SABA Sigma Series 450 (1981)

 

According to the 1982 advertisement published by Saba: Anyone who doesn't accept compromises will take the SABA HiFi Sigma 450 Series very seriously, because it brings them the utmost in enjoyment. The integrated amplifier (MI 450) of this system, for example, has a distortion factor of an incredible 0.003%. It's therefore not noticeable at all. The quartz synthesizer tuner (MT 450) demonstrates outstanding selectivity. No neighboring station, no matter how powerful, will interfere unintentionally. The cassette deck (CD 450) delivers absolute precision. And the record player (PSP 450), of course, belongs to a whole new generation. With a tangential tonearm for the greatest possible tracking and sound fidelity. All in all, a quartet that is among the best in the world. 

Today we know that the cassette deck of this system was actually based on the JVC DD-5 with some added functions. The CD 450 (Cassette Deck) features a Quartz Direct Drive motor, motorized recording level control, SA (Sen-Alloy) rec/pb head, and a fabulous fluorescent VU meter and digital counter for top level recordings and playback. While Saba was an old and prestigious German manufacturer by the 80s things have changed. There is no mention of country origin which leads me to believe (judging by the link to JVC and the typical Japanese back panel look) that these were actually "Made in Japan to Saba specifications" (original photo by M. Rieker)

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