Akai AA-5500 (1973–1975)
A solid-state pre-main amplifier from Akai's mid-1970s lineup, built for high output and low distortion, with flexible connectivity.
Overview
The Akai AA-5500 is a stereo pre-main amplifier made in Japan around 1973. Production likely ran to 1975. It puts a full preamplifier and power amplifier in one chassis. Continuous rated power is 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms (45W into 4Ω). Music power is 80W into 8Ω (120W into 4Ω). Frequency response is 20 Hz to 50 kHz (-3dB), and it reaches 45 kHz within 0.8% distortion (IHF). Harmonic distortion is no more than 0.05%. Inputs are two phono (3mV/50kΩ), AUX (150mV/50kΩ), main (775mV/50kΩ), tape monitor via DIN (150mV/30kΩ), and a microphone input (3mV/50kΩ). You can connect up to four tape decks at once. Tone controls give ±10 dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz. The loudness switch is active below -30dB volume. The high and low filters are -7dB at 10 kHz and -12dB at 50 Hz, both 12dB/octave. Signal-to-noise ratio is rated at 65dB (phono) and 80dB (AUX), with residual noise under 0.6 mV.
Design
The AA-5500 uses a SEPP-ITL--ITL-OTL system circuit with direct coupling across all stages, aimed at high output with low distortion. The phono amplifier is an ICZ-stage direct-coupled circuit, which improves signal stability. A built-in power transistor protection circuit lets the pre-main and main amplifier sections be used independently. The parts count is 18 transistors, 10 diodes, 1 SCR, 2 varistors, and 5 ICs. The power supply is a 6-step switching type compatible with 100-240 VAC (50/60 Hz). The unit measures 432 × 143 × 330 mm and weighs 9.9 kg.
Market
The AA-5500 originally sold for ¥57,500 around 1973. Akai positioned it as a high-performance amplifier in its lineup.
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