Great looks, undoubtedly !
However, the carefully organized structure of the A-1060 topper or the excellent A-1 or the japanese A-9 obviously isn't present : no copper-plated chassis, no "Shark Fin" heatsinks and no shielding...
Dynamic, though, if a little sharp on the edges. Or, more precisely : somewhat lightweight in the bass and low-mid department.
Odd to see something still so modern (in looks) that sports a 6-position Phono selector and a DISC Direct switch... for LPs.
The "Listening Level Monitor" slider has a LED that lights up when the set level is reached. Less disturbing than rows of constantly flashing LEDs, sure, but, honestly - just as useless ?
Unlike the latter feature, the variable loudness function inaugurated in the 1974 CA-1000 is very useful but naturally bypasses the "main direct" switch which bypasses everything but the balance slider.
Released as A-7 in Japan, the A-960 was quickly replaced by the A-960mkII (A-7a in Japan), gaining a lit muting switch along the way and a cooler black finish (outside Japan).
This quick mkII version was due to patent infringements with Nissho Electronics Corp, its first two licensees (Bob Carver and Benytone, the latter building for the former) and Yamaha. Yamaha was the other licensee but apparently didn't implement the patent according to the agreement : "X-POWER" didn't fit the Nissho papers so out it went.
A thread regarding what to check if your A-960 doesn't work properly : here.