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Now that's the build quality I'm talking about

A 'real' Yamaha amp


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In general, yes. The Sansui above fails in my opinion, on several on my parameters, and could not possibly be described as having a "high build quality"

However, picking just one parameter like spring terminals as make or break is not accurate either. There were plenty of extremely well built amps in the 1970s, with those evil speaker connectors. I have a big 200+200watt Hitachi, weighing 25.5kg with a superb build quality and guess what? I has those terminals!

You need a list of determining factors in my opinion and weigh up the sum total to make a determination.


JoeESP9 said:
Those spring clip speaker connectors on that Sansui hardly say "high build quality". It would seem to me that any device using them is not in the "high build quality" category.
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restorer-john said:
Here's a few suggestions for determining build quality in analogue amplifiers:

Minimal use of moulded plastics, for cosmetic, operational, structural or support purposes.

Significant use of metals for chassis, casework, control knobs and shafts, internal supports and bracing and/or external support structures.

Signal path minimization via strategic placement of switching using high quality components.

Minimal use of multi-way connectors, ribbon cable, unshielded cable, surface mount componetry, monolithic integrated circuits.

Usage of high quality components from reputable suppliers.

Elimination of noise from micro controllers or removal of unnecessary CPUs and/or digital electronics.

Significant reserve capacity in transformer, rectifiers, main filter caps and all associated PSU feed wiring over and above the rated/designed performance targets.

Low impedance PSU lines. busses and output feeds.

Significantly over-engineered output stage to allow for virtually any conceivable load without destruction or premature shut-down.
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I also think the pressed steel sheet chassis does not say quality to me either.

Personally i would take the same amp but built less extravagantly for 3 or 4k less. I usually go for initial looks first, then sound quality, then build. If an item is made of crap but sounds stunning then what does it matter how/what it's made of?

I have to say that i think the hi-fi manufacturers are pandering to these rich people who will buy this stuff, they could easily build that amp for less but why would they when they can sell it for $$$$$$ rather than $$$
 
For me those spring clip speaker connectors are sufficient to preclude any device from the high build quality category.

They are sort of like having a Ferrari with four compact spares for tires. In addition they're a lot more work to change than tires.

While high build quality is somewhat important to me it's not the main reason I base a purchase on. Sound always comes first.
 
Superampman said:
So much for build quality. What is it with you guys and Asian products anyway? N. American made has always been better(looking too). Okay, maybe not McIntosh(looks, yes. Sq, no). Never liked that one. But the rest blows the Asian market out of the water. Always has. Especially if you include the Brits(Aussies as well...OH OH).
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Yeah, no good amp has ever come out of Japan :rolleyes:
 
Tiggerlator said:
I have to say that i think the hi-fi manufacturers are pandering to these rich people who will buy this stuff, they could easily build that amp for less but why would they when they can sell it for $$$$$$ rather than $$$
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And that's another dilemma. Post pics of a modern amp that meets all of restorer-john's points, and it'll likely be labeled as "boutique" and "audiophool".

Best to just stick to the vintage pieces so beloved around here. :thmbsp:
 
matteos said:
Yeah, no good amp has ever come out of Japan :rolleyes:
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Easy there big fella. I was referring to the one Steve Huff brought back shortly after raving about it. I didn't say they're not good. Just that pretty well all the other non-Asian major manufacturing countries do much better. I would however like to have a listen to a Yamaha MX10000.:)
 
robgmn said:
With the amount of times you've typed AU-2000 on this website, I could almost picture you on one of those "my unique obsession" TV shows caressing and kissing your Sansui after pouring a glass of wine for yourself and another for the amp.

Maybe it's just me, but the internal shot of that Sansui doesn't make me say "wow, look at that build quality!" (nor does an exterior shot).
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Are you serious? I didn't say all Sansui's and the model you posted is not what I am talking about.

You should see when my Sui puts her nighty on! Although the other night she caught me looking at nudies of the AU-X1.:naughty:

Here's the AU-20000, a far cry from what you posted (I'd jump at the chance of getting something like this for $2,500 today).





Here's the AU-X1 (notice the separate transformer for the pre-amp section)



 
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Superampman said:
Easy there big fella. I was referring to the one Steve Huff brought back shortly after raving about it. I didn't say they're not good. Just that pretty well all the other non-Asian major manufacturing countries do much better. I would however like to have a listen to a Yamaha MX10000.:)
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Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Luxman, Hitachi.. etc etc Have all built and some continue to build amps that rival if not better anything put out by anyone else.

Just a simple fact... For instance I think Audioholics uses the Denon POA-A1HDCI as their reference amp.
 
Boy some of this old stuff is stunning! I was really only familiar with some of the 22__ series Marantz receivers although I also owned a Kenwood and Pioneer receiver back in the day whose model numbers I couldn't remember if you held a gun to my head.

I have an early 1990's era Yamaha RX-V990 which was about about a grand back then and it always struck me as a solid, well built, and musical receiver for an A/V model but that AU-20000 has me gobsmacked. But I always wonder if the amp, as long as it meets certain specs and build quality, isn't actually the least important part of the chain. In other words, at similar volume levels using the same source components and speakers, will that $7000 Yamaha (or multi thousands AU-20000) really make a noticeable improvement to the overall sound compared to the $1000 Yamaha integrated or my Marantz PM8004? I know some will say, of course, but it's speakers and source material where *I* can hear differences. Then again, I don't have the opportunity (or interest) some of you guys have to constantly audition gear.

Still, that Sansui is a thing of beauty like a lot of the old upper end gear that much of today's components seem to lack (until you get to McIntosh, Luxman, and a lot of the boutique gear).
 
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JoeESP9 said:
Those spring clip speaker connectors on that Sansui hardly say "high build quality". It would seem to me that any device using them is not in the "high build quality" category.
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Those solder joints on the green board look pretty poor.
 
matteos said:
Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Luxman, Hitachi.. etc etc Have all built and some continue to build amps that rival if not better anything put out by anyone else.

Just a simple fact... For instance I think Audioholics uses the Denon POA-A1HDCI as their reference amp.
Click to expand...

Uh, nope.
 
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