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Counterpoint SA-5.1 Dual-Channel Tube Preamplifier with Phono
Fully Upgraded by Alta Vista Audio
Unmodified, the Counterpoint SA-5.1 full-function tube pre-amplifier was one of the best, in the days before every component received glowing reviews. This particular SA-5.1 is fully upgraded by the designer, Michael Elliott, to SA-9?jr? status (details below), and has approximately 1.5 years remaining on the warranty.
Cosmetic condition: 8/10
I am a perfectionist. This preamp is very well cared for and is in excellent cosmetic condition. Aesthetically, there are no scratches, dings, or dents. There may be very faint swirl marks from dusting, on the top, none on the face plate. The silk-screen lettering is bright and intact. It is one of the cleaner examples of an SA-5.1 you are likely to see.
Why am I selling?
I have been out of work for more than one year, and am forced to downgrade my system.
Price:
The upgrades alone cost over $3,000. Unmodified SA-5s recently sell in the range of $900 - $1,150 on Audiogon and Ebay. My asking price gets you a SA-5.1 in excellent condition, under warranty, with no wait for modifications. At this price, the preamp itself is essentially ?free?.
Shipping:
Packaged in a large, custom wooden crate, the preamp will be protected but somewhat heavy. Price is dependant upon destination and method (air vs. ground delivery).
Review excerpts:
Arthur Salvatore:
Counterpoint SA-5 (very desirable); These were excellent preamps made in the late 1980?s and early 1990?s. Both have separate power supplies and combine a lot of detail with good low-level retrieval. It has very neutral sound with excellent speed and precision.
Issue 45 of "The Absolute Sound" 'Olden Golden Components - The Creme de la Creme of Classic Equipment'.
"This is a two-piece tube unit, almost the tube "counterpoint" to the Spectral (DMC-10 Gamma to Delta). You hear it all, just not with the Spectral's slight hardness. Harmonically, it's tubes, and - bonus - there's extra extension at the extremes. Styled in the modern mode plus, and nicely constructed.
Power-Supply Upgrades:
Eliminate solid state constant current source for the error amplifier
Power supply caps: Blackgate
Rewired rectifier tube socket for 6BW4 rectifier. 6CA4 can still be used.
Tube sockets: ceramic / gold
Power-supply umbilical cord upgraded with metal jacket and nylon sheath
Line-Stage Upgrades:
Input and output coupling capacitors: Dynamicap
Grid bias, plate load and buildout resistors: Caddock, Vishay, and Mills
- Tube heater supply: FRED diodes and Nichicon KZ power supply bypass caps
- Tube sockets: ceramic / gold
- Volume control: Alps with detents
Phono-Stage Upgrades:
- Configured for low-output moving coil cartridges
- Jensen moving-coil step-up transformers (1:10)
- 100 ohm input impedance (adjustable)
- Load resistors: Vishay
- Grid bias, plate load and buildout resistors: Caddock and Mills
- Tube sockets: ceramic / gold
Miscellaneous Upgrades:
- (2) Ultra-low noise NOS Mitsubishi 6dJ8 vacuum tubes for phono section
- (2) Low-noise NOS Mitsubishi 6dJ8 vacuum tubes for phono section
- Rectifier vacuum tube upgraded to NOS 6BW4
- (1) pair phono inputs upgraded with gold over copper RCA connectors
- (1) pair line-level inputs upgraded with gold over copper RCA connectors
- (1) pair of main outputs upgraded with gold over copper RCA connectors
- Blue LEDs on power supply and main chassis
Included:
- WARRANTY: Approximately 1.5 years remaining on 3 year upgrade warranty
- Owner?s manual
- Custom wooden shipping container
Please reference my feedback on Audiogon. User name is skushino.
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