As part of celebrations for JBL‘s 75th anniversary, the audio specialists took the covers off a brand new product, one that pays tribute to vintage amplifiers from the ’60s and ’70s. The JBL SA750 is the company’s newest integrated amplifier, but it comes with retro design that wouldn’t look out of place amongst classic Hi-Fi setups of years gone by.
Putting aside the old school aesthetic, the JBL SA750 also comes with modern functionality—namely, support for Apple Airplay 2 and Google Chromecast. You’re also getting state-of-the-art Class G amplification technology, along with a high-res DAC, a switchable MM/MC phono input, and MQA file decoding.
But JBL says that the high-performance Class G amplifier is the “heart” of the SA750, with power delivery of 120W per channel into 8Ω and 220W into 4Ω. This supposedly provides “incredible detail and accuracy at low levels”:
“This Class G design provides impeccable sound quality and efficiency operating as a Class A amplifier for low-level signals and switching in an additional power supply for large transients and dynamic waveforms.”
Modern streaming capabilities… in a retro package
Hi-Fi systems have developed over the years to offer high fidelity audio (obviously), but with modern, wireless capabilities. Streaming is a big deal now, and JBL has equipped the SA750 with UPnP for playback via WiFi networks, USB playback, and Ethernet support(for better connectivity). Meanwhile, ports include a front-panel 3.5mm aux input, a 3.5mm headphone output, and a single stereo RCA preamp output.
According to Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy & Planning, Harman Luxury Audio:
“The SA750 combines the appeal of retro design with the most current room optimization and streaming technologies in the market. It’s the best of both worlds—past and present—and is already generating considerable excitement among audiophiles and enthusiasts to whom we’ve previewed it.”
All of that won’t come cheap, however. The JBL SA750 is officially priced at USD 3,000 (~RM12,127), and the integrated amp will be available in April 2021. There’s no word on Malaysian availability just yet, but we’ll keep our ear to the ground and update this article if/when we hear any word. Do note that the SA750 is an integrated amplifier, which means that you’ll need to invest more cash into the rest of your system for a complete Hi-Fi setup.
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