DAC or better amp?

[lukslp22]

Hi guys, I have a Sansui au 417 fully restored with a Tannoy mercury v1i connected to pc with a Asus xonar DX (cirrus logic cs4398). Now my trouble is... I can buy a cambridge dacmagic 100 or probably with lucky a Arcam rdac or change my amplifier for a Sansui AU alpha 607 Extra. I like the detailed sound and the midrange quality. Which is the best way for me? Thanks!

 

[Gibsonian]

DAC's are easy to grab up. A plenty and no lack of variety. An Alpha 607 is rare. I'd prolly go Alpha now and DAC later. Will the Alpha need a recap or has been done since new? And Sansui's do sound differently andit sounds you have already discovered.

 

[eyekon218]

if you haven't had the chance you may want to consider checking out a yamaha a-s801 integrated. i have been very pleased with the one i purchased. the dac built into it is top notch and is accessible via coax, optical, and usb inputs.

 

[lukslp22]

Thanks for replys, I have forgotten i live in argentina, and the market is practically empty and expensive Others dacthey are much more expensive, and the cambridge magic is second hand and the guy need the money, in the other place the AU-607 is original and not so old. Sorry for all

Nice yamaha!!!, but I need to ask for it and this become expensive for the "****ing" taxes here, yeah here sucks :S

 

[pete_mac]

Amp first... The alpha sound is far more sophisticated than the x17 series. Go for it - I did, and I haven't regretted it for a second.

 

[lukslp22]

Well I have the amp, after 4 days to listen... the result is not so good for me, the alpha reproduces better the details and is more accurate, but the vocals sound mudded and very flat compared with my previous 417 restored, sometimes is very bright the sound and runs too cold for me, and yeah I buy a 100v 500w power transformer.

I Changes cables, play with the tone, loudness on or off, power amp direct, integrated, source direct... etc... I can´t find the way

All setup is exactly the same before, my friend have a similar opinion. With the 417 is more warm, the vocals are awesome, inviting and good level in detail... without loudness and tone

 

[lukslp22]

This is it...

 

[Gibsonian]

You kept your 417 right?

Based on your original post you had listened to the Alpha amp and liked the midrange better, so what changed? Finding out what you like for a little bit is not what you want to live with?

 

[lukslp22]

You kept your 417 right?

Based on your original post you had listened to the Alpha amp and liked the midrange better, so what changed? Finding out what you like for a little bit is not what you want to live with?

Nooo that the big problem, I change the 417 and more money for this. This 607 sounds with more details, but sound like 2D, the 417 have a much better presentation or 3d image... I am a noob but me and friend have a same opinion...

 

[lukslp22]

I am listen with a Sennheisser HD202 and sounds INSANE! in the speakers the problem is the voice, mudded... in headphone is better than the 417. Probably next week I will go to restore. And I will tell you the results, I refuse to accept that this amp sounds as not soo good with the speakers.

 

[lukslp22]

You kept your 417 right?

Based on your original post you had listened to the Alpha amp and liked the midrange better, so what changed? Finding out what you like for a little bit is not what you want to live with?

Now restored is another beast, all nichicon muse, metal film resistors, silver mica bypass and new diodes. Is SUPERB the detail and very fast sound, and the voice now is extremely accurate. False alarm, thanks!!!

 

[lukslp22]

Picks!

 

[Gibsonian]

Seems you made the right choice, congrats. Keeper for many moons to come!

 

[lukslp22]

A crappy vid, with my honest setup: