Did I Catch The Bug!

[SoCal Sam]

Thoughts on the vandersteen model 2?

Nice sounding speaker with plenty of bass presence thanks to the rear facing 12 inch radiator. I heard a pair of 2Ce's recently with Au-717 and TU-717, both of which were re-capped. Definitely a laid back sound and not as forward as Yamaha's or some JBL's for that matter. Easy on the ears but not as detailed or as involving as my favorite NS-1000M's but that is a matter of opinion. I didn't like the 2Ce's balance and wished it was a full range dipole rather than a bass biased dipole.

 

[bluesky]

I wouldn't sell the Sansui gear. It is too nice.

Agreed.

If your gear is running fine...KEEP IT. ' Your lucky '. :yes:

Everyone (at least the Sansui folks) want a dependable AU-919. And you got one. You may really regret selling that for another amp. It may be very hard to adopt to a new amps sound too...cause it ain't a 919!

And the 919 has that direct circuit for LPs! The 919 is a fine amp just to be selling for no special reason, especially if it works right.

I had an AU-717 and absolutly loved it, just loved the deep amp Sansui sound and power coming out of the speakers...until it crashed hard. I do miss it. Now I'm running an '87 AU-X901 and really love it too, it's perfect for me ... but that 717 was something else! I really think you will miss the sound quality.

Also, TU-717s have really come down in price so if yours works you won't get much for it, maybe $250, or less. And yes, I know, it's an audiophile tuner, I have one also.
(First time I ever wrote a sentence that started and ended in 'also' - - haha. That's a first.)

i'd have a hard time parting with a tu-717 or au-919.:scratch2:

Me toooo

I just can't part with my TU-717. Just can't do it. I have no idea why they sound the way they do but man they really sound 'real'.


joedj89: You got the bug??? Take some medicine and get well! LOL. Keep the Sansui.

 

[joedj89]

yeah, I love my Sansui. I have at some point or another had this entire line. What would your take on running the 919 as just a power amp to a new Rotel RC-1550? Anyone own that pre-amp and love it?

 

[tdat7192]

Regarding the Vandersteens, If you can give them a whirl first it might be a good idea. They tend to be particularly sensitive to the amount of space behind them. It almost seemed like you knew a pair for sale somewhere. If they are in a room similar to yours, get them as close/far from the back wall as you would likely have them in your room and have a listen.

 

[24HACKER]

Keep the Sansui Gear - it is really good - buy some Dahlquist DQ-10's - you will really like them. I have JBL's also, but 'listen' to the DQ-10's

 

[joedj89]

I like the Dahlquist DQ-10's but those might be difficult to stumble upon. I will keep my eyes open for a pair. What is your take on the Klipsch Forte II. I found a pair near by in great condition, however I will be paying close to their value for them

 

[cnh2]

Tubes are not going to power the 80's.

Really? Are you trying to go deaf? L80ts have a 90 db efficiency at 8 ohms...hardly a "difficult" load to power?

Mine are in a 10 x 17 room and 50-60 watts x 2 is more than enough.

Heck, I've driven them with an early Panasonic D amp receiver to reasonable levels. Are you sure you're thinking about these JBLs or maybe the L100ts?

cnh2

 

[joedj89]

Tubes are not going to power the 80's.

I agree, I have heard tube amps power PIGS the l80t's are nothing to power. Obviously not as easy to power as a set of Klipsch, which could run on a head phone amp. My sansui Gear on the inside is PERFECT, I have considered taking some nudes to post. The only cosmetic issues I have with the Sansui's are the handles and the lids. I have considered getting the handles powder coated in black again, and the lids in a metallic Orange or White, but that would mean I am keeping this equipment forever lol. That would most definitely look SWEET though. My 400CD changers are great. I love my Rega UPG. RP1. The only item I would consider swapping out now after some advide from fellow AKers is my speakers. Which leads me to my next question. I found a pair of Meadowlark Kestrel's and I made an offer of 600$ for them. Do you think that those speakers are worth a 600$ investment, and would they beat my JBL l80t's senseless?

The Meadowlark Kestrel Hotrods are 2 way speakers with a high end tweeter and 6.5' woofer in them. I have been told that they have a tight bass for their drivers but the highs and mids can compete with my B&W 801's

 

[joedj89]

Really? Are you trying to go deaf? L80ts have a 90 db efficiency at 8 ohms...hardly a "difficult" load to power?

Mine are in a 10 x 17 room and 50-60 watts x 2 is more than enough.

Heck, I've driven them with an early Panasonic D amp receiver to reasonable levels. Are you sure you're thinking about these JBLs or maybe the L100ts?

cnh2

Sorry I meant I agree with This AKer

 

[joedj89]

New Speakers Kef 103/4!

I picked up a pair of Kef 103/4's on CL for 200$. Brought them home, plugged them into my Sansui AU-919 and ran them on flat against my JBL l80t's. It was a massacre. The Kef's were much more accurate and the soundstage filled the entire room. The JBL l80t's Sounded like they were being fed audio through a Campbell's soup can. I hate to see the JBL l80t's GO, but I should be able to go even farther up the chain if I outsource them and maintain my patience for another high end pair of speakers to pop up. Here are some PICS of my current setup until the JBL l80t's are sold

 

[aileenamegan]

Great choice - well done!
I love KEF.
If you would like to upgrade once... Try IMF - with KEF Chassis. Its a different world. You will be delighted.

 

[joedj89]

Yeah the Kef 103/4's are incredible. The imaging fills the entire room and the tight accurate bass is far superior to the l80ts boomy boxy bass sound. I'm satisfied with the choice but I am gig to continue to buy/sell for a profit until I get to super high end territory. It will also allow me to experience a bit of every speaker concept along the way

 

[Kahoona]

None of us can tell you anything except for what we would do and we are all different. It makes for a wonderfully varied thread though:yes:
Personally I always have to have 2 systems worth of stuff working (all in the same system:scratch2. I would take a long time and peruse CL, Barter Town and keep an ear to the ground too. I would buy one item at a time integrating it into the current system and evaluating it as I go. Always replace the weak point if possible but if an upgrade comes along that is a great deal go for it. After evaluation put the unneeded gear on Barter Town. You will constantly have something new going on. There will be constant improvement. Mistakes will be minor and possibly sell for more than you paid. You only need enough extra money for one item at a time. You will be entertained for years! When you are finished you will be certain that this is the best you ever had. BTW You will never be finished, the bug is not curable.
"Welcome to the Hotel Audiokarma
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely place"

"There's plenty of room at the Hotel Audiokarma
Any time of year
You will find us here"
ect ect

 

[joedj89]

None of us can tell you anything except for what we would do and we are all different. It makes for a wonderfully varied thread though:yes:
Personally I always have to have 2 systems worth of stuff working (all in the same system:scratch2. I would take a long time and peruse CL, Barter Town and keep an ear to the ground too. I would buy one item at a time integrating it into the current system and evaluating it as I go. Always replace the weak point if possible but if an upgrade comes along that is a great deal go for it. After evaluation put the unneeded gear on Barter Town. You will constantly have something new going on. There will be constant improvement. Mistakes will be minor and possibly sell for more than you paid. You only need enough extra money for one item at a time. You will be entertained for years! When you are finished you will be certain that this is the best you ever had. BTW You will never be finished, the bug is not curable.
"Welcome to the Hotel Audiokarma
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely place"

"There's plenty of room at the Hotel Audiokarma
Any time of year
You will find us here"
ect ect

Yeah I know haha. Well I have no arguments with my turntable. It is great eventually when it is time to upgrade I will just buy the upgrade package for my rega. My 919 is great keeping that for sure, would love to get my hands on its matching tuner and would pay a very large sum of money for it. Speakers I feel I will never be 100% satisfied with, just have to continuously move up the chain on the one system until I get a house and can start to build multiple room ststems

 

[kermit z]

Believe it or not, you will get to the point that the speakers are what you are looking for. It takes alot of time, and trial and error, but can happen. Looks like a great set-up so enjoy it

 

[joedj89]

Yeah I look every morning and evening, it has become a ritual. The only object in audio im not worried about is my media, with over 220k songs and counting of high quality 320kbps or higher mp3s. Over 1000 cd's and over 40 new vinyl presses I should only spend my money on speakers at this point. My solid state equipment can't get much better

 

[DCinDC]

Congrats on a worthy speaker choice!

 

[joedj89]

Jamo 7.7

I also picked up a pair of Jamo 7.7's. They fair very well against the Kef's for jazz and other similar genre's. The Jamo's jam rock in a way the kef's could never imagine though.

 

[ManFromPorlock]

You might want to try a pair of Dynaco A-25 speakers: usually not too expensive and they'll give you a baseline idea of what very good speakers sound like.

 

[bluesky]

I'd love a tube amp myself but I wouldn't sell my 'reliable' gear to get it.

Good luck!