Nikko alpha iii 4 ohm
Maybe the vintage look, size and weight (16 kg / 35.2 lbs), will not appeal to everybody but the sound quality is equal to power amplifiers costing 1000 to 1500 euro's, and maybe even more than that. So, my advice is: if you see a Nikko Alpha III power amplifier in good working condition for sale around 100-250 euro's, buy one. But bearing in mind the price I paid this is not really a problem. Of course, than there is the fact that it is an old amplifier so you never know how long it will last. I is just a very good sounding power amplifier. The Nikko III worked beautifully with some DIY speakers that I had, that were much more efficient than the Duntechs. Fully operational as designed.Specs:Power output: 120 watts per channel into 8 (stereo) - can also drive 4 or 16 spakersFrequency response: 10Hz to 100kHzTotal harmonic distortion: 0.03Damping factor: 80Input sensitivity: 1VSignal to noise ratio: 105dBWould. In daily practice however I don't miss anything. So good news, but what are the contra indications for this amplifier? In theory the damping factor (80) should have been higher in my opinion and, depending on the sensitivity of your loudspeakers, de power output of 80 watts could have been 100 watts. Connected via DC output/input, especially the bass is more defined, tight and realistic than with the ‘normal' AC output/input combination. Since the JK acoustics Passive 5-II preamplifier which I use is has an AC and a DC output, it matches perfect with the Alpha III. Special for the Nikko Alpha III is that it has a ‘normal' input (AC) and also a ‘direct' input (DC). A good MOSFET power amplifier like the Alpha III combines the best of both worlds: the musical performance of tube amplifiers and the fast and powerful performance of traditional transistor amplifiers. For me the Nikko Alpha III proofs again that a good MOSFET power output stage is the best choice if you like ‘music' instead of ‘HiFi'. Over the years I have been listening to many different amplifiers. The 3-d soundstage of this 2 channel amplifier is how it should be: breathtaking. If needed the Alpha III can reproduce the sound of a earthquake and make your room shake, but is also can be extremely subtle and refined. The sound is dynamic but never fatiguing. The overall performance can be described as ‘luxuriant' and smooth but the music never disappear under a ‘warm blanket'.
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The sound is clean but not least cold or ‘technical', and neutral but not the least dull.
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It is a truly versatile and ‘all-round' amplifier: rock, jazz, vocals and all sorts of classical music sounds equally good/realistic. It is a highly enjoyable amplifier and it just makes you want to listen to it all day long. The Nikko Alpha III is one of the rarely found amplifiers which, in my opinion, finally reproduces music instead of producing HiFi. Combined with my old JK acoustics Passive 5-II preamplifier, the Nikko Alpha III performs beyond belief. I bought this 2 channel MOSFET DC power amplifier in the spring of 2014 in my favorite vintage and second hand audio shop ‘Studio 107' in The Hague, The Netherlands for only 229 euro's. Nikko Alpha III stereo power amplifier (1978-1982)