SA-Vintage Amps

Welcome to the vintage section.

With almost all SA products ever manufactured still in use today, we receive many inquiries for information on older products,we thought it to be a good idea to place them on a site-category of their own.

Below we've included as many information on the older products.

In a nutshell, SA started manufacturing loudspeaker cabinets in 1977 (the W-bin), following with amplifiers in 1980 (the SA 500); The big "change" came in 1986 with the Blue Box, the first "Ribbon Compact Driver-loaded" product, with more to follow. After that the Champion Series came (1987) as "modular" system (to be transformed into the current "Champ Series"). The Performer system was introduced in 1990 (with PPA 1200 amp).

Basically, all speaker systems before 1986 used JBL components. All cabinets were available in black with or without speakers and in SA blue with speakers only.
After 1986, all speakers were/are Stage Accompany. Especially, by being in production for more than 15 years, the Blue Box has many versions. Therefore it is important to check of what version you would like to have information.


SA 500/900, SA 500B/900B, SA 500C/900C amplifiers
The 500 is the first amplifier of SA. The 500 and 900 (1981) were unofficially called "SA 500A" and "SA 900A". The B-series (1983) is the same as A-series, but has balanced inputs, individual power supplies and ground lift switch.
The C-series (1985) is based on the B-series, with improved "high-speed" design (different transistors), improved on/off switch and handles (front and rear).

The SA 450 (1987) is a single-channel version of the SA 900C, with selectable line-voltage (70V/100V).
The SA 500 and SA 900 series were produced between 1980 and 1990.

SA 400X, SA 400/1 amplifiers
The SA 400 is a convection cooled Class AB amplifier. The 400X has a built-in crossover and the SA 400/1 is meant for 100V installations. They were part of SA's "Grey-line", a budget-conscious speaker/amplifier line.
The SA 400 series was produced between 1991 and 1995.

SA 800/SA 1600 amplifiers
This series was a completely new design amplifier, based on Class G design. It also features DDC, SA's Dynamic Damping Control circuit.
Both SA 800 and SA 1600 started with the fan on the back of the amp. Later, the SA 1600 cooling circuit was re-designed with the fan on the front; Initially with a "closed" fan grill, later with a perforated fan grill.
The SA 800 and SA 1600 were produced between 1990 and 1998.

F 60, X 60A electronic crossovers
The F 60 (1982) is a 6 channel electronic crossover (stereo 3-band) with Butterworth filter design. The filtering is done by "half filters"; The signal passes separate High Pass and Low Pass filters (so 12 filters in total). The F 60 successor, the X 60A (1984) features Bessel filter design, with a re-designed lay-out (improved signal-to-noise ratio, etc.), toroidial transformer,
6 "combined" filters (HP and LP on one board) and "wear-free" conductive plastic potmeters.

SA 3200 Series passive filters
The SA 3200 is a passive frequency dividing filter series, for two-way speaker designs. There was a choice of different filter frequencies, all 12dB/oct.


Stage Accompany amplifiers are unique in their quality in both performance and construction. Their built to last! The PPA 1200, ES 10, ES 20 and ES 40 are all equipped with Dynamic Damping Control (DDC).

DDC comprises special circuitry that measures the voltage on the loudspeaker terminals by means of extra sensor cables. This is compared with the amplifier�s input signal and, if discrepancies are registered, corrections are made. This ensures that the amplifier has an almost infinite damping, resulting in an exceptionally accurate sound reproduction. Especially when long cable runs are used, the DDC circuitry maintains superb sonic quality.

On top of this, the PPA 1200 also features AEC (Auto Energy Control). AEC regulates the output voltages and currents and inaudibly prevents power overloads from damaging the loudspeaker components


   PPA 1200

                                                 Digitally controlled class A/B power amplifier with DDCAEC and ARMoR chassis.

 Output power (RMS/peak):
    2 x 350/350 W in 8 Ohms
    2 x 600/700 W in 4 Ohms
    2 x 900/1400 W in 2 Ohms
    1200/1400 W in 8 Ohms (bridge)
    1800/2800 W in 4 Ohms (bridge)
 Signal/noise ratio > 105dB, 20 Hz. - 20 kHz.
 Channel separation > 90dB at 1kHz., > 80dB at 20kHz.
 THD (300W/8 Ohms) < 0.005% at 1 kHz., <0.01% at 20 kHz.


Efficiency Series ES 10
Class G power amplifier with DDC, EFN and ARMoR chassis.

 Output power (RMS/peak):
    2 x 280/340 W in 8 Ohms
    2 x 400/540 W in 4 Ohms
    2 x 480/740 W in 2 Ohms
 Signal/noise ratio > 110dB
 Channel separation
    > 75dB at 1kHz. (50 W, 8 Ohms)
    > 60dB at 20kHz. (50 W, 8 Ohms)
 THD < 0.01% at 1 kHz. (50W, 8 Ohms)


Efficiency Series ES 20
Class G power amplifier with DDC, EFN and ARMoR chassis.

 Output power (RMS/peak):
    2 x 500/610 W in 8 Ohms
    2 x 770/1000 W in 4 Ohms
    2 x 960/1400 W in 2 Ohms
 Signal/noise ratio > 110dB
 Channel separation
    > 75dB at 1kHz. (100 W, 8 Ohms)
    > 60dB at 20kHz. (100 W, 8 Ohms)
 THD < 0.01% at 1 kHz. (100W, 8 Ohms)


Efficiency Series ES 40
Class G power amplifier with DDC, EFN, ARMoR chassis and ACE.
 

    Output power (RMS/peak):
    2 x 1000/1240 W in 8 Ohms
    2 x 1470/2000 W in 4 Ohms
    2 x 1810/2850 W in 2 Ohms
 Signal/noise ratio > 110dB
 Channel separation
    > 90dB at 1kHz. (100 W, 8 Ohms)
    > 75dB at 20kHz. (100 W, 8 Ohms)


Buying second hand:

If you want to buy a second hand PPA 1200, it’s best to look at a PPA with a serial number higher than 271 (last four digits of the serial number).It has interchangeable crossovers. On the outside the unit is recognizable from the “Input Link” at the back of the amplifier.

PPAs with a serial number less then 272 do not have an “Input Link” and also doesn’t have interchangeable crossovers.

The PPAs (with serial number higher then 271) have got many advantages in contrast to the first series with the lower serial numbers:

- thicker power cord- interchangeable crossovers- 12V relays, instead of 6V relays- improved 5V power supply- no annoying audible 50Hz hum anymore- much better reliability of service- better serviceable


Therefore it is important to check of what version you would like to have information,you can send a message.

Social Media