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Might be dumb: Art DJ II vs Phono on Sansui 2000a

SpicySammich

SpicySammich

Well-Known Member
All,

I'm running a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Orto 2M Blue through a Sansui 2000a stock phono preamps and to a pair of Focal 807 V's.

I'm curious if going with an Art DJ II would be a step up over the stock pre's? I've been looking at the Emotiva XPS-1 but not sure.

Probably a dumb question but thought I'd toss it out there.

I'll add that I'm not unhappy with the sound, but like everyone, I'm curious to know if something like this (a low end pre though it seems to review well) would add to my enjoyment.
 
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For the money, the ART is a fine phono preamp. It's well made and has a dynamic presentation. God knows, it bested some higher dollar preamps made by Cambridge, Music Hall and NAD.
 
I had one at the very beginning with my AT 120 running into my HT amp. I guess I don't have the money to buy a nice pre and was pondering cheap improvements. As I said, I'm certainly not unhappy with things now though I've decided that if any more hardware is bought it will be a pre. I'd rather buy vinyl though. Much more fun.
 
Celt said:
For the money, the ART is a fine phono preamp. It's well made and has a dynamic presentation. God knows, it bested some higher dollar preamps made by Cambridge, Music Hall and NAD.
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I do not understand why delete post nothing negative about memeber just truth?
ART probably does sound good to LOT of people I believe that NOT attack sound but does not change fact it IS cheap FULL of cheap no name electrolytics better way to spend $50
Design ok it ALL start with analog devices texas instrument etc chip sets dozen stages just like it design wise how can any one go wrong there?
Just my opinion
SpicySammich could buy $10 panasonic or nichicon capacitors and have much better for moving magnet and save price for extra pair of cables all at same time
Caps and few old time noisey transitors replace in 2000 take machine to whole other level
ART cheap solution for people with amp or receiver with NO phono stage
For that ok
ART has many many complaints on line people verified who buy does not last long not made very well I looked at for my daughter
Sounds good when works they say but just not good for long term
If stand alone machine what you want buy used rotel parasound better built amp with better parts power supply same money
My opinion
JJ
 
Well, mine's been on 24/7 for 5 years without any problem. Can't say the same for a NAD which took a **** just after 6 months.

Oh, and your post was deleted because of the racist rhetoric it contained.
Try controlling your trolling ways.
 
I have the art and I love it. I also have a vintage pioneer amp (pioneer SA 550) and sometimes I compare the sound going through the art or directly to the amp. I think the art adds a little more bass ... a more punchy sound. I usually use it.
 
Celt said:
Well, mine's been on 24/7 for 5 years without any problem. Can't say the same for a NAD which took a **** just after 6 months.

Oh, and your post was deleted because of the racist rhetoric it contained.
Try controlling your trolling ways.
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I just PM you I did not and do not say any thing racist
That word getting thrown at people too much now days
JJ
 
I agree with JimmyEJames. The money would be better spent on something better. There is under $100. The Emotiva XPS-1 is not worth the price. I would check out Project, Cambridge Audio, which is what I'm looking to buy.
 
Another fan of the Art DJ Pre II. I kinda stumbled into it, as I wanted to route my table into the analog in on my tube buffer/dac. Pretty amazing difference compared to the OEM receiver's phono stage.

Therein lies the rub ... I've since rebuilt the receiver, and that now has a sweeter sound than the Art.

Therein lies yet another rub ... that's without the dbx SNR1 I use to lower the noise floor on the table, which I can't use inline on the internal receiver stage.

And yet another rub ... I've since gone to an external amp using the receiver as a pre, and the Art just does a better job with that setup ...

Balifly said it best ...

Balifly said:
Yes to experimenting. :thumbsup:

Have fun. :music:
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I am sure that the ART is a nice piece of equipment, especially for the money.

Comparing it to a 40+ year old solid state receiver is difficult. The Sansui, and other 70's receivers for that matter, would benefit greatly from a refresh of key components such as electrolytic capacitors in the power supply, the preamp stage, and especially the phono stage.
 
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Gibsonian said:
With a recap I'd wager on the 2000a
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And that was another option I am considering. I have no idea what it would cost to have done and thus far I don't have any recommendations for a place here in the armpit. There's a place a mile away that does it but no idea if they are any good. I've never soldered and I wouldn't know what I was doing, but I'd almost rather do it myself. Or maybe buy the parts to make sure I have the good stuff. I don't know.
 
In a larger community like Phoenix would think you could find someplace to give you a ballpark quote. Read in another thread there is someone in Vegas I think (AK member) that does this kind of work. If room allows you might be able to get rid of some electrolytics and install mylar or other better sounding caps where possible. I would think about replacing PCB level transistors as well while you were in there. There are other AK members here that do this kind of work as well you could ship your 2000A to.
 
SpicySammich said:
And that was another option I am considering. I have no idea what it would cost to have done and thus far I don't have any recommendations for a place here in the armpit. There's a place a mile away that does it but no idea if they are any good. I've never soldered and I wouldn't know what I was doing, but I'd almost rather do it myself. Or maybe buy the parts to make sure I have the good stuff. I don't know.
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Look for an AK member to do this if you cannot find someone local that you know is good.

If you do not know how to solder on electronics boards I would not practice on your Sansui. Practice removing and replacing parts on throw away items. I receiver recap/restore should be done by a Tech with experience and with test equipment to verify performance.

bob
 
Phoenix sucks and its a weird place to live. But thats a story for another day.

Ideally, I'd like to not have to ship this thing but I guess I may have to
 
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