Hello. I may have a line on one of these refurbished locally. Thoughts on this unit? I have an old Harman/Kardon I really like. I think the old H K's are underrated. Anyway I thought I would give this a look, and post for some info. Thanks -Mark-

If it is working properly, is in decent cosmetic condition, and is under $200, it is a good Integrated Amp to have. I have one and like it very much.


Retro

I'm trying to get a hold of one myself and was outbid last night on an auction. If they are as good as my SA-608 (6800), I will really like it.

After working my way through various models of vintage pioneer's and finally deciding on spec gear, it is the one integrated amp that I still have and won't sell. I really like the sound and it sure sounds like more than the rated 80w/ch. I agree with retro, if you can get it for around $200.00 (or less) it's worth it.

If that refurb job included a thorough re-capping and tune up and it's in good shape cosmetically it might be worth more.

I got one as a secret santa present here. It's a great sounding amp, and one my wife won't touch because she's scared of all the buttons, knobs and toggles. The only problem with the SA-8800 or any other flouroscan gear is that itmultiplies. I started with that and a TX-6800 tuner, and now I also have a RT-707, CT-F850, CT-F950, SA 6800 (for the bedroom) and a TX-9800. My advice, if it's under 200, looks and sounds good, grab it.

I love mine as well and would not part with it. Very nice clean sound, even driving 4 ohms.

Pretty good to very good shape, I just recently cleaned it up and have been running a number of turntables on it, and although I've heard that it's phono section isn't the greatest, I've sure been enamored with it's sound and quality...I'm looking to upgrade to an SA-9900 to max out my new HPM 100s, so if anyone has a line on that, do let me know...Thanks


Andrew

I decided against the 8800. The seller did want $200. Said he would come down from there with the purchase of some other gear. A Yamaha CR 820, and a Sansui Model 8 Receiver. I am not interested in either. I am persuing some old H K Stuff. Sounds great, and is underrated. -Mark-

Just in case folks are hitting this thread lately, the SA-8800 and SA-9800 and siblings all have switch selectable phono loading. That is, they allow variation on capacitive loading and inductive loading. This can be very important for some phono cartridges. These are under rated Integrated Amps and the phono section is quite nice, if up to spec :)

Just in case folks are hitting this thread lately, the SA-8800 and SA-9800 and siblings all have switch selectable phono loading. That is, they allow variation on capacitive loading and inductive loading. This can be very important for some phono cartridges. These are under rated Integrated Amps and the phono section is quite nice, if up to spec :)


Yep has adjustable cartridge loading which you will only find on high dollar phono preamps these days, plus the non-switching amplifier design has super low distortion and sounds excellent, intent was to be close to Class A audio performance without all the Class A idle current heat. $200 seems like a bargain for a nice one, considering SA-9800s go for upwards of $500 and there's not a whole lot of difference other than about a dB difference 20 Watts less output per channel, and the 8800 does not have a MC preamp as the 9800 has.

I got my SA-8800 a few months ago for around $100. She's in great shape except i purchased it without the cover or the feet on the bottom. Seller did a good job packing it, really sweated that one. I have it running with the rest of my fluro gear (SX-D7000, SX-3900, SX-D5000 and the RG-2). Still trying to find a cover. My next goal is the SA-9800. This is a video I shot of the system a few months ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9KaGXiTS6U

It is a great sounding amp and I enjoy it very much.