Technics SU-V660 Integrated Amplifier!

Vintage Vibe review of Technics SU-V660

[@therover4428]

I have an SUV-570, which looks identical to the v660, bought in the late 1980s. I've used it most days since then. In the last few months the volume knob has started to give problems. The right channel disappears and I have to knock on it to get it back. I have tried to clean it but it is not easy to access and I have not solved ... what a mess. This amp was a gift for my 14th birthday, maybe not the best, but I love it.

[@1JGP1]

If you've cleaned it and that's still not helping, It's likely a speaker relay. They get dirty & pitted - then the channel drops out. If you are comfortable, open it up and locate the relay(s). Remove the plastic cover (likely black plastic) and give it a clean. If you watch it activate, you'll notice a couple little metal prongs that rock back and forth pending whether the relay is activated or not. The "prong" will (when it closes) touch a little brass "dimple" - so to say. When it's off (and unplugged) you can slide a small piece of paper (preferably) a cut business card between the prong and the dimple. You'll soak the paper first with DeOxit and then slide it back and forth between the two points to attempt to clean them. It should help. However, it's often the case that the problem returns and you may have to just replace the relay all together. Best of luck!

[@enzocarbone]

My amp since 1988. It's in perfect condition and works properly apart the rec selector which suffer a little oxidation in the "aux" position. But it's a Great Amplifier.

[@seaham3d695]

I have one of these downstairs.

[@Yogibaba.multibaba]

I am a proud owner of this amp...

[@1JGP1]

Nice! Enjoy it - great amp!

[@tenmillionvolts]

The VC4 series are my favourite amps. I used to fix amps through the 90s and 2000s and I couldn't hear a lot of difference between them when I put them on the test bench with my CDs. but, I could hear the difference with the VC4 amps for sure. The clarity is awesome. They are the closest thing to an efficient version of a class A amp that I've ever heard. For me, distortion is everything when it comes to amplification. If I want some sort of extra top end of bottom wow factor, I don't look for it in the amp. I'd adjust an equaliser to get that. What the Technics has is clarity that hangs in there as you increase the volume. Most amps that sound great, do so at lower volume levels. Increase the volume, and the THD increases to a point where they are fatiguing to listen to. Whereas I can turn up a VC4 amp to a room pumping level, and still hear small nuances in the sound. A small snare tap in the background is still there, not turning 'muddy' as the amp pumps the bass and mids. That is all this amp has over many others in my opinion, but it's the biggest requirement for me.

[@1JGP1]

Certainly! BTW, I think you'll like my upcoming review on a Technics SE-A100... :) From what I remember, it uses similar construction!

[@larryhazelwood5491]

i have a se-a5mk2 that i bought new in 1988.still going strong.

[@1JGP1]

That's awesome! The Mark II model had a little bit more power than the regular sea5... Is yours the R&B series?

[@ericperry72]

I own a Su-V91, and one channel is not playing. I loved it so now I'm looking for a replacement. What are the holy grail intergrated amps from technics SU-V series?

[@1JGP1]

The SU-V8 & SU-V10 (especially the 10) are very nice older integrated amps...In the newer Technics, I'd say the SU-V900 is a nice amp (dual mono/ x-caps)...They did make some cool (newer) amps like the SU-MA10 as well :)

[@jurimalenko7942]

Good Maschine..Habe auch mehrere Technics, A900s, A800, Su v 660, 470...👍🤘👌

[@technics-n-thuiast8346]

Technics made some great amps. Mostly for Japanese market tho.🤷🏻‍♂️ The last models of that design series, SU-VX800 and SU-VX920 were some of the best SU-V series from Technics. Then they redesigned the lineup in the mid 90’ with the SU-A series of amps and everything went down the hill from that point on🤦🏻‍♂️

[@fxtrader7856]

Can you believe that I have had this amplifier for 30 years and just LAST YEAR I was able to fully appreciate its excellent performance? This is because for 30 years, I listened to this amp with bad speakers that I thought were good. I had two Bose mod 21 audio cabinets and I thought they were good until I made two cabinets with a 12 inch JBL woofer, four 3 inch arrayed mids and two JBL tweeters in parallel, in a cabinet I designed myself using WinISD software. When I heard the result I regretted having wasted this amplifier for three decades....

[@1JGP1]

Great story, thank you for sharing!

[@Ashok_Abdul_Almeida]

Hi I have the same SU-V660 , Technics. When ON my amplifier, Voltage Control, lights YELLOW continuously and Current Drive lights RED continuosly, I have no issue with sound or blasts output . Please suggest

[@DubHead69420]

Hey man, I don't know if you're still in doubt. But it just means (as he said) that your amp is running as it should. I've got the 670, and it's pretty much identical to the 660, and mine also lights red and yellow all the time, when it's in use. ✌️

[@ElementEWFW]

Alright, so I’m not a professional audiophile, i own a technics su-v460 and i do really liked the power and punchy sound of it Hearing dialogues with it was a pleasure, music movies was good fun well all room filled experience And now i hear u’r review and I’m thinking to myself What da hek am I missing? Or if so....what is a better equivalent choice you can recommend instead Thanks 🙏 Regards Matan

[@brianhammer5107]

different ears hear different things - all that matters is if YOU love it!

[@brianhammer5107]

I had one of these circa 1990. It sounded nice. I was disappointed that after about 7 years or so, the volume pot and some of the selector switches went bad. Does anyone remember what the MSRP for these was? List your currency if you post, thanks.

[@1JGP1]

From what I've seen, and remember, about $379 Canadian.

[@caybanaa]

Hi, i have su-v620 and operation light isnt working. Do you have any idea or advice?

[@1JGP1]

Does the amplifier work? I am assuming this is the "servo light", I can't remember if it's above or below the power light.

[@caybanaa]

@@1JGP1 yes, it seems like working. i mean there is power, lights on but no operating. I think it in safety mood. 🙄

[@1JGP1]

Yes you're correct, it's not coming out of protection mode. The unit has detected a fault not allowing the relay to engage, which is a good thing. Unfortunately this becomes a in-depth diagnosis, I would start by looking for obvious things if you have know how. Simple things like a strand of speaker wire from one channel touching the other. Look for blown fuses, and bad solder points where it looks like there's a crack... There's always a chance it may be more complicated like a blown transistor or some bad capacitors. You might need to bring it in to a technician for a proper diagnosis to hunt down the problem rather than trying to guess at it. In a few instances, I started at the protection circuit, testing for bad capacitors and replacing what's needed. Sometimes you get lucky!

[@jasonpomare5639]

I have the SU V660 myself and couldn't agree with you more in the review of this amp about the sound quality , i did though find that a GE 90 digital sound processor makes it sound much better , i enjoy watching your videos though. 👍

[@1JGP1]

Thanks for watching and sharing. I've never listened to the GE-90, essentially, it's an EQ of sorts - correct?

[@jasonpomare5639]

@1JGP1 it's a digital sound processor , with a digital to analogue converter as well as an analogue to digital converter circuitry , it's an equaliser with a DAC .

[@martinrabbordi5025]

Hey! Do this amp plugs in 110v or 220v??

[@1JGP1]

This one did not operate on 220, only 110v. There were European versions though that were 220 compatible.

[@larryhazelwood5491]

what speakers do you have?

[@1JGP1]

They may have been my Allison 1's...

[@mikehelp58]

No hablo inglés,pero en definitiva,recomiendas no comprar el Technics v660?. Algo entendí de que su sonido es plano comparando al Onkyo. Soy dueño de un pre y amplificador Rotel

[@1JGP1]

Yes. The Onkyo Integra of the same era is probably a bit more energetic sounding - certainly a bit better of an amplifier; However, the Technics v660 is usually pretty cheaply found, certainly good for the money and still enjoyable.

[@willdatsun]

i have a 650, bought it new, i find the switches flimsy, the power switch went on it and then the selectors are all crackly ./ intermittent. now it has stopped working entirely, not investigated

[@1JGP1]

It might be worth bringing it in for a service, it seems to have lasted you many years. If not, put it up on eBay I'm sure there's a few people looking for parts!

[@willdatsun]

@@1JGP1 i fixed it, it was dry joins on two power transistors. never seen anything do that before, there was hardly any solder

[@1JGP1]

@@willdatsun, nice work!

[@madmaciek111]

który lepszy 570 vs 660?

[@1JGP1]

Good question! The 660 is older & more powerful. The 570 uses the newer psx capacitors... personally, I think they are probably quite similar in sound.

[@brentb5303]

Needs a bigger volume knob.

[@1JGP1]

lol...Talking about "big knobs", try the Sansui G22000! Don't get me going on those! It sounds silly, yes, but that's pretty much the only tactile interaction you have with an amplifier. I find well designed controls a pleasure on a good amp.

[@eduardovazquez7520]

Tengo uno, un tanque.

[@martinrabbordi5025]

Buenas! Sabes si se conecta a 110 v o 220 v?

[@ThePupil]

I can get one for 50... Not sure if it is a good idea, just to add to my collection. Or to spend the 50 on something else :D

[@1JGP1]

Good price for sure!

[@mioryderoncgnp1589]

Yeah his review is spot in, these are a disappointment 😞, I had a Marantz pm7000 I'd rank it with this amp, lifeless junk!!!

[@1JGP1]

Thanks for the input!

[@kolgrillarn]

Get descent speakers and try again!