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Next logical "step up/upgrade" from Technics 80's sound?

N

NYC Moose

Member
Next logical "step up/upgrade" from Technics 80's sound?

I dig technics and currently enjoy my SU-V6X but am wondering what I am missing without any Harmon Kardon, Sansui or Marantz in my life and audio equipment line up?

Is there a logical next step musically and particularly if ai truly enjoy the Technics 80's power sound?
 
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There are about a million models between all of those brands listed. With changing designs from the 60's to present you can't really make much of a comparison to your particular amp. You also have to remember that any of the desirable Sansui and Marantz gear is going to come with the name tax that seems to add at least another 1/3 to the price.

I have liked all of the Technics amps I've heard and there are quite a few fans of them here.
I'm not much of a gear swapper. My two cents says, if you enjoy it, keep on doing that.
 
Most of the Sansui/Marantz hype is just that.

I was a Technics fanboy during the 80's and most of the 90's, so they DO exist.

Now I'm a Sony/Pioneer guy, but I'd absolutely have back my SA GX-500.
 
pauldrewry said:
How about NAD or Rotel or B & K? Separates will take you to another level.
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i really like the NAD sound. I had a power amp once and it really stood tall. Had an integrated that I used for at least 10 years.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the Technics sound. If its like Denon, he will like NAD.
 
I won't say Sansui/Marantz or others was a lot of hype. I think in the 70's, many were building better gear, (especially Sansui was) and things then went downhill and declined quickly when the 80's came along.

Some of the later Sansui's were as light as a feather, you could toss them across a room with one hand. 80's and 90's VCR quality essentially.

During the 70's receiver wars, a lot of great gear was made from just about all the major players. The largest problems they now face, is 45 plus years have passed. How good will they sound, and what, or how much will it take to bring them back to their former glory, and reliability?

Separates can be a a step up, and as mentioned, millions of components are out there. The usual major consideration is, how much are you willing to lighten your wallet?
 
YY1 said:
Most of the Sansui/Marantz hype is just that.

I was a Technics fanboy during the 80's and most of the 90's, so they DO exist.

Now I'm a Sony/Pioneer guy, but I'd absolutely have back my SA GX-500.
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Hype? If we are talking about 70’s and 80’s, they made good stuff. Now Haflers, didnt likem.
 
I was talking about the extra cost and associated perceived value placed on those specific brand names in today's market.
 
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YY1 said:
I was talking out the extra cost and associated perceived value placed on those specific brand names in today's market.
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true. When hipsters converge and create a fad, they upset market prices. They did the same for vintage bicycles. That market is still whack.
 
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I guess we should get clarification from the OP.

Are they looking to "step up" to a "better" vintage setup, or to a more "modern sound".
 
NYC Moose said:
Next logical "step up/upgrade" from Technics 80's sound?

I dig technics and currently enjoy my SU-V6X but am wondering what I am missing without any Harmon Kardon, Sansui or Marantz in my life and audio equipment line up?

Is there a logical next step musically and particularly if ai truly enjoy the Technics 80's power sound?
Click to expand...
You aren't missing anything at all. I started with Technics in 1980 and am now back to it. I ran my Technics SU-V707 just the other night. Don't sell those units short. Sure Technics made some crap, but that SU-V6X is not crap at all.

If you really want to step up then I would say to go for some separates. But you already have 100 WPC with that SU-V6X. That is a nice unit for sure.
 
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Overall, through and through, I am a huge Technics fan, huge! I just have not ventured outside of the systems that i focused on and know that I appreciate the Technics speakers SB-2745's and sound from their receivers, integrated amps, etc. now wondering if where I currently reside with a great SU-V6X but don't imagine myself being able to justify, anytime soon, an upgrade to say the true TOTL technics since few and far between appear and are also very expensive, as well when they do show up. The equally impressive SA-500 is my 2nd fave. I have begun my path down minor electronics repairs through Technics freebies on CL and cheap-o GW auctions so that has also focused my direction, brand-wise.

Simply put SU-V6X integrated amp as main, (recently acquired and refoamed) 2x AR93Q's as stereo speakers and a few hundred CD's on carousel and jukebox pieces, SLQ200 TT. ST-C04 tuner - where am I at weakest point for quality 2 channel bliss?

So, in keeping with all that, **IF** any true hard core Technics fans think there may be a side bet I should start peeking at, then let a MoFo know, please and thank you...

@YY1 No thank you on Modern Sound, higher quality and within the realm of Technics "warm" soundscapes?
 
Currently seeking a higher end matching V6X tuner in the ST-S 6/7/8 world and will only make true line upgrades on Technics stuff...
 
Seperates yes. If you like technics stick with technics. some of the older high end seperates from the 70s/80s/90s/present day are monsters and very handsome, i dont know how easily available they are for you in your area/country.

Sansui is not hype by the way. Late 70s craftsmanship is amazing, build quality is second to none and they are affordable. Look at sansui au 717 or 919 or au 20000...
Sl400 image is the sansui au 717

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I've upgraded pretty much everything else in my system since I've gotten the Technics SL-1300 turnable that I have... but I've kept that thing and pretty much have no complaints. They made some very good gear...
 
With separates, you can upgrade one component at a time, without carrying the possibly sub-par baggage of other components along with. But if you already have a receiver with the right kind of connectivity (pre-out, main-in, tape out), you don't have to buy four expensive components all at once - you can buy just one at a time while you use the receiver for the others. Each piece can be auditioned and compared separately against a known quantity - your existing receiver, so you can make sure each component is an actual, hearable upgrade, rather than relying on a new mixed bag of stuff (a new receiver) to please in all aspects. The four ingredients to a receiver are a tuner, phono preamp, line preamp, and power amp. Each ingredient can be substituted with a separate component, one at a time.

Four times the upgrades! Four times the fun!! :)

To be fair, a quality integrated amp would be another upgrade path worth considering.
 
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