Akai AM-2950 (1979–1981)
The AM-2950 was Akai's top integrated amplifier of the late '70s. It sat above the AM-2850 in the lineup, with nothing above it. It's a DC integrated amp rated at 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms, minimum RMS, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, at no more than 0.06% total harmonic distortion. Akai's own service manual gives the main-in frequency response as DC to 100 kHz (+0, −0.5 dB), a power bandwidth of 10 Hz to 40 kHz at 8 ohms, phono S/N better than 80 dB and AUX better than 100 dB, a damping factor above 50, and channel separation of 50 dB or better at 1 kHz on phono. The preamp section has two phono inputs (Phono 1 switchable 33/47/100 kΩ, Phono 2 at 47 kΩ), plus AUX, tuner, and tape monitor at 150 mV/100 kΩ, with a main-in of 1 V/47 kΩ. The tone controls are four-band, ±10 dB at 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 4 kHz, and 10 kHz, with switchable high and low filters and a two-step audio mute (−15 dB and −30 dB). The manual lists 47 transistors, 31 diodes, and 2 ICs. The chassis measures 440 × 170 × 430 mm and weighs 17.8 kg.
The look comes from the pair of side-mounted VU meters. They're power meters, not the usual front-panel pair. The service manual notes it also applies to a black-panel version, so the same internals shipped behind both silver and black faces. Production is generally given as 1979 to 1981, though some references stop at 1980, and the record is split on the end year. Original pricing is murky. One listing's "approx. $765 or $2900 today" is the only figure that surfaces, and it's ambiguous.
Today it's a rare piece, with European sales reported in the €1,200-1,500 range and a revised silver unit listed at €1,699. The known weak point is the 100 Hz tone circuit. Restoration kits with recap and filter upgrades are available for anyone taking one on. Beyond that, the record is thin. No substantive listening reviews survive, only collector chatter calling it "very rare" and the occasional want-to-buy post hunting an untouched 220V silver unit.
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