SAE 2100L Preamp & 2400L Power Amplifier - The Best of the 70s'.

1967 was an important year in so many respects but in audio,this is where things all started. Ted Winchester had the idea to further develop an audio amplifier designed by his friend, Morris Kessler. It was a simple idea to build the world's best audio amplifier. No small task but oh what a challenge. Ted had first met Morris while frequenting a local audio shop, Hi Fi Corner in CA. Morris was designing, building and selling some of his home made amps while working now at Sound Center. After designing his first solid-state amplifier in 1962, Morris and a partner started SAE (Scientific Audio Electronics) in Morris’ apartment in Los Angeles in 1967.

By all accounts, the best amplifier in the world at the time was the Marantz Model 9, a monophonic tube amplifier rated at 70 watts. When Morris’ first commercial product, the 60 watt SAE Mark 2 solid state amplifier was praised by J. Gordon Holt in Stereophile as a legitimate Model 9 rival, SAE sales took off.

SAE continued to innovate introducing the world’s first graphic equalizer, the first digital read-out tuner and the first phonograph pop-and-click filter. As a pioneer in the new world of high-end audio, this ad illustrated SAE’s prowess. At the time, a rack of SAE equipment could cost upwards of $6,000, the same price as a brand new top-of-the-line Caddy, yikes!

So were fans of SAE but its tough to source fully serviced pieces performing 100% but, here at HHA, we seem to always stumble across rare gems. The 2100L preamp and 2400L power amp are such pieces. 

If you're looking at pre-amps, you're looking at three things: performance, flexibility and construction. You're trying to get the most of all three. It's as simple as that.

SAE? Yeah, it's as simple as this: Two-stage phono circuit. By dividing amplification into two stages, the 2100L is able to utilize passive high-frequency equalization. This dramatically reduces high-frequency feedback, by 20dB in fact, as well as the resulting transient intermodulation distortion (TIM). The audible effect is a greater definition of sound, increased clarity. Tape facilities, what, people are back to analog tape? Well, yes, they are. SAE used a proprietary Tape EQ so you can modify the recorded sound to suit your personal tastes by switching parametric or tone control circuits between selected input (phono, tape, aux.) and recorder circuits. The 2100L is really a spectacular piece. Much sought after in this condition... BOOM!

How about a fully serviced 2400L to complete the package...

Specifications

Power output: 200 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz

Total harmonic distortion: 0.05%

Damping factor: 150

Input sensitivity: 1.5V

Signal to noise ratio: 100dB

Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)

Dimensions: 483 x 178 x 292mm

Weight: 21.3kg

Accessories: optional C-2 cabinet

Year: 1978

A brute of an amp capable of driving any tough load. The bass slam alone is enough to drive your HPMs, NS-1000 or 4311s into submission. Make no mistake about it, in 1977 this was the package audio enthusiasts were drooling over, maybe you still are.

Fully serviced and ready to go. Super condition with just the slightest signs of regular use, this set was VERY well cared for. Come have a listen here in Andover!

SAE 2100L Preamp & 2400L Power Amplifier: $1799.00 plus shipping and sales tax when applicable

*Not splitting these up... why would we!

** We also have the matching 2800 Parametric EQ with a couple of broken sliders that we can offer for $200 - works perfectly