What 'clean' vintage Amp?

[Olivero]

Years ago I had a NAKAMICHI IA-4S Amp that I loved. A really clean sound that seemed to work with what I listen to at the time. Rock, Indi, Alt, and Classical.

I am looking for something similar. Most likely just going to stream from Tidal into a pair of old floorstanders (not decided what yet).
The same style of music I guess, in my office while working.

Thinking of staying vintage for sentimental reasons as much as preferring the sound.

[Howard-]

Sony ES

e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265146083363

[roscopervis]

I have one of those Sony’s. Effortless, clean power and an excellent phono stage if that kind of thing floats your boat.

[AndyTR]

UniSound (Japan) on eBay always have some interesting vintage amps for sale. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/unisound/m.html?_nkw=&a...

[Olivero]

Howard- said:

Sony ES

e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265146083363

Thanks. Will check it out.

roscopervis said:

I have one of those Sony’s. Effortless, clean power and an excellent phono stage if that kind of thing floats your boat.

Yes, might also use for phono.

[Olivero]

AndyTR said:

UniSound (Japan) on eBay always have some interesting vintage amps for sale. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/unisound/m.html?_nkw=&a...

Think I am going down the rabbit hole here...

[Itsallicanafford]

I have that very Amp in that advert. It’s ready for my ES stack when I get around to getting the wooden sides sorted.
I’m a great fan, lots of power, inputs MM/MC phono stages, solid build. It’s a cracker, if you look further up the range things start to get very pricey real quick.

[BritishBlitz87]

Itsallicanafford said:

I have that very Amp in that advert. It’s ready for my ES stack when I get around to getting the wooden sides sorted.
I’m a great fan, lots of power, inputs MM/MC phono stages, solid build. It’s a cracker, if you look further up the range things start to get very pricey real quick.

Beautiful in the most 80's of ways.

What is the second turntable for?

[Itsallicanafford]

It’s the product of Too much time searching eBay during lockdown! The Sony TT will form part of the Sony stack when I get around to finishing it with some wood sides and a period cabinet. Then I have Just got to try and sneak it downstairs without the wife noticing a 5ft high hifi stack!

[Howard-]

Itsallicanafford said:

I have that very Amp in that advert. It’s ready for my ES stack when I get around to getting the wooden sides sorted.
I’m a great fan, lots of power, inputs MM/MC phono stages, solid build. It’s a cracker, if you look further up the range things start to get very pricey real quick.

I am envious. Great setup.

How are you sorting the wood sides? I would love to get some for my 530ES and X303ES.

[Itsallicanafford]

Hi, plan is to purchase a set from EBay, most likely from Germany as a template and then fabricate my own parts for the various different height components.

Plan is to get to something like this, but without spending ££££ on the absolute best components.



Sorry for the tread derail!

[BritishBlitz87]

Itsallicanafford said:

It’s the product of Too much time searching eBay during lockdown! The Sony TT will form part of the Sony stack when I get around to finishing it with some wood sides and a period cabinet. Then I have Just got to try and sneak it downstairs without the wife noticing a 5ft high hifi stack!

Have you considered getting a different type of needle for it? Some people like to have a cheap conical/elliptical stylus for enjoying more worn out or poorly produced records to mask the defects and have one of the modern types like microline or Shiibata for the best stuff.