Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
How can I tell if a vintage receiver has tube amps
#325827 10/17/10 02:27 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,333
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,333
I'm looking for a receiver for the office and ran across an old Technics SA-505. I've found a reasonable amount of information, but nothing as to whether it is tube or solid state. When looking at some of these older units, how can I tell from the specs?

Scott


Scott

My HT
Re: How can I tell if a vintage receiver has tube amps
a401classic #325836 10/17/10 02:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
Scott, here's a unit for sale out in Calgary, complete with specs. I don't know if it helps, or not....


Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
Re: How can I tell if a vintage receiver has tube amps
Adrian #325837 10/17/10 02:53 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
It's 63 WPC, built in 1980, and not made by McIntosh or one of the other esoteric brands. It's pretty safe to say it's not a tubed receiver.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: How can I tell if a vintage receiver has tube amps
a401classic #325844 10/17/10 03:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
To add to what kcarlile said, it's my experience that mainstream builders of amplifiers sold and distributed in North America like Technics and other Japanese brands were entirely solid state from the 1970s onward.

In specs for a tubed unit, you might read the phrase "output taps for 4 ohms, 8 ohms, 16 ohms" for tube amplifiers that used output transformers, many of which did.

Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: How can I tell if a vintage receiver has tube amps
alan #325872 10/17/10 11:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,333
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,333
Thanks. That's the kind of info I was looking for. I saw the one listed in calgary, but there was also one listed here in New Orleans, which prompted the question.


Scott

My HT

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 402 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4