Similarly, a rugged Wollensak cassette transport found its way into several OEMs, Heathkit and Advent being the better known examples.
EDIT: Here's the Heathkit. source: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Consumer/Heathkit-1974-03.pdf
... and here's the Advent, with its memorable one big VU meter.
To this day (??) I think marantz still sells the TT-15S1 turntable, which is a somewhat tarted-up variant of the erstwhile Clearaudio Emotion deck, with CA "Satisfy" arm & CA (A-T... mostly) cartridge. The "marantz" morph had/has a thicker platter and beefier feet, as well as slightly different aesthetics.
marantz:
(my TT15-S1
)gen-u-ine CA Emotion:
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My Dad owned this little Tandberg beauty:
I got myself this in the early 90s:
We were heavy cassette users. Even when CDs came out, I kept recording them to cassettes making my own playlists, and it was my favorite way to listen most of the time. That shows SQ alone was not my primary driver to switch from vinyl to CD. :-D. It took recordable CDs to usurp the throne of the Teac.
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