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Is $85 a bargain or a trap for a Nikko NT-790 tuner? At US$85, this listing is a strong deal, sitting well below the typical used market where the NT-790 alone often commands US$150–US$250 when sold separately from its matching NA-790 amp. Even paired units like the one on Reverb list around US$480 total, implying the tuner alone should fetch closer to US$200–US$250 in decent condition.
The NT-790 is a respected vintage AM/FM tuner from Nikko’s late-1970s “790 series,” known for solid FM capture, clean audio output, and a classic analog front panel that fits well in retro setups. Its main upside here is the price: if the tuner powers up, locks stations cleanly, and has no dead segments on the dial, you’re getting a functional piece of hi-fi history at near-parts cost. Just confirm it tunes FM clearly and that the display lamp works, since age can dim or fail those bulbs.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Nikko Audio emerged from Nikko Electric Industry Co., founded in 1933 in Kanagawa, Japan, initially as a manufacturer of fuses and electrical equipment for the national railroad. Post-World War II, the company expanded into communications technology, entering the hi-fi market in the late 1960s through the influence of an audiophile family member with exceptional hearing. This Japanese heritage fueled a brief but notable run of precision-engineered audio components before the brand shuttered its audio division amid the 1990s market downturn.
The brand focused primarily on amplifiers, producing standout series like the Alpha line of power amps from the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the high-end TRM series, including the 1975 TRM-800 integrated stereo amplifier with its robust 65 watts per channel output, NEC power transistors, and stability down to 4 ohms. Tuners such as the FAM-600 and compact hi-fi gear rounded out their compact-form-factor offerings, emphasizing clean circuit design and no-frills power over expansive categories like speakers, turntables, or modern digital components.
Today, Nikko holds a cherished position among vintage collectors, prized for its build quality and dynamic sound that rivals contemporaries from more prominent Japanese marques. Though limited in distribution during its era, these components endure as attainable high-fidelity treasures, evoking the golden age of Japanese amplification engineering.
See all Nikko listings on RADAR.
