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Buyer’s market, and US$400 for a PA10 preamp looks a bit ambitious rather than a clean bargain. Recent asking prices I could verify show one working PA10 around US$120 on eBay, while a cleaned-up, fully sorted complete SAE Two stack is listed at US$900 total, which puts a lone preamp at more like the lower-middle part of the range than a premium number.
What makes it appealing is the SAE Two gear’s vintage appeal: good build quality, strong phono section reputation, and a look that still draws collectors. If this one is genuinely clean, all-original, and fully functional, it can still be a worthwhile buy for someone chasing the sound and styling. The big buyer concern is age-related service history: with 1970s-era preamps, noisy controls, tired switches, and capacitor drift matter more than cosmetics, so I’d want proof it’s quiet on all inputs and ready to use.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
# SAE (Scientific Audio Electronics)
Scientific Audio Electronics emerged from Los Angeles in 1968 when Morris Kessler partnered with Ted Winchester and Beth Winchester to pursue an ambitious goal: building the world's finest audio amplifier. Kessler had been designing and hand-building amplifiers since the early 1960s, and the partnership formalized his vision into a commercial enterprise. The company operated through the 1980s, establishing itself as a significant player in the golden age of solid-state hi-fi before ceasing operations in 1988.
SAE built its reputation almost exclusively on power amplifiers, introducing the Mark 2—a 60-watt solid-state design that earned comparison to the legendary Marantz Model 9 tube amplifier in Stereophile magazine. Beyond amplifiers, the company pioneered several audio innovations, including the world's first graphic equalizer, the first digital read-out tuner, and the first phonograph pop-and-click filter. These products reflected SAE's engineering-forward philosophy and commitment to advancing high-fidelity technology.
SAE occupies a revered position in vintage hi-fi collecting and audio history. During the 1970s, the company was synonymous with high-end solid-state amplification, competing directly with established names like McIntosh, Marantz, Pioneer, and Sansui. Their equipment commanded premium pricing—a complete SAE rack system retailed for $6,000, equivalent to a top-tier Cadillac. Today, SAE remains a collector's brand, remembered by audiophiles as a legitimate innovator that produced musically open and refined components during hi-fi's most formative era.
See all SAE listings on RADAR.
