ultralight
Member
Warm Greetings. Hope this is the right forum to post these questions.
I've done quite a bit of reading on the AU717 online, mostly here on audiokarma, and have some questions I would love to have your insight.
Context: 3 years ago, first time in a stereo store, heard a high end Sonus Faber driven by a stack of McIntosh. It was a stunning experience - never knew reproduced music could move me so deeply. (Been to concerts and every member of my family play at least one instrument so I never thought reproduced music could come close to 'live music' and never paid much attention beyond headphones.) At the same time, not willing to sell my first born to acquire something like the Sonus Faber/McIntosh setup. But yes, it was absolutely amazing experience.
Fast forward 3 years, finally decided to try to put a 2.0 speakers based system together on a budget.
For an integrated amp, someone suggested that bang for the buck on something that is readily available, to consider the Au717 because they are built like a tank, maintainable, and readily available. (Happy to take other suggestions.) I did get to see one vintage unit recently and was thrilled by all the manual dials (solid, smooth), levers and button. Just a whole different level of feel physically than all the stuff I see in Best Buy. There's something very viscerally enjoyable about that piece I played with. It's the same reason why I write with a fountain pen older than I...
Questions regarding the AU717. Apologies for the extended questions but I figure I would just compile them all together and make this thread count...
1. Would it be correct to describe the 717 as having good warmth, but also good articulation with good soundstage depth and width for the $? My speakers is 84.5 db efficient but we do not listen over 70 db. Most the time around 55-65 db. We are listening for quality over sheer quantity. Mostly acoustic, vocals, orchestral. No metal, rock etc.
I realize that there are other models that may be more lush but our speakers have excellent microdynamics to communicate to very fine variations of acoustic instruments so don't want to give up too much of that in chasing a warm sound.
Any other Sansui models I should look at?
2. I would like any unit I end up with to function up to its maximum potential.
Can a mint unrestored AU717 sound as good as a fully restored unit that has all caps replaced?
Or is it a flat out fact that if I want to have a AU717 that will perform up to its maximum potential, all caps have to be replaced due to age?
3. I see that many do not touch the four LARGE capacitors. Is it due to cost or is it because those last a long time and if they are not broken, there's no gain in replacing them?
4. Is there a website that gives a list of all the parts to replace? (This I've not done a serious search on - hope it is OK to ask.)
5. Is there a list of recommended restorers that offers high integrity and value for their work? I see that the pricing for restored units seem to range pretty widely. I am in no rush - rather have something done right than rushed.
6. To fully change the caps and anything else that needs to be restored, scrap glue off etc, how many hours generally for an experienced person? I doubt I'll have time to pursue this myself but figure its worth an ask.
7. If one is going to get a unit fully restored, is there really any advantage to finding a nice minty one vs one that is well worn as most of the parts need to be replaced anyways?
8. Anyone know what frequency the loudness button boost, and does it smear the mids and uppers? Given low volume listening, a bass boost under 100hz is very welcome.
9. These have the spring tab for bare speaker wires. Anyone every modify these for the more modern connectors that can take banana plugs etc?
10. Unrelated to AU717, do vintage tube amps also offer comparitively higher value to some of the better modern tube amps? Bonus question....
Thank you all in advance for any help. It has been an enjoyable read through many of your threads.
Thanks!
UL
I've done quite a bit of reading on the AU717 online, mostly here on audiokarma, and have some questions I would love to have your insight.
Context: 3 years ago, first time in a stereo store, heard a high end Sonus Faber driven by a stack of McIntosh. It was a stunning experience - never knew reproduced music could move me so deeply. (Been to concerts and every member of my family play at least one instrument so I never thought reproduced music could come close to 'live music' and never paid much attention beyond headphones.) At the same time, not willing to sell my first born to acquire something like the Sonus Faber/McIntosh setup. But yes, it was absolutely amazing experience.
Fast forward 3 years, finally decided to try to put a 2.0 speakers based system together on a budget.
For an integrated amp, someone suggested that bang for the buck on something that is readily available, to consider the Au717 because they are built like a tank, maintainable, and readily available. (Happy to take other suggestions.) I did get to see one vintage unit recently and was thrilled by all the manual dials (solid, smooth), levers and button. Just a whole different level of feel physically than all the stuff I see in Best Buy. There's something very viscerally enjoyable about that piece I played with. It's the same reason why I write with a fountain pen older than I...
Questions regarding the AU717. Apologies for the extended questions but I figure I would just compile them all together and make this thread count...
1. Would it be correct to describe the 717 as having good warmth, but also good articulation with good soundstage depth and width for the $? My speakers is 84.5 db efficient but we do not listen over 70 db. Most the time around 55-65 db. We are listening for quality over sheer quantity. Mostly acoustic, vocals, orchestral. No metal, rock etc.
I realize that there are other models that may be more lush but our speakers have excellent microdynamics to communicate to very fine variations of acoustic instruments so don't want to give up too much of that in chasing a warm sound.
Any other Sansui models I should look at?
2. I would like any unit I end up with to function up to its maximum potential.
Can a mint unrestored AU717 sound as good as a fully restored unit that has all caps replaced?
Or is it a flat out fact that if I want to have a AU717 that will perform up to its maximum potential, all caps have to be replaced due to age?
3. I see that many do not touch the four LARGE capacitors. Is it due to cost or is it because those last a long time and if they are not broken, there's no gain in replacing them?
4. Is there a website that gives a list of all the parts to replace? (This I've not done a serious search on - hope it is OK to ask.)
5. Is there a list of recommended restorers that offers high integrity and value for their work? I see that the pricing for restored units seem to range pretty widely. I am in no rush - rather have something done right than rushed.
6. To fully change the caps and anything else that needs to be restored, scrap glue off etc, how many hours generally for an experienced person? I doubt I'll have time to pursue this myself but figure its worth an ask.
7. If one is going to get a unit fully restored, is there really any advantage to finding a nice minty one vs one that is well worn as most of the parts need to be replaced anyways?
8. Anyone know what frequency the loudness button boost, and does it smear the mids and uppers? Given low volume listening, a bass boost under 100hz is very welcome.
9. These have the spring tab for bare speaker wires. Anyone every modify these for the more modern connectors that can take banana plugs etc?
10. Unrelated to AU717, do vintage tube amps also offer comparitively higher value to some of the better modern tube amps? Bonus question....
Thank you all in advance for any help. It has been an enjoyable read through many of your threads.
Thanks!
UL
