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Sansui vs McIntosh

dbrown

dbrown

New Member
Hello,

I have an unusual request by a friend to help build them build a stereo. I believe they want to spend somewhere around $500-$1k on a receiver and about the same on speakers.

I have recommended a cherry 555a (thinking around $500-$600 rebuilt) or a cherry 8080db or 9090db (I considered the G line, but I am not sure she will dig the looks of it. Same withe the eight).

Has anyone ever compared the Sansui against a lower end ($1000 or less) solid state McIntosh? Is it worth pushing her to drop a bit more money to go that way?
 
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Good to hear Rob. I see that you have the AU888. Are there major differences with the 555, 666, 777, and 888 beyond power? Should I be pushing her into something with more power? I have been happy with lower power amps, but wonder if I am missing out.
 
Generally speaking, the smaller the speakers, the bigger amp is needed.

When you go high in sensitivity (with bigger speakers that request small watts to sing), you can go more simple and small in electronics.

Look to the specs of speakers for **dB / 1Watt / 1Meter

Or at 8 ohms **dB / 2.83V (= 1 watt) / 1 Meter

(2.83V @ 8 ohms = 1 watt)

Below 89dB is lowish

Beyond 96dB is high.
 
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My 2 cents

I freaking love my 8080 and my 7070. Good clean power. I have mine hooked up to a pair of Klipsch Fortes and I love how they sound. I'm thinking 3-500 for the 8080 and 3-500 for the Fortes.
 
I would stay away from an 8080DB or 9090DB unless you are prepared to get the thing rebuilt completely

my 8080DB has been in/out of the shop a few times, and there are still problems popping up. too many things on these that have longevity/design issues IMO

also consider the AU 6600, 7700, 7900 and their respective tuners
 
dbrown said:
I see that you have the AU888. Are there major differences with the 555, 666, 777, and 888 beyond power? Should I be pushing her into something with more power? I have been happy with lower power amps, but wonder if I am missing out.
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Well, that's an interesting question. I have had an AU-555, AU-555a, and the AU-888. I have not owned the others, but rebuilt an AU-666, and have an AU-999 here right now.
My AU-555a was re-capped and had some transistors replaced. I only got rid of it because I acquired the AU-888. The AU-888 and TU-888 are the only pair in the series that are the same width.
They are also, IMO, the best looking set of the series.

My AU-888 is 100% original. I never did compare the AU-888 to any of the others, so I can't really answer your question. I do know that I preferred the AU-555a over the AU-555, sound wise.
And obviously looks wise.

They probably don't need power than those you mentioned, unless their speakers are not very efficient or they have a large space.

You could also look for a 7070, 8080, or 9090. Only the 9090 will have a real wood case, unless someone re-veneered or replaced the case on the 7070 or 8080.

The Eight is nice. The Eight Deluxe is nice, but hard to find. Then there's the 5500. Not G-5500, just 5500.

If the G series look is acceptable, the G-6000, G-7000, G-8000, and G-9000 are all fine receivers.

Rob
 
This is incredibly helpful. I almost picked up an Eight Deluxe based on this conversation, but let it go. It was about $600 shipped and I am now seeing that that was a pretty good deal given the condition.

mroboto - that was really helpful. Not sure I totally get those formulas, but it is great to know formulas exist for this sort of thing - going to do some research!

I picked up a AU-101 to see how I like that series and am running it through my Celestion Ditton speakers. I must say that I miss my 661 in this comparison, but I think it is a bit of apples and oranges.

Will let you know where I land!
 
bolero said:
I would stay away from an 8080DB or 9090DB unless you are prepared to get the thing rebuilt completely

my 8080DB has been in/out of the shop a few times, and there are still problems popping up. too many things on these that have longevity/design issues IMO

also consider the AU 6600, 7700, 7900 and their respective tuners
Click to expand...

I agree with this statement...I have a 9090DB that I finally had totally rebuilt this year after having it and out of the shop for a variety of fixes over the years. It is once again a great sounding (and looking) receiver.
 
mroboto - that was really helpful. Not sure I totally get those formulas, but it is great to know formulas exist for this sort of thing - going to do some research!
Click to expand...

And remember that each time speakers sensitivity is higher from a range of 3dB, ex: 92dB vs 89dB, the sound pressure is twice higher using one watt listening at one meter of distance with the 92dB speaker than the other 89dB.
 
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Am fixing up an MC2505 soon with intention of comparing to my sansui gear...

That is meant to be one of the warmer Mcintosh so I thought it might be a good starting point.
 
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MER71 said:
:lurk: Eagerly waiting for the shootout!!
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Will try to remember to post here too but keep an eye on this thread just in case. Just have to get around to rebuilding the driver boards (I bought it with one channel down... driver board is completely blown out so I will restuff both sides).
 
While I think this topic is posted in the Sansui forum and asking for a comparison, decisions have been made already by the OP and comments will be slanted in favor of a Sansui unit.

I know this though, a lot of previous Sansui owners that want better sound and build quality end up owning Mac gear.
 
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