Using vintage audio receivers in 2022. Today in focus: 76’s Saba Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

 

 

In this post, I’ll like to introduce you to an interesting audio receiver (tuner and amplifier) created in 1976. This is about Saba Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo. But, before testing this audio receiver and showing the results, let us walk a bit in the past and speak about SABA Company.

SABA History

According to Wikipedia, SABA is a German electronics company founded in 1923 at Triberg im Schwarzwald. They started producing clocks, then radio receivers. A few years later SABA became a record label. In 1968, SABA sold a major part (85%) of the company to GTE, an American company. After 12 years, the company was entirely purchased by Thomson SA (today Technicolor SA). SABA built the first hi-fi audio set with wireless remote control and introduced a failure diagnosis system. It was a serious competitor to the leading Telefunken and Grundig brands. Today, SABA Company produces refrigerators, TVs, Washing Machines, and more.

Saba, originally from Black Forest, South-West Germany, was historically a renowned major consumer electronics brand known for its televisions and high-quality domestic appliances. Currently, the products are distributed under license in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The brand still expands across Europe and other regions.

About Saba, on mysaba.eu

General considerations on SABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

SABA HiFi-Studio 9100 Stereo K is a HiFi Tuner and at the same time Amplifier, produced in 1976-1977. The device is fully transistorized (using silicon transistors), containing an impressive amount of transistors: 95. It also contains an integrated circuit. Despite the high music output of 2×50 watts (2×30 watts – sinus), the produced heat is therefore quite low.

In brief, the most important properties are the effect of transistors for high-quality radio reception; high overload resistance; mono/stereo switchover using time-division multiplex; manual tuning; rumble and noise filter;short-circuit proof power amplifiers; protection against loudspeaker overload;stabilized power supply with electronic filtering; Quadrosonic outputs and so on.

Technical Specifications of SABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

• Tuning range: FM, MW, LW, SW
• Power output: 30 watts per channel into 4Ω (stereo)
• Dimensions: 660 x 140 x 300mm
• Year: 1976-1977
• Color: black front, walnut housing
• Slogan: Hi-Fi Perfection in Elegant Design.
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.1%
• Frequency Response: 20 – 30.000 Hz
• Radio Receiver:
  • USW (Ultra Short Wave, FM): 87.5 – 105 Mhz
  • SW (Short Wave): 5.9 – 18.5 Mhz
  • MW (Medium Wave, AM): 510 – 1630 kHz
  • LW (Long Wave): 140 – 360 kHZ
• Signal to noise ratio: 66dB (MM), 82dB (line)
• Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω

Personal Considerations on SABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

In recent years, mostly portable radios have been manufactured. These are preferred by most of us because it is easy to listen to our favorite radio stations anywhere, anytime. However, the sound quality of a portable radio receiver (even on our smartphone), and the radio reception quality are quite low.

A stationary radio receiver with good specs is higher in size and weight but is really recommended if you want to enjoy the true sound of a radio station. In addition, with this vintage audio receiver, you’ll be able to receive radio stations from all over the world especially on Short Wave (there are hundreds of radio channels broadcasting on SW). Some other international radio stations are broadcasting on Long Wave which is also available. So you will get access to much more radio stations than on FM. For high-performance radio reception, you will be able to connect external dedicated antennas for every radio frequency band (AM, FM, and LW & SW). Apart from that, a vintage device, which demonstrates extraordinary endurance over time, will beautify your home. You’ll definitely enjoy the unbeatable and true quality of analog sound.

All your guests will be amazed by the sound quality, and won’t understand how it is possible for such an old device to outclass the new generation of radio devices. You’ll discover new sounds that you didn’t hear until now. The beauty of the buttons, the red lights of the VU meters, the green Stereo light, as well as the radio scale light create a special feeling.

Images with SABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

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Interesting features ofSABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo

1. Quadrosonic audio
   You are able to connect secondary stereo speakers, obtaining a four-channel playback, with three-stage level switch available.
2. Touch channel selection
   You can store 7 radio channels, and switch to any of them by gently touch one of the eight available sensors with LED display.
3. Low noise and high quality, with 95 Transistors
   Low-noise and overload-proof circuit on all wave ranges, using field-effect transistors.
4. Automatic Hi-Fi stereo decoder
   There is a switchable VHF silent tuner and VHF automatic tuner. It features high quality hi-fi stereo automatic decoder.
5. No interferences
   It features interference-free stereo reception thanks to the low-pass filter.
6. Crystal and Magnetic pick-up support
   There are two phono inputs available, one for Magnetic Pick-up and another for Crystal Systems with built-in preamplifier. Magnetic Pick-ups are generally more sensitive, while necessitating a higher amplification system. For a better quality it is always recommended to use a Magnetic Pick-up.
7. High operational safety
   Thanks to SABA 24-hour operational tests.
8. Clear sound
   Particularly clear sound, especially while listening speech or songs – with adjustable sound presence filter.
9. Stereo headphone connection
   Headphones could be connected on the front of the housing, while speakers can be switched off by pressing a switch button.
10. Reel-to-reel input
    There is a special input designed for other kinds of devices such as reel-to-reel players or cassette players.
11. Treble and bass control
12. Rumble filter
    It supresses very low frequencies.
13. Scratch filter
    It supresses the scratch noise inherent in vinyl records.

Technically it is the same as SABA HiFi-Studio 8100 Stereo, which was best rated by Stiftung Warentest. In the first year of sale, its price was about 1000 DM (~600 USD). Now you can buy one for around 100 USD.

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SABA Hi-Fi Studio 9100 Stereo Manuals

If you want, you can download and browse the User Manual in German, which I converted to a selectable PDF file. It is the Saba 8100 manual, but it is technically the same. You can download it from here:

Also, if you are searching for the Service Manual, you can download it from here: