pioneer sx-1250 versus Sansui 9090db versus Marantz 2325

[Wade Kuzen]

1] 2325
2] 9090db
3] 1250

 

[Blue Shadow]

Will post my results after l try it. I am using B&W 683 S2 speakers. They sound pretty nice.

Any progress listening to these units?

I had a partially recapped 9090DB that sounded nice with Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers. Haven't had a big Marantz and haven't used my SX-5580 (SX-1050 in a Tuxedo) with those speakers yet. The 9090 didn't come close to the ability of the McCormack DNA-1 power amp which has about 330 at 4Ω compared to the significantly less power of the Sansui.

 

[Wade Kuzen]

I listen mainly to my Marantz 2325. The 9090db needed service AGAIN due to the dolby boards, so I got rid of it. Caused me a lot of problems over the years I owned it. I never owned a Pioneer 1250, but did listen more than once at a friends house. The Marantz never caused me any problems since new, and i had it totally recapped about 10 years ago. Still going strong. I prefer the sound to any of the other mentioned units. My other friend wants to sell his Sansui 9090 which needs a recap. I have an Aragon 4004 mk2 which I run with a pair of Magnepan mg3.6 speakers and they sound wonderful with the 400 wpc @ 4ohms. I don't think I would ever run them on a receiver. I attached pictures of the Marantz set up and the Aragon.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I have an Aragon 4004 mk2 which I run with a pair of Magnepan mg3.6 speakers and they sound wonderful with the 400 wpc @ 4ohms. I don't think I would ever run them on a receiver.

I tested the 9090DB on the MG-IIIa and that amp got hot all the way across the extended heatsink...there is an additional heatsink covering the one the transistors were attached to. I did this to test the reseating/regreasing of the outputs. Not something I would do all the time. The Aragon would be a good few steps up from the receiver.

 

[Sam Burden]

Any progress listening to these units?

I had a partially recapped 9090DB that sounded nice with Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers. Haven't had a big Marantz and haven't used my SX-5580 (SX-1050 in a Tuxedo) with those speakers yet. The 9090 didn't come close to the ability of the McCormack DNA-1 power amp which has about 330 at 4Ω compared to the significantly less power of the Sansui.

I like them all. They all seem fairly close. The only thing l don't like about the Pioneer is not having a mid tone control but solved that by using an eq. The B & Ws are bright sounding but l have a pair of JBL L150s that l like the increased bass on.