Now I've had them ALL!

[DCinDC]

sorta....


I just got and fixed an AU-9500.
Sounds great!

I was looking at the ClassicAudio.com page with the retail values, and production years.

It occurred to me that I have an AU-9900 sitting here, and it was the replacement for the AU-9500.

and I have an AU-919 upstairs that was the replacement for that.

And I have an AU-999 in the LR that was the predecessor of the AU-9500.

hmmmmm

 

[RandyFloyd76]

Curious, how would you rank them sound wise?

 

[DCinDC]

Well....... the AU-9900 is broken at the moment. But I guess that it sounds a lot like an AU-20000, which I am very familiar with.

The AU-919 is broken too, and it is different enough from the other x1x models that I can't guess.

The AU-999 is one that needs the sub filter/gain mods as disclosed in mine and Kevzep's threads. And I don;t have one that has had all that done to it.

So, with all that, here is what I can say.

The 9500 is PUNCHY and dynamic. I noticed it during checkout with old headphones. Manhattan Transfer was THERE. Like no other. It also has FAT FAT bass, but not flabby.
The 9900 is clear and loud, and accurate. No bloom, blossom, other coloring. Almost scientific, but not in a bad way.
The 999 is smooth, and warm. I do miss the loudness contour, and I am putting a loudness circuit in mine.

And I am one of those guys who doesn't believe the amp can have this effect, but clearly it does....

 

[qsaudio]

AND ?

the AU-20000 ?

When I heard it, it was too crispy, didn't sound right no matter how I turned the tone controls.Too accurate, too something.I worked on that amp right when the first Bush Iraq war.Back then at that time the shelves dried up, the phone quit ringing, and that was the ONLY project-thing to work on,

I do believe getting at things to set bias was a friggen nightmare.Or I think it was you HAVE to use those dual emitter resistors because there is no room for any other kind.

But what is your opinion of the 20000 ?

 

[DCinDC]

No, they have single emitter resistors. On that damned PCB between the heatsink halves.

AU-20Ks sound good. Very clean and powerful. Effortless, unflappable. They will teach you about massive reserves of power even though you listen at far less than full power.

I've had 5 AU-20000s, and still have two. One is a serious basket case, that I will keep since it works.
No loudness circuit though. The preamps in those are weird. Kale told me that they add 20 db of gain and then throw it away.

 

[nosirrah]

I've made no secret of it but IMHO of all the integrateds the AU 9500 is the best, sound, looks, build quality are all top notch.
I wish they had put watt meters on them, my QS 7000 from the same era has them.
Enjoy DC....I am looking for the knobs you need.