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SAE 180 Stereo Parametric EqualizerDescription: For sale is a lately serviced and fully functional SAE 180. All switches have been cleaned and any failing components replaced..Every machine is tested thoroughly and competently for many an hour at our shop after servicing We do the majority of our business at our storefront in Rhode Island. We encourage you to make an appointment and hear the unit for yourself! Give us a ring at (401)-603-6881. Shipped promptly and competently-see our hundreds of positive feedback on our adept shipping methods. We encourage you to make an appointment and come and hear it through our system at the shop in the Rhode Island! You will fall in love with sound of this thing. We can reached at (401)-603-6881 should you have any questions at all. See our feedback as regards shipping-we use only first-rate materials and methods. Included: (
The SAE 180 is a solid vintage parametric EQ from the mid-1970s with respectable specs—90dB S/N ratio, 0.02% THD, and full 20Hz–20kHz response. At USD$300 for a serviced unit, this is reasonable pricing. Used SAE 180s typically fetch USD$250–USD$400 depending on condition and functionality, so you're in fair-market territory, neither a steal nor overpriced. The "pro serviced" claim is a genuine plus for a 50-year-old component, though verify exactly what was done.
Before committing, confirm the parametric controls track smoothly across their full range—the bandwidth and gain pots are the wear points on these older units. Also verify both channels function identically; channel imbalance is common. Ask the seller for proof of the service work performed and whether the unit includes the original manual or schematic. RCA connectors only, so ensure your system can accommodate unbalanced connections without issues.
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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