STATUS - AVAILABLE
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Description :
The Counterpoint SA-5000 was introduced in 1990 and was the most expensive of the "thousand-series" preamplifiers. It features hybrid video buffer/tube phono stage and line stage. It can accept MM or MC cartridges; as manufactured, MC stepup stage is solid-state. The circuit board in the Counterpoint SA-5000 employs a floating subchassis for mechanical isolation. The unit has two 6DJ8 tubes in the phono stage and dual 6DJ8s in the line stage. As with all Counterpoint preamplifiers, there are two gain stages in the phono section with passive RIAA equalization. The line stage is a single stage and there is no loop feedback. All tube stages are followed with solid-state video buffers, two per channel in the phono stage and one per channel in the line stage. The phono stage can be configured as a JFET/tube cascode for MC cartridges, or a simple tube stage for MM cartridges. Vacuum-tube power supply voltage regulator uses tw0 6DJ8/6922 type tubes and one 12AX7 for regulation and one 6CA4 for rectification (located in external power supply). The inputs include five line-level inputs plus tape in, and outputs include dual pairs of tape outs and main outs. Other functions include MM Loading, Tape Send Disable, Main Output Select, Gain Trimmers, Polarity Invert, Output Level, Mono, Volume, Mute and Power controls.

The Counterpoint SA-5000 preamplifier has such powerful dynamics that it can smoothly transit between passages of very different tones of the music effortlessly. It is also very silent in little spaces between the notes where it counts. The Counterpoint SA-5000 creates such a realistic soundstage that it seems completely "divorced" from the speakers. The imaging is breathtaking, and turns the room into a stage where all the performers are in the same room. Each of them are in their own individual spaces. The Counterpoint SA-5000 is not of the super-etched type. It is just very natural, much like a real concert. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the music.

Specifications :
Dimensions(w x d x h)......................Main unit: 48.5 x 35 x 13 cm
                                ......................Power supply: 15 x 35.5 x 13 cm
Weight...........................................13kg

Miscellaneous :
Made In...........................................USA
Condition.........................................7/10

Product Information :
http://www.altavistaaudio.com/SA-5000.html (Upgrades)
http://www.stereophile.com/news/10202/ (Company background)
http://www.altavistaaudio.com/Product_Guide.html#SA5000

Reviews :
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/preamplifiers/counterpoint/sa-5000/prd_118204_1591crx.aspx