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SAE 2800 parametric equaliser Purchased from original owner. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: EFT Cash Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By Kevin Kuskopf 0 Comments AUD $640 Date: October 13, 20241 yr
The SAE 2800 has a real cult following among vintage hi-fi people for its flexible parametric EQ layout and serious build, so a clean example is always worth a look. At A$640, this reads as fair-to-good value for an “excellent” unit, not an outright steal, but still comfortably in the buying zone for a well-kept piece.
What makes it worthwhile is the combination of usefulness and rarity: when it’s healthy, this is a very capable tone-shaping tool that can add real system tuning flexibility without feeling generic. If the listing includes the right cables and accessories, that helps, since older outboard gear can be fussy to source and live with. For this price, I’d mainly want confirmation it’s fully functional, unmodified, and cosmetically as described.
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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