Sansui vs Pioneer

[Marko007]

I saw this thread and thought why not to write something here. Well I own both of them. Sansui BA/CA 2000 & TU9900 on one side of the room. And on the other side sits Pioneer Setup C3 and M4.
For me isn't difficult to decide. Acoustically I would always choose Pioneer - it is simply insane. Optically is Sansui light years away. That's my opinion.
There is something magical in this Pioneer C3&M4 combo. But Sansui has this signature sound.
Maybe I would choose Sansui over Pioneer that the imaging isn't so central. Soundstage that Pioneer builds is really very wide, deep and in the same time high. Such soundstage I have never heard. And I have heard dozens of vintage and new systems through the years.
Power consumption from Pioneer M4 is really high. And in this economic crisis time in Germany you can feel that on your wallet. Very sad but truth. Sansui is on all the day. But at evening I switch to Pioneer and than magic starts to happen.

Both setups are playing on Technics SB-E 100 with 5 different turntables and Bluesound streamer. And I'm more than super happy with all of them. Actually I cannot imagine to wish something more in the sound quality and presentation.

I hope that I might help to someone who is in decision making.

 

[Pioneer.user]

For me isn't difficult to decide. Acoustically I would always choose Pioneer - it is simply insane. Optically is Sansui light years away. That's my opinion.

You know some Looney guy once said that quote "there's sound quality gap between sansuis and the rest of brands in favor of sansui". But we know its not True completely

Pioneer made superb amps back in the Golden age of hifi. Pioneer Elite m90 top of the Line back in 80s got better reviews in japanese Stereo sound magazine, than sansui b2201, sansui b2301l etc

Also there are opinions that pioneer elite m90 sounds better than sansui alpha 907xr, alpha 907 i.
Pioneer a717 can rival sansui alpha 707 extra..
Pioneer a777 Also can rival sansui..
Pioneer a27 is better than sansui aux1.. https://www.mackern.de/2007/12/30/pioneer-a-27
Etc

So yeah pioneer was great.

 

[ra7c7er]

Both are great and I wouldn't pass on either but I prefer the Sansui sound.

 

[Flaneur]

My answer is YES!

I'm building up my all-Pioneer set up (excepting speakers); I currently only have a Pioneer SA-8500, but want to obtain a Pioneer TX-8500 (tuner) and Pioneer PL-41 (turntable) to complete my set.

I also only have one piece of Sansui (a T-60 tuner), but would like to get a matching Sansui AU-7700 amp and TU-7700 tuner. Plus a matching Sansui turntable of some sort.

I guess I just like to be matchy-matchy!

 

[spark1]

It's the the typical East Coast sound (Sansui) vs West Coast sound (Pioneer). 30 years ago I would have chosen Pioneer because it's clear and bright with assertive mids but now I prefer the more laid-back, warmer albeit less detailed sound sig of Sansui (or Kenwood).

I've never seen or heard anyone else characterize the sound of a Sansui amp as laid-back and less-detailed.

And certainly not reflective of my own experience.

 

[Flaneur]

I'm building up my all-Pioneer set up (excepting speakers)

Well...I've already made a minor change to my earlier declaration (see above quote). I am now, after watching a YT video (thanks, Just Audio!), wanting a pair of Pioneer speakers. Either a Pioneer HPM-40 or HPM-60 set. They seem rather sweet. (Although my Marantz Imperial 6's are pretty dang sweet too, and I got them cheap and love their sound, sooo...dangit)