Oh no! Now what do I do? Sansui AU-9900 or Pioneer SA-9500
- Thread starter BilboBaggins
- Start date
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
A great problem to have, I think.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Definitely! I’m not complaining! I just never expected to be in this enviable position. I’m really looking forward comparing these two amps. I suspect the Pioneer is the easier unit to work on based on what I’ve seen when I open them up. Pioneer has really good service documentation.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I also happen to like both amplifiers. Either in fine order will give you musical, dependable results for many years.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I have to say, I prefer the original Sansui AU-9900 volume control. I’m holding off on any decision though until I’ve lived with both units for a while. But first things first, I need my tech to look at the Pioneer.
@KingBubba, I got the set screws out no problem. I bought a brand new metric set of Allen keys last night. I didn’t damage the set screw because the smallest Allen key I had tried before was 2 mm.
@KingBubba, I got the set screws out no problem. I bought a brand new metric set of Allen keys last night. I didn’t damage the set screw because the smallest Allen key I had tried before was 2 mm.
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KingBubba
"Too Much Stuff"
I have a SA-9500 that I rehabbed years ago. It is a very quality item. Somewhere out there in AK land is the thread I did for it. It has a lot of info. At the end I could not get the bias on the right side to adjust. It sits that way now because right after the troubles, I got a hold of an SX-1250 and 1280 on the same day. My attentions were fully redirected.
Someday I would like to polish off the 9500. Always someday.
Someday I would like to polish off the 9500. Always someday.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Well, I figured I would give you all an update on this. I got the Pioneer back from my tech, and he replaced some prone to failure transistors, the relay, and reflowed solder on three boards. He also cleaned the central controls that I had a hard time getting at. I got it back last Wednesday, and Thursday night was comparison night.
My intention was to do multiple comparisons with multiple speakers, but it didn’t work out that way. I did do some ABC comparisons with my MA-6200, my Sansui AU-9900, and the newly returned Pioneer. The results were interesting. The MA-6200 was the clear winner, but it lost completely when I put the Kef 103.2 on it. It was the worst of the three. The AU9900 was best with the Kef. It came in second to the MA-6200 with the Technics SB-5000A speakers while listening to Led Zeppelin 1 and Sade. The Pioneer was just a tad less than the Sansui with the same two albums. I decided to post the Pioneer for sale mainly because cosmetically, the Sansui is missing some control knobs and has a bit more wear on the case. So I figured I would maximize the sale by selling the Pioneer. The one I am keeping (Sansui) will be my test work horse for demoing gear.
The Pioneer sold this afternoon. So ABC testing is now closed. But I did enjoy it, and thought I would have more time for testing. It wasn’t meant to be.
My intention was to do multiple comparisons with multiple speakers, but it didn’t work out that way. I did do some ABC comparisons with my MA-6200, my Sansui AU-9900, and the newly returned Pioneer. The results were interesting. The MA-6200 was the clear winner, but it lost completely when I put the Kef 103.2 on it. It was the worst of the three. The AU9900 was best with the Kef. It came in second to the MA-6200 with the Technics SB-5000A speakers while listening to Led Zeppelin 1 and Sade. The Pioneer was just a tad less than the Sansui with the same two albums. I decided to post the Pioneer for sale mainly because cosmetically, the Sansui is missing some control knobs and has a bit more wear on the case. So I figured I would maximize the sale by selling the Pioneer. The one I am keeping (Sansui) will be my test work horse for demoing gear.
The Pioneer sold this afternoon. So ABC testing is now closed. But I did enjoy it, and thought I would have more time for testing. It wasn’t meant to be.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Here is the last picture I took with all three amps!
Nemo bit
Active Member
Which do you think you prefer the sound of would be the answer. I am for Sansui but I prefer the sound in my ears Sansui provides
The Pioneer was pretty much the best they ever offered soo.. It's in the ear of the beholder. If that's not the answer you were looking for do what I do. Buy both.
Cheers!
The Pioneer was pretty much the best they ever offered soo.. It's in the ear of the beholder. If that's not the answer you were looking for do what I do. Buy both.
Cheers!
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I have actually just gotten the Sansui back from my tech. I wanted him to replace some prone to failure transistors, clean the glue, and replace anything else that needed it. Not a full restore, but a reliable workhorse. I haven’t listened to it yet because I have just finished restoring a pair of EPI M100s and a pair of KLH 17s.
So I listened to the EPI 100s on the MA-6200 and they sound glorious together! Solid bass, clean highs, and beautiful imaging. I had been listening to them together for a few days, while I was rebuilding the crossovers in the KLH 17s, and then I was done. Put the klh on the Mc, and although they sounded good together, there was no magic like the EPIs. When I picked up the Sansui, I also picked up my freshly adjusted Kenwood KA-5500. So I decided to hear how the Kenny and the klh sounded together. Moved the Mc out and Kenny in, and I was very surprised. The klh came to life with the Kenny. Very happy over all with the results, and I’m looking forward to hearing how both sets of speakers perform with the Sansui. Hopefully this weekend.
So I listened to the EPI 100s on the MA-6200 and they sound glorious together! Solid bass, clean highs, and beautiful imaging. I had been listening to them together for a few days, while I was rebuilding the crossovers in the KLH 17s, and then I was done. Put the klh on the Mc, and although they sounded good together, there was no magic like the EPIs. When I picked up the Sansui, I also picked up my freshly adjusted Kenwood KA-5500. So I decided to hear how the Kenny and the klh sounded together. Moved the Mc out and Kenny in, and I was very surprised. The klh came to life with the Kenny. Very happy over all with the results, and I’m looking forward to hearing how both sets of speakers perform with the Sansui. Hopefully this weekend.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
So we’ve decided to match the MA-6200 with the EPIs for our bedroom system. I have a new Dual 1019 which is in better cosmetic condition than the one I put aside. It comes with a near perfect Dual dustcover, so I’ve matched it with the older Dual with the Dual Plinth, and someone is coming to check it out tomorrow. Since my console has a lid, I don’t need a Plinth or a dust cover. The ma-6200 will be mounted inside there, and I will match it with one of my tape decks. Perfect for romantic evenings with mixed tapes! 
I will probably match my B&O CDX for placement beside the turntable lid. The EPIs on either side.
Now, we just need to finish the master bedroom so we can use this system.
I will probably match my B&O CDX for placement beside the turntable lid. The EPIs on either side. Now, we just need to finish the master bedroom so we can use this system.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Further to post number 32, this weekend I did some more experimentation with the KLH, the EPI M100s, and different amps. I tried the KLH with my Pioneer SX-737 and they sound really good. Basically, I’m seeing that the KLH work well with everything I’ve tried except for my McIntosh MA-6200. The Mc is the highest power rated of them all. The Pioneer was the lowest power rated that I’ve tried so far. The Sansui and the KLH sounded the best together.
So I decided to put the EPI M100s on the Pioneer, and they sounded good, but not as good as with the Mc. Then I tried the Sansui with the EPIs. They sounded really good with the Sansui, only, as we were listening to Isaac Hayes, the left channel on the Sansui cut out. It is in the preamp side of the amp because I can switch the output from the right to the left using the mode switch. I think I will have to bring it back to my tech.
So I decided to put the EPI M100s on the Pioneer, and they sounded good, but not as good as with the Mc. Then I tried the Sansui with the EPIs. They sounded really good with the Sansui, only, as we were listening to Isaac Hayes, the left channel on the Sansui cut out. It is in the preamp side of the amp because I can switch the output from the right to the left using the mode switch. I think I will have to bring it back to my tech.
corbin
Well-Known Member
You happen to have 2 speakers that I've wondered many times lately how they compare to eachother - EPI 100s and KEF 103.2s. I think a lot of people see the build quality/price differences and assume the cheaper speakers can't possibly compete, but I think the EPIs may surprise a lot of people. Anyway, can you give your thoughts please.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I can’t properly say anything about the Kef 103.2s yet, because I have a problem on one of them, and haven’t gotten to it yet. I get distortion at low output. But neither the EPIs nor the 103.2s are going anywhere. I really want to hear the differences between the Kef 105s and the 103.2s, so stay tuned to this thread. I’ll be posting the updates here. The big problem with comparing the Kef with the EPIs is that the Kef’s sound better with the Sansui and the EPIs sound best with the Mc. Perhaps I’ll just put both of them on my Bose 1801 and see how they play together?
For background, these are the second EPIs I’ve had. I picked them up specifically because I had a pair of EPI MT1 mini towers that quite impressed me years ago. They didn’t fit in with where I was going at that time so they moved on. I picked up the M100s last winter at a thrift store. They were looking pretty rough, but when I pulled off the grills, everything looked good inside there, and the price was right, so I brought them home. I’ve replaced the 10 uF cap in each, replaced one dead tweeter, and refreshed the cabinetry.
Edit: I initially didn’t expect I would be keeping the M100s. But after I replaced the dead tweeter, the capacitors, and refreshed the cabinetry, my wife and I were both very impressed by how they sound and how they look. I’ve been focusing lately on repairing things with an eye to moving them on. Especially with College starting soon, and students coming back.
For background, these are the second EPIs I’ve had. I picked them up specifically because I had a pair of EPI MT1 mini towers that quite impressed me years ago. They didn’t fit in with where I was going at that time so they moved on. I picked up the M100s last winter at a thrift store. They were looking pretty rough, but when I pulled off the grills, everything looked good inside there, and the price was right, so I brought them home. I’ve replaced the 10 uF cap in each, replaced one dead tweeter, and refreshed the cabinetry.
Edit: I initially didn’t expect I would be keeping the M100s. But after I replaced the dead tweeter, the capacitors, and refreshed the cabinetry, my wife and I were both very impressed by how they sound and how they look. I’ve been focusing lately on repairing things with an eye to moving them on. Especially with College starting soon, and students coming back.
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BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
A bit of an update from 4 years. I actually sold the EPI M100s in September. They went to a good home, and I'm happy with my decision. I got the crossovers repaired on both of my Kef 103.2s. I had gone in myself twice and missed the issues. The problem that needs to be addressed in the Kef 103.2s have to do with a capacitor in the protection circuit. It leaks and causes all kinds of havoc on the PCB. Once the crossovers were fixed, I compared the EPI M100s with the Kef 103.2s using my Quad 33/303 duo and the McIntosh C26 and a Yamaha M40 as well as the AU-9900. I hadn't yet dug my MA-6200 out from storage, but the Kefs easily beat the M100s using all these amps. The repairs to the crossover made that much difference. The Kefs were being choked by the corroded traces on the crossovers. Eventually, I burned through one which was a hairline, I suspect. I felt safe letting the M100s move on. My wife and I both listened to them. Both speakers sounded the best with the M40. Hardly surprising. But in all cases, the Kefs had better detail and better bass. The M100s might have had a slight edge in midrange. We agreed to let the M100s go. The Kef's are now in their permanent space but I haven't yet installed the MA6200 in the console (I need to trim some off the top in the cabinet to put the MA6200). Lots to do as we are also bringing in stuff that was in storage for 15 months. Much of it is moving on.
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BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Things move slowly around here lately. I figured I would bring everyone up to date on this. The Kef 103.2s are in the bedroom, and I've been using the McIntosh MA-6200 to drive them. It isn't installed in the cabinet yet, but I decided to hook it all up because I couldn't stand using the TVs speakers. In order to get sound from the TV to the amp, I am running the stereo output from the TV to the AUX in of the McIntosh. I think the TV does some EQing of the sound for movies and TV, but I was able to adjust that quite nicely with the tone controls of the Mc. We really like the system as it is.
I have some in-ceiling B&W speakers installed in the ceiling of the ensuite bathroom(for when we are soaking in the tub), however I need to find where the two boxes are in the ceiling before I can install the actual drivers. I went all out, bought those speakers off FBM, and then later on, I bought the optional cabinets that B&W also sells. Those were more expensive than the drivers. But the guys doing drywall during our renovations covered up and plastered over the units I installed in the ceiling, while my wife and I were out of town. I had planned on marking the ceiling centre point for each, but no. I do have the measurements, and I also have an electronic stud finder, which I'm hoping will help me zoom in on the speaker boxes, as well as many pictures. That will be a later project as I have a lot to do around here and priorities seem to shift all the time.
It is a wonderful thing to see my goals from 5 years ago turn into reality. Now hopefully, we can get everything set up to our satisfaction. We sacrificed some space by combining two bedrooms and a 3 piece bathroom into a master with a large ensuite bathroom and a powder room.
I have some in-ceiling B&W speakers installed in the ceiling of the ensuite bathroom(for when we are soaking in the tub), however I need to find where the two boxes are in the ceiling before I can install the actual drivers. I went all out, bought those speakers off FBM, and then later on, I bought the optional cabinets that B&W also sells. Those were more expensive than the drivers. But the guys doing drywall during our renovations covered up and plastered over the units I installed in the ceiling, while my wife and I were out of town. I had planned on marking the ceiling centre point for each, but no. I do have the measurements, and I also have an electronic stud finder, which I'm hoping will help me zoom in on the speaker boxes, as well as many pictures. That will be a later project as I have a lot to do around here and priorities seem to shift all the time.
It is a wonderful thing to see my goals from 5 years ago turn into reality. Now hopefully, we can get everything set up to our satisfaction. We sacrificed some space by combining two bedrooms and a 3 piece bathroom into a master with a large ensuite bathroom and a powder room.
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