I recently posted in the headphone section about the great match between my Sony mdr v6 cans and this amp. I don't know about other owners of this amp, But the headphone section in mine simply put Is top rate.:yes:

1) don't know how the headphone section is wired but the POWER that it puts out is like wearing a pair of speakers on the ears. I use to just like my pioneer SE L40 headphones due to lack of musical presence:tears: But today for the first time I pluged them in and wow did they come alive:music:

2) With the use of the bass/treble controls and the ability to control the contour/shape of each due to the individual turnover switch, I can pump more than enough power to make ANY set of headphones I own produce some musical magic.

3) Never owned an SA 9100 or 7100 and can't do an A/B comparison, But let me tell ya, This (my) 8100 headphone section is no slouch:nono: With power galore & musical clarity, Do yourself a favor, Hook-um up and enjoy a trip back in time when your favorite tunes heard through a great set of cans kept you glued for Hrs. This amp put me there today.

now go to bed and dream about the SA-9100 and how well it drives my SE-700's

now go to bed and dream about the SA-9100 and how well it drives my SE-700's

I can do that:yes::thmbsp:

There isn't a separate headphone amp in this unit. The output signal applied to the speakers is the same signal applied directly to the headphones after being limited only by a pair of 150 ohm resistors.

There isn't a separate headphone amp in this unit. The output signal applied to the speakers is the same signal applied directly to the headphones after being limited only by a pair of 150 ohm resistors.


A perfect example of how a great sounding amp sounds great throughout.

the many times someone has asked the question What is a great sounding amp. The SA-9100 always gets multiple mentions. The SA-8100 being the middle brother in the X100 line would have the same voicing just at a lower power level and a few less features.

Sadly the only SA-8100 I have had was Fucked up by a lying cheat that tried to rip off a number of AK members and ended up being parted out. On the good side that Amp helped restore 6 other SA-9100 and SA-8100 amps when the parts were all distributed. So it was a good thing in the end.

If I came across a good deal on a 8100 I would jump on it. And I have 4 SA-9100's!

There isn't a separate headphone amp in this unit. The output signal applied to the speakers is the same signal applied directly to the headphones after being limited only by a pair of 150 ohm resistors.


I guessed that is what I'm hearing because the power projected through the H/P jack is simular to my speaker projection:yes: Thanks for the info:thmbsp:
fantastic amp indeed:music:

I had an 8100 up until recently. It required some looking at but the problem probably was relatively simple to fix. Thankfully someone mentioned to me it sounded "musical" and I thanked him for the warning. I proceeded to strip down the amp for a few parts and toss the rest out. I have an SA-900 which I haven't listened to and I sure hope IT doesn't sound "musical", otherwise... However, if it sounded like nothing at all I'd be really impressed and it'd be a keeper.

The SA 900 is a pretty neutral sounding amp with lots of clean power:yes:
It sort of reminds me of the SX 727 with a smoother response in the upper frequency and heavy as hell.

Once I cleaned the pots & switches and paired it with New large advents, the sound was nice, Another under the radar amp.

The SA 900 is a pretty neutral sounding amp with lots of clean power:yes:


Ok, thanks for the feedback on the 900. i'll have to give it a listen in a setup. I do like the build quality, esthetics and feature set. If it sounded like anything other than the input signal it would be issued a one way ticket 'round to the back side of the barn...

I love the SA-9100. I have owned three of them in as many years - each time I part with one I find myself looking again! I just cant get enough of it. Right now it's my office amp with some Dynaco A-25's and it sounds marvelous.

Would swapping out those two 150 ohm resistors for boutique audio resistors have any benefit for the headphones? Could be a cheap and fast upgrade!

I'm very happy with the H/P section the way it sounds now & would not change a thing.:no: As to the statement of this amp being musical, I disagree. The frequency response on this amp & the SA 9100 is impressive.( 7-80,000 Hz)

What I hear is accuracy ( Tonal) from top to bottom:music:

If I came across a good deal on a 8100 I would jump on it. And I have 4 SA-9100's!
If mark says he would buy one with all of the equipment he already has, I would say that is a pretty good recommendation.

:yes::yes::yes::music::thmbsp:

If I came across a good deal on a 8100 I would jump on it. And I have 4 SA-9100's!
If mark says he would buy one with all of the equipment he already has, I would say that is a pretty good recommendation.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::music::thmbsp: