Expired
RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Is US$800 a fair entry point for this one, or are you paying a little too close to the top of the recent market? With a median at US$750 and a 75th percentile at US$837, this asking price sits just above the middle of the pack and still below the point where it starts to look ambitious. That makes it a solid fair-price listing rather than a bargain, but not a stretch.
The appeal here is the usual SAE strength: a respected vintage piece with real enthusiast credibility, good build, and the kind of sound and usability that keeps these units in demand. At this price, the real upside is if it’s been well cared for, is clean inside and out, and comes ready to use without needing immediate service. If the seller can show stable operation, recent maintenance, or original-owner history, this becomes a more attractive buy.
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.
