Technics SA-5x70 stereo receivers (1977 line, SA-5070 to SA-5770) · c. 1977–1978
Technics SA-5170
$200–350typical eBay ask
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026
TechnicsModel SA-5170 · Receiver
The story
The SA-5170 is the second-smallest of the seven receivers Technics offered in its 1977 SA-5x70 range, which ran from the 15-watt SA-5070 up to the SA-5770. Technics rated it at 25 watts per channel into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 0.5% THD, with about 27 watts available at 1 kHz. It is an AM/FM receiver with a moving-magnet phono input, one tape loop, an aux input, bass and treble controls, loudness, FM muting, a tuning meter and switching for two pairs of speakers. The dial glows a distinctive pale blue when lit. At 16 pounds it is a light, simple unit that ships easily and is quick to service. The SA-5170 suits a bedroom, office or small-room system driving reasonably efficient speakers, or a buyer who wants late-70s silver-face looks without paying for a bigger model. If you need more power from the same family, the SA-5270 (35 watts) and SA-5370 are the next steps up.
Known variants
SA-5170K (brown-finish version of the same receiver)
Before you buy
The pre-purchase checklist
Checklist · 6 checks
- 01Ask for photos of the dial lit up and confirm every lamp works, since dead lamps are the most common cosmetic fault on 1970s receivers.
- 02Check that the protection relay clicks in a few seconds after power-on and that both channels play cleanly at low and moderate volume.
- 03Rotate the volume, balance and tone controls and press every button while listening for crackle or dropouts, which point to oxidised contacts that need cleaning.
- 04Tune across the FM band and confirm the tuning meter moves and stations lock in stereo.
- 05Inspect the wood-grain cabinet and pressboard for water damage or swelling, which is common on budget receivers of this age.
- 06Confirm the faceplate and knobs are original and complete.
Buying guide · from Oct 3, 2026 listings
Which one to buy
Only six complete SA-5170s were listed at capture (eBay's broad results are mostly other models), asking about $138–388 delivered, with most at $200–350. It is a modest 25 W receiver, so don't pay serviced-unit money for an untested one: the $190 'works' unit and the $290 free-shipping 'excellent condition' unit are the sensible choices. Ask for a photo of the dial lit, whether the protection relay clicks in and both channels play, and whether any control crackles. Check the cabinet for water damage or swelling.
- Listed now
- 6
- For parts
- 0
- Typical ask
- $200–$350
- Full range
- $108–$349
Cheapest$138.00est. deliveredView on eBay →About $138 delivered with Best Offer from a 99.7% seller, the lowest price on a complete SA-5170. The title says nothing about condition, so ask whether it powers on and both channels play before offering.
Technics SA-5170 Vintage AM-FM Stereo Receiver Panasonic Japan
Best value$189.89est. deliveredView on eBay →Listed as working, about $190 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller, just under the $200–350 band. The title asks you to read the condition notes, so check what they say and ask for a photo of the dial lit.
Technics SA-5170 Vintage 70's AM FM Stereo Receiver (WORKS READ CONDIT
- Easiest to get working$189.89est. deliveredView on eBay →
The cheapest SA-5170 here with a working claim, so it should need the least work. Read the condition notes the title points to before buying.
Technics SA-5170 Vintage 70's AM FM Stereo Receiver (WORKS READ CONDIT
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot captured · listings may have ended
6 of 6 listedLive on eBay right now
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 3, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ; eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
- Used
- Cheapest
Technics SA-5170 Vintage AM-FM Stereo Receiver Panasonic Japan
$138.00 est. delivered
$108.00 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$108.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
About $138 delivered, the cheapest here, but no condition is stated.
Seller: ivegotstuff13
99.7% positive
- Used
- Best value
- Easiest to get working
Technics SA-5170 Vintage 70's AM FM Stereo Receiver (WORKS READ CONDIT
$189.89 est. delivered
$149.95 + $39.94 shipping
Buy It Now$149.95
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Listed as working, about $190 delivered; read the condition notes the title points to.
Seller: grabrak
100% positive
UsedVintage Technics SA-5170 Receiver In Excellent Condition
$270.00 est. delivered
$245.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$245.00
Our take
'Excellent condition' per the title, about $270 delivered; ask whether it has been tested.
Seller: jimbud60
99.1% positive
UsedVintage Technics SA-5170 AM FM Stereo Receiver Excellent Condition Tes
$289.99 delivered
$289.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$289.99
Our take
Excellent condition, $290 with free shipping from a 100% seller; the title is cut off after 'Tes', so confirm it was tested.
Seller: theworldwidecollectorshaven
100% positive
UsedVintage Technics SA-5170 Stereo Receiver
$359.40 est. delivered
$250.00 + $109.40 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
Offers accepted
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
About $359 delivered, $109 of it shipping, with no condition stated; offer low.
Seller: javieranthonio
100% positive
UsedVintage Technics SA-5170 AM/FM Stereo Receiver, Wood Cabinet, Silver W
$388.00 est. delivered
$349.00 + $39.00 shipping
Buy It Now$349.00
Our take
Wood cabinet, about $388 delivered, the highest here, with no condition stated.
Seller: transformer5
99.7% positive
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 3, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →After you buy
Search supplies on Amazon →Service supplies
Most SA-5170s need their controls and switches cleaned, and many need dial or meter lamps. Contact cleaner is the first thing to buy; leave internal adjustments and recapping to the service manual or a technician.
Step up, step down, or stay in the family
