9090DB without Dolby

[Tia]

I did a trade for a 9090DB a few weeks ago and was impressed with how it performed with my Cornwalls playing rock/metal music. I ended up trading the 9090DB for a AU11000A because I have had a romance with the AU11000 since I sold one 6 years ago. The AU11000A is great but it is in a different league (not better just different) than the 9090DB. Now that I have my AU11000A I would like to find the 9090DB equivalent (soundwise) without Dolby. Is there such a Sansui out there?

My AU

 

[lbcgav]

The 9090 is without the Dolby board, but is a different amplifier design altogether than the 9090DB. My understanding is that the 9090 is quasi-complementary whereas the 9090DB is truly complementary.

 

[lbcgav]

The above is what I recall cdfixer telling me years ago when I dropped off a couple receivers with him several years ago.

 

[LBPete]

That's exactly right. There is no easy way to bypass the Dolby in a 9090DB and maintain the tape functions.

- Pete

 

[Skywatcher]

The 9090 is without the Dolby board, but is a different amplifier design altogether than the 9090DB. My understanding is that the 9090 is quasi-complementary whereas the 9090DB is truly complementary.

You are exactly right. The DB will sound more like the AU than the plain 9090 (non-DB) will.

 

[Skywatcher]

I did a trade for a 9090DB a few weeks ago and was impressed with how it performed with my Cornwalls playing rock/metal music. I ended up trading the 9090DB for a AU11000A because I have had a romance with the AU11000 since I sold one 6 years ago. The AU11000A is great but it is in a different league (not better just different) than the 9090DB. Now that I have my AU11000A I would like to find the 9090DB equivalent (soundwise) without Dolby. Is there such a Sansui out there?

My AU
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You will want the 9090DB for the sound. It has the full complimentary amp, and better tone controls than the plain 9090. Plus a few other things that puts it a few steps above the 9090. Don't sweat about the Dolby board. Once it is fixed up right, it'll last for decades trouble-free. I own 3 of them.