Sansui TU-717 vs TU-919
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fonon
Active Member
Go to http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html#TU-919. The answer is - yes.
Regards
Regards
I'd like to hear an answer from users, not from reviewers....
The answer (as already given) is 'yes' in my opinion. However, understand that the TU-919 is rare and owners who have both tuners and can therefore authoritatively give you an appraisal of both units are even rarer - even here.
Operationally one of the main differences between the two tuners is that the TU-919 has the quartz lock system. If you are a DX (distant stations) fan this may not be to your liking as it could prevent you from ignoring a strong station in preference to a faint station on a very closely adjacent channel.
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I have the 717 and I had no problem with drifting stations. The quartz lock is not a must in my situation. I'm not a DX-er....I personally like 717 more, but I'd sacrifice the better looking for a better sonic performance.
Besides this, anybody had any problem with the red digits on 919?
Besides this, anybody had any problem with the red digits on 919?
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I'd like to hear an answer from users, not from reviewers....
I own both, plus the TU9900. The 919 is a nice step up from the 717.
Still like the older 9900 though, it occupies the 3rd shelf in my main rack.
One of my 717s clicks on every morning along with another brand of pre and power at 5:30 am. Its still a nice tuner but not in same grouping as the 919 or the 9900. Have never owned or heard the TUX1, so can't offer any comments on it.
Having said all that, a good signal off a good antenna will still really help.
J
bluesky
Lunatic Member
Depends...
3 times price difference? ... It's a radio.
The TU-717 sounds 'outstanding' really!
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html#TU-919 - TOTL, trust them.
3 times price difference? ... It's a radio.
The TU-717 sounds 'outstanding' really!
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/shootouts.html#TU-919 - TOTL, trust them.
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pete_mac
Super Member
I'd like to hear an answer from users, not from reviewers....
Those guys ARE users... they don't form their opinions based upon specs or reputation - only back-to-back comparison and extensive experience. I wouldn't write-off the opinions expressed on that site. I've found them to be spot-on.
Re: the value quotient, it really depends how much money you are willing to spend to eek every last possible bit of performance out of your system. The difference is likely to be subtle, yet noticeable., especially given the nice amplification that you have there. Which speakers are you running?
The 717 is an excellent tuner - especially once restored and modded. This is another option at your disposal - find a good tech who can follow the upgrade formula shown on the fmtunerinfo site. I've applied these mods to a lesser AU-517 tuner and the results were great!
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The speakers are Proac D28. I found the sound of 717 very involving compared with the Pioneer below him. Before owning the Sansui, I found the Pioneer involving over a different entry level from Pioneer the 606 model.
Anyway, it looks the 919 that was available, was sold. SO I have to wait for another opportunity to buy one, to make a head to head comparison between the 2 candidates
Anyway, it looks the 919 that was available, was sold. SO I have to wait for another opportunity to buy one, to make a head to head comparison between the 2 candidates
The antenna I'm using now is a Magnum Dynalab ST-2. Good reception but I want better. So, I will DI myself a half dipole antenna, to see if I get a better reception on some stations. No matter which antenna or tuner I was using over the time or tuner, I found that sometimes,randomly, the signal was lower in strength. The sky was not cloudy or anything else... I culd not find an explanation for this
deltalight
AK Subscriber
I've done restorations w/upgrades to TU-9900, TU-717 and TU-919.
Sensitivity & Selectivity
The TU-9900 and TU-919 have two RF DGMOSFETS in the Front End whereas the TU-717 only has one, which BTW it typical for literally millions of sets. The extra RF amp acts as an active preamp and provides for the extra "edge" in sensitivity and selectivity. If you live near any major city hub, then a restored TU-717 with be plenty sensitive enough.
Sound & Musicality
If properly restored and upgraded, many Tuners and RF sections in receivers will change factory sound into a unit that really stands out. I just restored another SX-1050 and focused on upgrading the Tuner section and was rewarded with outstanding broadcast sound. The TU-717 can really stand-out but it's a lot of effort to get it there. Another factor that determines the sound is the output amp after the MPX stage. The TU-717 has a discrete buffer stage whereas the TU-919 (sadly) uses the uPC1190 which should never have been used and is an unobtanium IC. A re-design of the whole output amp assy is in the works, but punkerx has an upgrade.
Another favorite is the Pioneer TX-9500 II. After upgrades and restoration, I like the tuner sections in Marantz 2265B, 2285B, 2330B, even 2385B
It really gets down to:
where you live
what you listen too i.e. music, talk, DX, etc.
what antenna you may have
What your expectations are
If you're a regular listener, then the TU-717 would be a great tuner.
Sensitivity & Selectivity
The TU-9900 and TU-919 have two RF DGMOSFETS in the Front End whereas the TU-717 only has one, which BTW it typical for literally millions of sets. The extra RF amp acts as an active preamp and provides for the extra "edge" in sensitivity and selectivity. If you live near any major city hub, then a restored TU-717 with be plenty sensitive enough.
Sound & Musicality
If properly restored and upgraded, many Tuners and RF sections in receivers will change factory sound into a unit that really stands out. I just restored another SX-1050 and focused on upgrading the Tuner section and was rewarded with outstanding broadcast sound. The TU-717 can really stand-out but it's a lot of effort to get it there. Another factor that determines the sound is the output amp after the MPX stage. The TU-717 has a discrete buffer stage whereas the TU-919 (sadly) uses the uPC1190 which should never have been used and is an unobtanium IC. A re-design of the whole output amp assy is in the works, but punkerx has an upgrade.
Another favorite is the Pioneer TX-9500 II. After upgrades and restoration, I like the tuner sections in Marantz 2265B, 2285B, 2330B, even 2385B
It really gets down to:
where you live
what you listen too i.e. music, talk, DX, etc.
what antenna you may have
What your expectations are
If you're a regular listener, then the TU-717 would be a great tuner.
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Now that's a complete answer THANK YOU!
I live in the capital or Romania, Bucharest, I listem 100% music. We have plenty of stations but bad quality music. Only 2-3 stations with classical, jazz, rock, the ones I'm interested in. The antenna is on the roof, Magnum ST-2, very good reception.
Now, if I want to recap just the power supply section, is there an allignment needed after the recap?
THANK YOU! I live in the capital or Romania, Bucharest, I listem 100% music. We have plenty of stations but bad quality music. Only 2-3 stations with classical, jazz, rock, the ones I'm interested in. The antenna is on the roof, Magnum ST-2, very good reception.
Now, if I want to recap just the power supply section, is there an allignment needed after the recap?
Helios
Active Member
So I am glad to have found the pair, some years ago. Second owner here, Some years ago I recapped the AU-919 but did not touch (yet) the TU except cleaning the front-end tuner.
I cannot compare with the 717 though.
Edit: My bad, I thought the pair referred to tuner/amplifier. Just ignore my comment.
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Deltalight added some really good comments.
As to whether the 919 is worth more than 717, that is up to the individual, and market demand.
Don't forget, back in the day, these companies were throwing some serious engineering efforts at FM tuner design. Look at what Yamaha produced with the CT-7000, Sansui with the 9900, 919, Kenwood with the 600T and 917 among others. These were all out egnineering efforts with few cost restraints. Today, these super tuners new would be at multi kilobuck price points if they were offered new.
Both of my 717s have had the power supplies gone through, the audio section modified with better parts, and were recently aligned.
these changes alone will make the 717 sound much better than stock condition. Have you done that to your 717 yet, or is it in stock configuration?
I used to have a copy of each of the super tuners from all the manufacturers. Sold a few of them off to pay for other items I wanted.
When you compare super tuner to super tuner regardless of the name on the faceplate, they are all extremely good.
JOhn
deltalight
AK Subscriber
Now that's a complete answer
I live in the capital or Romania, Bucharest, I listem 100% music. We have plenty of stations but bad quality music. Only 2-3 stations with classical, jazz, rock, the ones I'm interested in. The antenna is on the roof, Magnum ST-2, very good reception.
Now, if I want to recap just the power supply section, is there an allignment needed after the recap?
For PSU recap, no re-alignment needed.
deltalight
AK Subscriber
John, I really agree with your comments. When I restore a Tuner, I spend a lot of time thinking through what the design team intended first, what the bean counters wouldn't let the design team do, and then perform restoration w/upgrades. It really grieves me to see countless feeble attempts at "re-capping the tuner board". Really bad.
And a slightly different take on the whole thing---
I feel some of the price difference is driven by collectors trying to create matched systems au717/tu717 vrs au919/tu919 rather than true fm listeners striving for maximum results. Having said that I would rather send my 717 out to an alignment specialist for a max effort upgrade, (although I do have the gear to do my own alignments) and enjoy the results rather than chase down a 919.
-Lee
I feel some of the price difference is driven by collectors trying to create matched systems au717/tu717 vrs au919/tu919 rather than true fm listeners striving for maximum results. Having said that I would rather send my 717 out to an alignment specialist for a max effort upgrade, (although I do have the gear to do my own alignments) and enjoy the results rather than chase down a 919.
-Lee
