Soundcraftsmen A400 input?

ruckus1027

System:

Denon AVR3805
RTA-8t
Velodyne VA79Xii
This amp, should it pass, will be used for 2Ch listenning

I am considering one locally that is fairly decent priced. I tried to look in the archives, but there is very little on Soundcraftsmen, and none on the specific model. I figured I'd start a thread and ask some people to chime in.

I am fairly new to external amplifiers and am shying away from pro amps. I understand pro amps can be used but optimal results are from home amps, at least from what we're using them for. Anyway, I usually use the "fan" as indicator that an amp is a pro type amp. From the pictures, it seems that the A400 has a fan, however, from other sites, people have been using them as home amps. The seller too says it's for home use. Also, it doesn't have the many different input connectors in the back, just the L&R RCA jacks and speaker wire hook ups. Any input and clarification would be awesome. :cheesygrin: Thanks

mhardy6647

Soundcraftsmen straddled the line between pro and a consumer; in the 1970s their parametric equalizers were the sine qua non of equalizers (sort of a back-handed compliment, one might argue!). Their preamp/EQ combinations were also fairly popular (truth be told, I have one lurking somewhere in the basement). Their amps are held in some esteem by some folks; I find them typically brash and grainy... but I haven't heard every single model they ever made.

Do a search over at www.audiokarma.org and you'll find info and some fanboys.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a (completely gratuitous) photo of the innards of the preamp/EQ that's buried in the rubble somewhere downstairs... it was pretty nicely made for its day, I'll say that for it. Note the fiberglass/epoxy PCBs.



Don't ask me the model :-p I think it's a PE2217... but I'd actually have to go and find it to confirm that. I had two of 'em for a while (one a dump find, the other given to me by a local for whom I refoamed a pair of KLH speakers). Traded one of 'em to an AK member for something (ss Sherwood tuner, if memory serves) and just kind of hung on to the other one.

ruckus1027

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Soundcraftsmen straddled the line between pro and a consumer

Great as if I wasn't already torn, whether to buy it or not, haha. Thanks for the info, I did actually lurk around AK for a bit before just starting a thread. For some odd reason, I tend to agree more with the Polkies. I'll think about this some more. There is also a GFA545 locally here for 170. Should I snag that instead?

My hold up on the Adcom is that I've been told by Polkies that most newbies tend to hear the difference in quality at or near 200wpc when it comes to external amps. The Adcom is only 100wpc, however, from what I've read they are quite beefy and should, ideally at least, still be quite an upgrade than just my Denon 3805.

mhardy6647

I'm not much of a fan of high-powered amps in general nor Adcom in particular; I am sure someone else'll chime in.

steveinaz

I owned an A5002 and 2 PM840 Soiundcraftsmen amps in the 80's. The PM840's were bridge using the Soundcraftsmen AB-1 bridging adapter, for use with 901 series VI at the time. I really enjoyed their warm tonal character, and seemingly endless power. They could run 2 ohm loads without batting an eye. (Class H topolgy).

ruckus1027

Just want to update, I ended up buying an Adcom GFA555 mk1. I'm a happy camper!

Cigar Man

I realize this is an old thread here but I am new to your forums and always find Soundcraftsman discussions interesting. I have owned the MA 5002 (amp - 275w @ 8 ohms/385w @ 4 ohms) and SP 4002 (pre-amp - designated a 'signal processor' by Soundcraftsman) for many years. I purchased mine new in like 1980.

I owned/operated an audio store in Vail, Colorado for many years and we had been using the Soundcraftsman equipment to power our demo rack via an Audio Authority switch box. I simply lost track of the number of comments when we would use the Soundcraftsman to power the bigger ADS, JBL, or Klipsh floor standers (it was the 80's ) when comparing even the Carver, Crown, Marantz or Luxman mono blocks of the time. Always noticeable was the huge soundstage and dark background with clear, open, tridimensional soundstage with a lot of energy. Bass performance is astonishing, it is deep and full with incredible bloom and extension, while at the same time being faster and tighter than most solid state units. The lower midrange to deep bass is seamless and lends a satisfying richness to the musical content as a whole. From Paul Chambers' acoustic bass to Peter Gabriel's megabass, wow! I still find listening to Little Feat's Mobile Fidelity 'Waiting for Columbus' LP an almost religious experience (yeah I am still hopelessly a Licorice Pizza format guy - still lost in the 80's I guess :loneranger:). My source of choice is still my Sota Star Sapphire (vacuum) w/Cosmos arm board & SME V tonearm hanging a Blackbird MC. Maybe that helps, but I used a Dual 704 for years with a Satin MC and it was almost as good (maybe my memory lost some tactile strength in the 80's as well... :redface:)

As great as the bass is, the midrange is equally killer. It has a smoothness and richness which is just breathtaking. Gobs of detail, with crisp attack, and long decay notes defining spatial imaging beyond expectation for gear from this era. Only McIntosh gear bests 'em IMHO. The high end is even more extended and lacks the grain and edge of most solid state amps. It is sweeter and more detailed. First time listening sessions with other audiophiles last a very long time. Friends won't go home! I think I paid $700 for the amp at the time, you can still find them on eBay at times for anywhere from $200 to $1200, still a great product at a great price. We are Legion, us Soundcraftsman aficionados. You can still find us on numerous audio forums. If you get a change to get your hands on a unit it is worth the scratch just to see what we are still so animated about. There are a few places that will re-cap them as well, just had mine done a few months ago. Enough said. Thanks for letting me rant....