Philips FA80

Stereo Integrated Amplifier

This was a real giant-killer at the time it came out (1989 or 1990). It puts out 100 watts/side in AB mode, 20 watts/side in Class A. Very versatile; tons of inputs; built-in phono stage. Built like a tank; nearly 30 pounds! At the time the FA-80 was released, Philips was trying to establish the Philips brand in the US audiophile market. They later abandoned this idea, re-badged the FA-80 as a Marantz PM-80 and raised the price to $799 (I think) which was still a bargain relative to performance. Some hi-fi mag (British, I think) called this amp a "poor man's Krell," and named it "amp of the year."

Specifications

Power output: 100 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

Frequency response: 40Hz to 20kHz

Total harmonic distortion: 0.7%

Input sensitivity: 1mV (mic), 2.5mV (MM), 250mV (line)

Signal to noise ratio: 73dB (MM), 75dB (line)

Output: 250mV (line)

Speaker load impedance: 6Ω (minimum)

Dimensions: 260 x 115 x 254mm