Soldano SP77 II - Value? Good/Bad?

[IndyWS6]

There is a Soldano SP77 Series II pre-amp for sale locally. It's advertised as being in perfect shape and he says that it has been modded with a bright switch on the Gain channel. The picture doesn't really show much, but the front panel looks clean. He's asking $550.

I've seen these discussed occasionally, but what's the consensus? Good preamp? Is a bright switch mod customary for these? I don't know that I need it, but I am a little curious what it would sound like in front of my Mesa Simul 2:90...

 

[roodboy]

Not familiar with that mod.
Iirc some are made in usa some in japan.
The usa ones are supposed to be better but i dont remember why.
i would hold for an unmolested usa version, should be able to get one for @$450
They sound great.

 

[rupe]

They are merely ok IMO...they sound good but you can do MUCH better for that amount of money IMO. In a shootout that I did with an MP-1 (both being played through a Mesa 2:90), the ADA kicked its ass in every meaningful way, and can be had for far less $$$ these days.

 

[IndyWS6]

They are merely ok IMO...they sound good but you can do MUCH better for that amount of money IMO. In a shootout that I did with an MP-1 (both being played through a Mesa 2:90), the ADA kicked its ass in every meaningful way, and can be had for far less $$$ these days.

That's good enough for me...

Thanks