Don't think that I agree with adrianbacon2. I've had a Nikko NA 2090 scince 1983. It happily runs a set of Series 2 Bose 601's and a Thorens turntable. I listen to most forms of Rock music (loudly) and the occasional classical piece. Sounds good to me, and it's been reliable. The only gripe that I've had is with the volume control. It got a bit scratchy. I had it replaced a few years ago. The Volume and Loudness are tied together so as the volume goes above 5, the loudness drops off to protect your speakers. Circuit diagrams are available from www.agtannenbaum.com/n_cat.html or www.radioera.com/n-manuals.htm.
It's good for turntables as the phono pre amp can do MC or MM catridges. I'm looking at replaceing it with a HT amp. Probably a HK. Will keep it to run a third or fourth zone.
During my saerch for HT systems, I've listened to Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz and HK. The HK blew me away but I thought my amp was at least an audio match to all of these amps. One bonus. Its descrete amplification so if a channel blows you should be able to replace the blown bits with off the shelf components. |
I have a Nikko NA-70011 DC intergrated amplifier I do not know the wattage but it does have a kick even when loaded to 4 ohms. If any one can give me any info on this please email me on teebow62@aol.com |
Steve, that is great that you are familiar with signal tracing in audio recording. I am also familiar with signal tracing and mixing. In fact, I have run mixing boards with a sound company for 3 years and work in performing arts theatre as an A/V tech and stage tech.
Yes, Nikko are very reliable and I agree with you. It was built to withstand abuse and why wouldn't it be. In fact, it was built during the rock n roll era, HEHE. :) |
The 70's Nikko home audio stuff was pretty decent. Not outstanding, but decent. To expect the "absolute sound" from these pieces would be ludicrous, they were never marketed that way. For what I've seen on ebay (with a few exceptions) the Nikkos are a bargain when you can find them. Sound is so subjective anyway (if so-called audiophiles had any idea how the original signal gets mangled by even the best recording consoles, they would not be so condescending and snobbish). I owned an Alpha/Beta/Gamma stack in the late 70's and I got what I paid for. Very reliable product for the most part. If the price seems right, buy it. Some of the brands I have seen touted on the Internet from this era were highly unreliable. This goes for the "high-end" as well. It always pays to visit your local long-established Audio Store if you have one and ask the techs about what they think of the equipment's reliability. Fisher and Sanyo merged at one point for goodness sake, does that tell you anything? By the way I have over 28 years of audio recording, audio sales, and general hi-fi neurosis to my credit. |
First of all, Nikko is not pro audio and second of all, Nikko is not garbage. A manuafacturer that went out of business dosen't necessarily mean that the production of products is garbage. It can be numerous things but usually would be financial problems. After said that, Nikko amps were built to last and having to own a Nikko myself, it had show me. The components in the amplifier were all stock and original and still sounded as if it were new. This goes to show you that components were built with quality. |
Stay away from Nikko. Low end garbage, trying to compete with real pro audio equipment!!!!! Stick with QSC, CROWN, PEAVEY, CREST, things of that nature. More money, but more reliable. Less likely to break down under heavey use!!! Remember you pay for what you get. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!!! Just remember the store you buy your amp from is in business to make money. Also a name brand company has a reputation to keep up. If they start making garbage, then who will buy it and they will soon be out of business!!!!!!!!!!! If they stop making it don't buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Stay away from Nikko. Low end garbage, trying to compete with real pro audio equipment!!!!! Stick with QSC, CROWN, PEAVEY, CREST, things of that nature. More money, but more reliable. Less likely to break down under heavey use!!! Remember you pay for what you get. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!!!!! Just remember the store you buy your amp from is in business to make money. Also a name brand company has a reputation to keep up. If they start making garbage, then who will buy it and they will soon be out of business!!!!!!!!!!! |
hi?
i bought a nikko alpha 440 a twenty years ago(more or less) and it is still working now!!!
it sounds like a krell or a mac intosh or an australian monitor aswell!!
it s a very good amp, strong, powerful, heavy duty amp..i allways load in under 4 ohms with four 8 ohms loudspeakers of 200watts r;m;s; each in a parallel wiring. two speakers by channel.
it has never been broken sincei bought it. i use it for disco applications of public adress.
but sincea few week? it begins to work less beter.
please be so kind to let me know how to get a technical map of it or a wiring map .
that way i ll be able to repair it by myself.
meanwhile if you know somewere i can get such maps? please let me know them..
borisdumery@hotmail.com
bye |
We need more information about your system and room size. What is it that your looking for as far as seperates or integrated? Thanks |
I use a Nikko 6257 Solid State amplifier. It's been going for 33 years. I built my own speakers using three Keff drivers.
I now whish to replace the amp and speakers. Any suggestions? I wish to better the performance.
Les |
Rar1, I do like the Nikko amp. Its one of the SS that I heard that does sound harsh and edgy. I just don't see anybody using Nikko and if they do, no one has mention the performance, quality, and sound. That is what I was refering. Thanks |
You sounded like you were very pleased with the Nikko in your system listing (pretty high or big fan would be other terms that I would use). I was just not sure if your questions about the Nikko, were because you were thinking about replacing it or you were curious about its heritage. Regards, Rich |
Thanks Rar1. I don't know what you meant by pretty high. I like my Nikko. |
If it helps any, you can contact a.g. tannenbaum (http://www.agtannenbaum.com/catalog.html). They sell a copy of the service manual for the NA-690 for $17. You may also wish to search through the Audio Asylum forums. Opinions on Nikko (Vintage, General, and Amp Asylums) are all over the place (they run hot/cold). Also, I noticed in your system listing, you were pretty high on the Nikko. Has anything occurred to change that opinion(or is it just the general insanity that grips us all)? Regards, Rich |
Sorry, I'm MICASA5@webtv.net. I accidently put my email. |
The Model I have is a Nikko NA-690 Intergrated Amplifier. Thank you. |
Eldragon ... you're right. But ... kindly re-read both of my posts. I stated very clearly the extent of my Nikko experience ... model lines from the 70's and entry level components. Also, Highend64 did not mention any particular Nikko model line, so he may/may not be referring to the Alpha line. If the Alpha line from the 80's is good and worth acquiring, that's fine. But , if we are talking components from the 70's, Marantz components (amongst others) really do outshine Nikko components from that same time period. As an aside, by the 80's, most Marantz components had arguably declined in quality from the Marantz components of the 70's. Regards, Rich |
Rich, first i doubt that you have listened Nikko made in 80's like the Alpha line?! Marantz you mentioned is nice, but for what price? For $150, i doubt you can find smoother sounding amp from that era! |
Unless we are talking TOTL Nikko (which I have no experience with), then in today's entry level market, you will do better with NAD (like the 320BEE), Audiosource (Amp 2), SONY ES, Adcom (not too familiar with recent offerings, but I still own a 545/500II set-up since 1989), Harman Kardon (fan of their 3375 receiver). As for a vintage set-up, I would look to Marantz 22XX series (like 2230 or 2270) or Pioneer SX series. In the entry to mid level arena, I thought that Nikko was OK, but just OK. I own 2 vintage receivers (Marantz #'s 2216B and 2240)and in their niche, they would be hard to beat for all-round FM/AMP performance ... warm, detailed, sweet sound.
Highend64 ... are you looking to set-up a vintage based system? If so, what I found that works best is to focus on what were the best brands from the era and look to acquire an item from those brands. There is a lot of mediocre old equipment out there being touted as vintage collectables. Regards, Rich |
Thanks for the responses. Rar1, so your saying the Nikko is not up to NAD, Adcom, etc. in sound or quality. |
The Nikko amps & receivers that I am familiar with, were entry level, mid-fi solid state components from the 70's that were marketed as bargain components that performed above their price. The Nikkos were heavily pushed by stereo chains, like Tech Hi Fi. As vintage solid state components from the 70's go, I would place the Nikkos below the Marantz 22XX series, Yamaha CT series, Pioneer SX series, and Sherwood 7XXX series. The Nikkos were more on par with offerings from Hitachi, Scott, and Fisher Studio Standard. They were OK components for the price. I am certain that their performance would be easily equaled by similar products today (i.e.: Harman Kardon 3375). Regards, Rich |
I have used Alpha 230, and regretably sold it couple of weeks ago! Very smooth amp, and i cannot believe that any current models would be that much better considering the prices of the new gear. Mating it with nice pre-amp (not familiar with Nikko pre) would probably give you long term satisfaction! |
Yes, I used a Alpha IV(?) for over 20 years. It is the one Nikko product that was really special. 360 watts RMS on the weak channel, and could handle low impedance loads without a problem. The other lower power amps from Nikko just did not sound as good. I picked it over a early Bedini amp but the sound of the two were very similar. The preamps were nothing super special and the tuners were fine but not the last word. I still have the tuner and my brother still uses the amp with his Maggie 3.6R's.
Thanx
Russ |
