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What modern integrated Amp will outperform...

ghamilton said:
But would they be an improvement?
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I think it comes down to what you would consider to be an improvement. Or, to put it a little differently, a preferred sound.

I prefer the sound of my B&K mosfet with my KEF 104/2's. Although 919 is more detailed, the B&K provides a richness and fullness that the Sansui doesn't. Not knocking the Sansui at all, as it's amazing with other speakers I have.

Is there something out there that would provide a more enjoyable listening experience with the Vandersteen's? :dunno:

Anyone local you could borrow any decent amp from (using the 919 pre), just to hear the differences?
 
ghamilton said:
What modern integrated amp will outperform a recapped Sansui AU-919?
I have a new pair of Vandersteen model 2Ce Sig lll.
The 919 is doing a great job pushing them in my 12 x 14 x 9 listening room.
The guys over in the Sansui section are warning me to not get rid of my 919. Ok, I will keep it. But what modern integrated would be a clear step up?
Luxman perhaps? Or Accuphase? Or Pass? Or whatever?
Thanks guys!
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Ill tell you a story.
There is a guy on other forum who has sansui alpha and who is bragging that his sansui is Better than other "lesser" brands, Better than modern amps. So friend of mine (who has Low end Less than 1000 USD price modern amp) went to this sansui fan to listen to his Best sansui. Afterward he wrote that this sansui alpha isnt worth its high price,that cheaper accuphase (also sansui fan had one) sounded better. He listened also to more expensive sansui separates (today price is approx 5000usd) and he wrote it sounded even worse.

And my friend had Low end modern amp. If this sansui alpha was the best hi end out there he wouldve throw his Low end amp through Window Afterward. It didnt happen

So people may love sansui and listen it that but No Way it is Best gear out there. Its Just another normal brand
 
DeadRock said:
Accuphase...

Accuphase Laboratory, Inc.　E-380
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Yes. Accuphase is certainly a good choice - mine is a model E-560, 2x30W pure class A, with AD-50 phono and DAC-50 converter extension cards :

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upload_2023-5-21_13-1-2.png

T
 
@ghamilton In terms of performance I imagine there are probably a few new modern integrated amps could match the AU-919.... but nowhere near in terms of build quality, look/feel, and general enjoyment. Kind of jealous of what you have there :) What are your thoughts on buying Japan direct with step down xformer vs. US direct? Have been considering a new Lux purchase myself, curious.
 
lico said:
What are your thoughts on buying Japan direct with step down xformer vs. US direct? Have been considering a new Lux purchase myself, curious.
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If you do that in France, don't expect ANY form of help of any kind - even the tiniest - from the French importer... If it has not been sold in France. These are people you should contact only when you need nothing.

Think typically Hamy Sound, the Accuphase French Importer, that told me to contact the foreing importer, but refused to give me the country of provenance of my 2nd Hand E-560 by its S/N° (a 240V EU model), in order to contact the matching importer - just to have the missing documentation... in English !

These ugly importers are not alone here, but they start to disappear, brands finally realizing the loss of profit they realize through them !

T
 
lico said:
@ghamilton In terms of performance I imagine there are probably a few new modern integrated amps could match the AU-919.... but nowhere near in terms of build quality, look/feel, and general enjoyment. Kind of jealous of what you have there :) What are your thoughts on buying Japan direct with step down xformer vs. US direct? Have been considering a new Lux purchase myself, curious.
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You should buy products that are sold ONLY in your country with correct voltage for your area and wananty support.
I considered Accuphase but no US dealer or voltage (115 V).
 
ghamilton said:
You should buy products that are sold ONLY in your country with correct voltage for your area and wananty support.
I considered Accuphase but no US dealer or voltage (115 V).
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Thank you for the input. Warranty of course is an issue if a problem is encountered. Adding a step down xformer not too hard though, considering prices on some of this gear is 30-50% more going with a a US model vs. direct. Roll the dice on that I guess. Love the look of the Accuphase lineup too with black meters, but their champagne finish not so much. That and having to buy and add-on option board for phono...
 
tubelectron said:
If you do that in France, don't expect ANY form of help of any kind - even the tiniest - from the French importer... If it has not been sold in France. These are people you should contact only when you need nothing.

Think typically Hamy Sound, the Accuphase French Importer, that told me to contact the foreing importer, but refused to give me the country of provenance of my 2nd Hand E-560 by its S/N° (a 240V EU model), in order to contact the matching importer - just to have the missing documentation... in English !

These ugly importers are not alone here, but they start to disappear, brands finally realizing the loss of profit they realize through them !

T
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Good to know about France!
 
The L507Z is an incredible sounding amp. I heard one at a show this winter. The older L509X is also a fantastic Luxman.

In 2019, I was about to pull the trigger on the then-current L-507uXII which was their second-from-top class AB integrated. I decided to buy the Yamaha A-S2100, like the one pictured upstream in this thread, and pocketed a fair bit of money in the process (it cost thousands less).

My next move will likely be a class-A Accuphase, when the time is right.

Any of the units mentioned in this thread will easily beat an old amp in terms of SNR, even if you fully restore one of the vintage amps.

This is my business; I repair/restore all sorts of gear daily. The vintage stuff is loaded with charm and can sound fantastic (tuners especially--hard to top) but they're also a compromise in terms of dated opamps, hard to source discretes, long signal paths, and awful passive parts.

My point--at a bare minimum, you're going to need to replace the cringey VRs on any vintage piece of gear, and go through all signal paths to weed out out of spec capacitors and resistors.

Don't forget the relay(s) if present--cleaning and burnishing is not enough. It is best to replace them.
 
lico said:
@ghamilton In terms of performance I imagine there are probably a few new modern integrated amps could match the AU-919.... but nowhere near in terms of build quality, look/feel, and general enjoyment. Kind of jealous of what you have there :) What are your thoughts on buying Japan direct with step down xformer vs. US direct? Have been considering a new Lux purchase myself, curious.
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You need to take a closer look at the Luxman build!;)
 
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