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Nikko Audio A division of the Japanese company Nikko Electric Works that specialises in manufacturing electric and communications equipment , company established in December 1948 and the audio division was closed in the early 1990's. Their line of hi-fi was noted for excellent value for money and in particular their electronics (i.e. amps and tuners) were considered extremely impressive on a value basis, however the company never got the hang of the glittery marketing tactics that other Japanese brands used and only gained limited distribution, mostly confined to North America and Australia, the audio division was also know as ASTI Pacific.

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If you consider Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, Kenwood, Marantz, Sony among other mainstream audio makers then Nikko must be considered as well. I have owned many Nikko pieces all were extraordinary. I gave my 1019 receiver to my grandaughter who runs it just about wide open and has done so for the last two years. I thought it might make it a couple months. . . As far as Nikko seperates go in my mind are some of the finest sounding amps you can buy especially for the money. May not be premimum gear but Nikko presents itself very well. . . Spend some time with them and you will see.

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I have a lot of experience with Nikko. IMO Nikko was as good if not BETTER than the major brands. In looks , sound and build the 75-80 Nikko was tops. Just like everybody else I have owned, repaired and even sold high end gear over the years. So stuff the flames. My ears tell me Nikko was excellent.

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When I had to get it repaired after only 22 years of nearly non-stop service, the tech almost sneered. When he got it opened, though, he was duly impressed at the amp design, tuner design and the quality of the parts. He was intrigued enough to suggest modifications, thinking the quality of the piece made it well worth it in terms of long-term enjoyment.

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My sister's boyfriend at the time (late 70's) owned a stereo store in Annapolis, Maryland. He sold Nikko equipment...at least he'd TRY to sell Nikko!? He once told Nikko was a "tough" sell. That Nikko made very good audio gear, but did not have the name recognition of the major "players" of that time period. In order to make a sale, he literally had to drag a customer over to a Nikko, then cajole him/her into listening.....it was the sound, not the name that made the sale! People did not walk into his store and ask to buy Nikko...but they'd walk out with one, IF they heard it! Even then, he never sold them in any significant numbers....a real shame. On the other hand, that lack of name recognition works for US..... we can thank an ignorant buying public for supplying us with with Nikko's...on the CHEAP!!

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They are still WAY under the radar, and are a good value. The Nikko NR 819 sounds every bit as good or better than anything else in it's power class, and I've had ALOT of gear in the 45wpc range. As far as sound quality and tuner performance, it totally blows away the Marantz 2245 and 2250B that I had and is easily on par with my Pioneer SX 780, maybe a little better in the soundstage department.

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For the record again, those that think the auction sites prices are indicative of the quality of an item, are making some faulty assumptions and missing some great gear.

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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 macintosh 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 rms each in a parallel wiring. Two speakers by channel.

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I have a Beta 20 preamp, a Beta 30 Preamp, 2 EQ1's, a Gamma 30 Tuner and an Alpha II amp on the way. Nikko made some very good component systems. They have a warm, natural sound that I find it difficult to reproduce with more modern equipment. The other reason i like Nikko is less tangible; the controls just have a solid, well-made feel to them, not like Some more expensive brands. Very nice, very durable equipment. Great sound, low distortion, decent price.

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Nikko is often overlooked by vintage audio collectors. Not because they didn't make good equipment, but rather, it seems because of poor advertising when sold new. But the fact is, they made some very good quality products. Just ask anyone who has ever owned or heard one. Sound quality is exceptional, with great reliability & quality craftmanship.

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I never thought much about vintage gear but I stumbled on the "Mint" Nikko Alpha VI amp that I just couldn't pass up. It was manufactured in 1980 & is a 300w dual mono design. At the time I picked it up I had a Krell KAV250a amp powering my mains. To be quite honest I wasn't expecting the results that transpired. The Krell is one fine amp, but very analytical & sterile in it's reproduction. It sounded wonderfull to me. When I put the Nikko in it's place for an A/B comparison I couldn't believe my ears. The Nikko brought a whole new dimension to the music. Very warm & laid back yet with plenty of balls when needed. The soundatage was equal to that of the Krell but with a more listenable aura about it. It's hard to describe but the Nikko just sounded more like "Music" to me. If that makes any sense? Still being a skeptic I kept the two amps for about two months & swapped them in & out for a true listening test. I kept going back to the sound of the Nikko. Long story short, I sold the Krell & am enjoying the hell out the Nikko.