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Sansui 9090db, Pioneer SX-1050 or Pioneer Spec 1 and Spec 2

M

Mwdan

Active Member
I have all four of the pieces and the SX-1050 doesn't work at all. The SX-1050 and Spec 2 only work on one channel. The Spec 1 seems to work OK or at least it did the last time I tried it. I want to sell two of them and use the funds to get the third one repaired.

I used the 9090db for quite a while and really liked it. I didn't use the SX-1050 for very long because it broke and remember it had good sound, but I can't really say how it compared to the Sansui. I bought the Spec system for a good price, and it's never fully functioned so I really can't say what I think of it.

My question is, would the Spec system sound better or a lot better than the other two. I'm fairly certain that getting it working would cost more than the other two because I'd eventually need to get the Spec 1 rebuilt. Which one would you choose to keep and why would you keep it.
 
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There will be the main sonic difference of Sansui vs Pioneer. Even if the Spec sounds a bit better than the SX, if the DB sounds better than the Pioneer units, which do you want to be stuck listening to?
 
It's been so long since I listened to the SX that I'm not sure exactly what it sounded like. If my memory is serving me correctly, I'd say that it was more forward sounding than the DB.
 
I think that might be right. I don’t recall what my 5580 (1050 in a tuxedo) sounds like but I do remember cranking a DB into my Magneplanar MG-IIIa speakers and thinking that is wholly adequate. Not my DB but I did a bit of work including refreshing the heat sink grease. Running it hard proved that was done right, even temp across all the outputs.
 
I had both a 9090DB and an SX-1050 at the same time. From memory, the 9090DB had a fuller, warmer sound. The SX-1050 sounded more like my AU-719.

If you like the warmer sound, stick with the 9090DB, but if you like it a bit brighter, pick a Pioneer.

I apologize to those that don’t like the descriptive terms I used.

Both sound good.

Rob
 
The only argument I can make against the 9090DB is the effort involved in a proper full restoration, and that's pretty well obligatory at this point, given their age. I thoroughly enjoy the sound and the aesthetics of the 9090DB. The only Pioneer I own that kind of scratches that same itch is the SX-828. I've personally never been all that enamored of the SX-n50 lineup, but I realize I'm swimming against the current in saying that. The SPEC gear is excellent when in good nick (though again, the signature sound isn't exactly my favorite), and has very high collectibility FWIW.
 
I did like the 9090DB sound, and I do realize that it could be the dolby board or switch. If it is the board, it may be more expensive to fix than the other two. I did change some fused resistors out, but I don't think I'd trust myself to do a complete rebuild.

I hate making decisions like this because I'm sure I'd like all of them. I may get with the tech and see which one he thinks would be the easiest to fix.
 
I think your wallet is going to take a pretty big beating no matter which way you decide to go. If it was me, I'd try to keep the Sansui and the Pioneer separates, but if I had to guess, the 1050 will probably be the cheapest to fix.
 
Sound being so subjective from person to person, my preference in your lineup is the spec1-4 ( I have not tried a spec 2) that's been correctly restore sounds slightly better than the 9090 that’s also been restored. The 1050 is very similar to the spec set in my book as sound goes.
My main everyday shop system is the pioneer spec rack, I do cycle the others around my work shop system. Granted, I restored all my units.
 
Vince1966 said:
Sound being so subjective from person to person, my preference in your lineup is the spec1-4 ( I have not tried a spec 2) that's been correctly restore sounds slightly better than the 9090 that’s also been restored. The 1050 is very similar to the spec set in my book as sound goes.
My main everyday shop system is the pioneer spec rack, I do cycle the others around my work shop system. Granted, I restored all my units.
Click to expand...

What about the Spec system do you like better than the SX-1050? Could you put a percentage of how much better the Spec system is when comparing the two? I know if someone asked me the same question about two different systems I would probably have a hard time explaining.
 
I would say my spec 1-4 is 20-30% better in sound than the 1050. Mainly to me the low end and presence. The spec is more neutral with a deeper sound stage where as the 1050 is warmer and heavier on the mids to me. They have both been recapped and reworked using Leestereo’s recipes and guidance. Hope that helps.
 
Mwdan said:
I have all four of the pieces and the SX-1050 doesn't work at all. The SX-1050 and Spec 2 only work on one channel. The Spec 1 seems to work OK or at least it did the last time I tried it. I want to sell two of them and use the funds to get the third one repaired.

I used the 9090db for quite a while and really liked it. I didn't use the SX-1050 for very long because it broke and remember it had good sound, but I can't really say how it compared to the Sansui. I bought the Spec system for a good price, and it's never fully functioned so I really can't say what I think of it.

My question is, would the Spec system sound better or a lot better than the other two. I'm fairly certain that getting it working would cost more than the other two because I'd eventually need to get the Spec 1 rebuilt. Which one would you choose to keep and why would you keep it.
Click to expand...

The 1050 will have a more sterile sound stage over the 9090, the 9090 is slightly warmer. The spec systems are somewhat clinical but not as sterile as the 1050. That said the 1050 used really good parts bank in the day. I’d say get the 1050 going and sale it and buy a nice tube amp.
 
The spec gear will have more flexibility, control and power vs the 1050. If they sound about the same the higher power would show up as ease to power the speakers, maybe a bit more bottom end and such. More inputs on the preamp, too.
 
I'd love to get all of them going and then make a decision on what to do but I'm sure that would cost a lot. Whatever I do I'd like to have something going by at least early next year. It's going to be hard to make a decision but I'm going to have to do it sooner or later.
 
Mwdan said:
I'm sure that would cost a lot.
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Time to break out the rainy day fund and do two of them, selling the one that doesn’t sound as good…for a profit then do the third one and repeat. Replace your rainy day fund with the profit and by music with what is left.

To sell for better money, get photos of the process and document the work. There are folks that pay for quality, properly restored gear from the three name brands.
 
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