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Pioneer A-757 vs Sansui A717, wich one?

Vinicius

Vinicius

New Member
Pioneer A-757 vs Sansui AU717, wich one?

Hi there, I almost define my Amplifier search between those models.
Both are in excellent condition and at the same price
I know that between the Sansui and the Pioneer is almost a decade
I listened both, and they sound great , but if possible, any other advice will be hepful
Thanks
Marcos Pruneda
Buenos Aires
Argentina
 
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I would think that this being the Pioner forum people are going to recommend the Pioneer. Maybe post it in the Sansui sectian as well... Or actually generral.

I can attest to the build of that Sansui. The thing is truly two monoblocks sharing only (the phenolic of the) circuit boards and power switch. Well, the main fuse as well I think. All the way through otherwise, even the phono preamp has separate supplies.

I haven't worked on that model Pioneer but looked it up on the engine. It has moving coil capability, which I am pretty sure the Sansui lacks. If you ever thing you are goint to pay $300 for a cartridge you might want that. However there is an IC in the power amps, which I do not like. It appears to be mainly for protection but I didn't study it all that long. I say when you can avoid ICs, avoid them.

The Pioneer has slightly more power and a hair higher damping factor. (think of damping factor as the bottom number of a fraction, like power, it takes a lot of difference in that number to be hearable, that 15 % difference in power output also means nothing)

The Pioneer uses some strange ass configuration with two transformers but it does not appear to have totally separate supplies for each channel. Not really sure what they got out of doing that really, but it is not the usual power supply. Just more current. The Sansui, each transformer seconday is center tapped, the Pioneer they are not, which means nothing sonically except that the two channels still share the same power supply.

They each have their unique good and bad points. The thing that would make e stay away form the Pioneer is those ICs in the power amp. They look to be in position to be damaged if the outputs go shorted. They are probably unobtainium.

So really, those are the facts. Nobody can really just make a firm recommendation on something like this. If phono is important to you, the Pioneer being MC capable indicates it probably has less noise and will be quieter on a MM cartridge. But the Sansui has two phono inputs.

In the end it is your call, all we can do is give you the facts.
 
I have had a A-717 since new which is similar and thought the same about the IC's until I found out they are for the auto bias design it has. They are available and anyway I haven't had any problems with the amp in the over 25 years I've had it.
 
Yeh.

He is talking about an A-757 though.

I think the AU-717 Sansui has a better output circuit. But the Pioneer has a few things gong for it as well, especially the MC capability.
 
Well, I finally choose the Sansui AU717, im very impressed with the looking, building quality and sound of this classic, as they said: "Now im seduced by the dará side"
Thanks again about the replies!
Vinicius
 
My buddy sold his AU-717, deciding in favor of the AU-9500. Really, with the totally split power supply and true dual monoblock design, the 717 really is something. But he had the matching tuner for the 9500, plus it has a few neato features. Like selectable turnovers on the tone contorols for example. I think a better control set. The 9500 is of more regualar design, not dual monoblock. Still hefty for its power rating.

But I did have a chance to hear the 717 on my speakers, and it was good. On that particular unit I got tripped up because someone had jumped out the phono preamp to make more line level inputs. It was all together and then he connected a turntable.

The modification was really well done, it really looked like the factory did it. And the fact that the whole thing is shielded meant that I had no clue. Really, when you fix an amp, it has a clear cut problem and you say "Yo it works now", I guess the thing to do is check it on a turntable. Believe it or not, at the time I did not have one ! I do now.

Anyway, I am not here to say if Pioneer or Sansui are better or worse. They are different. When you get to prices, well they both built some junk as well as very good stuff. I would say the monetary values are very close.

But see now that you went with the Sansui, the forum gods have to kick you out of the Pioneer forum. Not to worry, there is a Sansui forum.
 
I think that Sansui is to amps what Nakamichi was to cassette machines. There is just "something" that holds your attention, and it's different. I have a big Sansui, as well as a Pioneer A-717, which I believe is very similar to your 757 — if not the same amp that was built for export.

Currently, I am using the power section on the Sansui, but I believe this is because the A-717 just has too many hours on too many parts. I know someone who wants to buy it, but I cannot let it go! Someday I will just have to rebuild it. As it is right now, the lower frequencies are swallowing the mids and highs. It is very tempting to rebuild:

The layout is very tidy and straightforward looking, whereas just pulling the hood off my Sansui scares the hell outa me — but it is a newer unit than yours — the Alpha series 707.

(So much to do ... so little time :)
 
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