bluesky: would you explain 'alpha' sound? -
I'm not good describing stereo sound but to me...
The 07 series sounds 'deep and heavy', >> like a live concert. Which is a great sound. I loved it.
The alpha series sounds deep also, but not quite as deep, also not quite as 'heavy', but it still sounds heavy, but not as heavy,
but more sophisticated, a cleaner sound, an audiophile sound. Also has 'Source Direct' mode. Maybe you could say it sounds a bit more musicial too. Just sounds different a little bit.
As another fellow here in AK said once: the alphas don't exactly sound like the old Sansui sound. Just slightly different. If your used to, for example, the AU-717/919 07 Sansui sound, you may not like the alpha sound. As for me...I got used to it real quick. Is it better? Not better, not worse, just 'slightly' different. I like it. Like the 'new' 1987-2000 Sansui audiophile sound. I prefer it now, I'm used to it. If I was to ever get another amp again, which I hope I don't, I'd get another alpha type amp. Works for me. Some alphas seem to be more well liked than other alphas, so it seems by used prices. Just have to research which model would be the one for you.
But 'Source Direct' on the alphas is mighty fine. Kinda like the circuit on the AU-919, direct signal from records.
But the '76-'80 07 amps sounds great too, no doubt about that, like 'live concerts', like 'you are there'. If you like the 717/919 sound...the '07 Anniversary' would be the amp to have, I believe. But they sure don't come cheap. And you would probably have to order it used from Japan and shipping would be very expensive on top of the expense for the amp which would be about $2000-$2300 (or more). Sure would be nice. But so would some specific model alphas.
Something like that anyway. :scratch2:
AU-X1111 MOS Vintage...even Sansui's designers said that was the one that sounds the best, most like a tube amp.
