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Vintage SAE A502 Stereo Power Amplifier - 200 Watts Per Channel Amp / 600 MonoFully tested and 100% functional; this A502 offers cool looks, great sound and more than enough power for most home stereo set ups. Cosmetically, it is very good exhibiting some minor wear.SpecificationsPower output: 200 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo), 600 watts into 8Ω (mono)Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHzTotal harmonic distortion: 0.025%Damping factor: 125Input sensitivity: 1VSignal to noise ratio: 110dBSpeaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)Dimensions: 483 x 356 x 133mm
Should you jump on it at US$428, or wait for a cleaner buy? That asking price lands above the US$322 median but still below the US$491 75th percentile, so it reads as a reasonable, slightly firm ask rather than a stretch.
That’s fair territory for a big, respected 200-watt-per-channel classic with real mono capability, and the model’s reputation for serious current delivery and robust build is a big part of the appeal. If it’s truly clean, with stable channels, quiet relays, and no missing bits, it’s a solid enthusiast buy; I’d just want confirmation that it’s been checked over, since age-related service is the real variable on any piece like this.
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.
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