That's a shame IMO, one of the big differences between the normal Sansui integrated amps and the MOS models is the bass performance. The MOS models are so solid in their bottom end performance that they make the standard ones sound a little anemic.
What would be the 'best' Sansui amplifier for sound quality?
- Thread starter RR--
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And a dedicated sub destroys them both anyway so it doesn't matter
I did at least get the MOS difference in mid-bass, so that's something.
And a dedicated sub destroys them both anyway so it doesn't matter
I did at least get the MOS difference in mid-bass, so that's something.
The unique to the reviewer speaker synergy can't be underestimated when it comes to these amplifier listening comparisons.
A friend was just at AXPONA and said one of his favorite rooms was a stereo setup with (2) LRS+ and (2) small REL subs. As you likely know already, Maggies are very fast, and apparently hard to match with subs. Sounds like this LRS+/REL marriage worked really well. Something I have been thinking about. I like my big Maggies, but they do not have the full presentation some of my other speakers have. But the Maggie mid and high realism is unsurpassed. A proper Maggie + Sub(s) union may just be perfection.
Not sure if you have listened to Zu Audio speakers, but the full range driver with no or little electronics deliver the most uncolored and "authentic" presentation of Sansui Sound I've heard. Zu are my reference speakers when testing and listening to different Sansui gear. Zu are the most honest.
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Yeah, I very highly recommend maggies + subs. Specifically Rythmik subs since they're servo driven and better controlled. The RELs are good, but Rythmik is better. I'm not surprised it was one of his favorite rooms in the entire show, it's the best setup I've heard personally. And if you want to go overboard, GR Research makes double and triple open baffle kits based on the driver and amps in the Rythmik subs. That's best but you need a lot more drivers to match the impact of a single sealed enclosure.
FWIW I have the 07 Anniversary and the 907 NRA downstairs with my Infinity Ren 90s, the 907 MR, Limited (MOSFET), and other Sansuis upstairs including some tube amps on Yamaha NS1000s, and no desire to move any of these again for comparison. Of the Alphas in situ my ranking is Anniversary and Limited roughly the same followed by NRA and MR With no particular preference between the last two. These are individual preferences which I don’t want to pursue analytically. I could be happy with any Alpha including the X 901. My favorite Sansui is the B-209 with my C-2301 preamp. I also have the AU-111G. The B-209 combination on the Yamahas are my favorite. This is probably power of suggestion based on rarity. I am 76 years old, collected these when I was over a decade younger wanting to compare the sound quality and evolution of the Sansuis over time. Vanity of vanities. My everyday listening is with a rebuilt AU-919 with slow output transistor substitutes (I do have proper replacements but lack initiative to have these replaced) hooked up to Boston Acoustic VR-M90s in the dining room and my first decent speakers bought over 50 years ago Dynaco A-25s in the living room and this sounds fine too. My X-901 and X911 DG were used here earlier but need repair and I have no one locally to take these to. I admit that at my age that I am hearing impaired but I really don’t think that there is any vast difference in sound quality between any of the late Sansui models. Just pick one and enjoy the music. I state, semi-facetiously, that, aside from the tube amps, the best way to judge these is by weight. I am a philistine.
Cheers.
Marc
Cheers.
Marc
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@gammi are you still around? Can you outline how you connected the sub to your rig? Some LRS+ are in my future (sold my big Maggies) and as much as my traditional 2.0 sensibilities are offended by a 2.1 system, I do know that the Maggies are a bit empty on the low end and can starve some music of it's potential.
Or anyone else running a 2 channel Alpha with a sub.
CrSens
Super Member
I use a headphone output for sub RCA inputs. Au-X911DG.
Brilliant. I actually just found his setup up back in the thread - he pulled RCA's off of his DAC. Using the headphone jack would allow any input to be used, and maybe even some Sansui DNA to be passed on to the amp in the sub.
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pete_mac
Super Member
Now that's a GREAT idea! Never thought of that.
Alpha Sansui's don't like having their floating speaker outputs connected to speaker-level inputs on subwoofers (if available! If I'm interpreting the schematic properly, it appears that the headphone out deals with that issue perfectly as the floating signal grounds from the left and right channels are tied together after the signal passes through a pair of isolating transformers, providing a common ground and a left and right channel output to the headphone socket.
coralsea
Member
Don't trust =used audio= sellers, their main purpose-is to sell you smth. from their music stuff-))))
I am familiar with the person on video.
There is no BIG difference in sound between Au-07 Ann. model-907xr series.
They are almost identical inside. The Au-07 has just little more details from gold. The front panel-in the main difference-)
Fully restored AU-X1/11- will suit your ears just fine...
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pete_mac
Super Member
There is obviously no big difference between the schematics that you posted.
But, as the saying goes, the devil is in the detail.
Besides that, there are 2 things that happens in most cases: (1) judging by only looking at some specific area instead of the global/overall picture, and, (2) details that people usually overlook because, you know, they don't seem to have any importance/impact.
And there are some subtle differences, at least between some of those schematics. Indeed, small to the eye, but maybe not that small to what the ear is perceiving.
I will let people find those differences, for whom are willing to. Some of them were already mentioned by me in the past.
So, in other words - at least sometimes, there is more than meets the eye. And I'm referring here to the eyes looking just at the surface to measure the deep of the water in the lake.
But, as always - who knows, I may be wrong.
mozcho
Well-Known Member
I know Sansui made very good amps, buy I'm limitting myself to models that don't use ICs, I have AU-70 and AU-777. I'm not an electronics guys, so my knowlege is limitted. Lately I feel like wanting to try out some newer Sansuis. May I ask: what are the parts in Sansui amps that if broken, near impossible to find? And what models of amps that are affected?
DB-7
Super Member
I would say relays/switches, fets, and ouputs.
A good tech can usually custom fit modern replacements if its worth the cost to the owner.
A list of amps affected would be too long to post.
CrSens
Super Member
.
The Alpha headphone output is super clean sounding, I have no problem using it instead of a preamp if necessary.
That is probably some good advice, generally. Although stereo sales people need to make a living too. As always emptor caveat. That video was mostly interesting to me because it is the only AU-a907MR vs AU-70 Anniversary comparison I've seen or read.
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The phono section in the Alpha series 907 dr i have is excellent. It’s one of the best i’ve heard for mm so far.
I’m fortunate enough to own an export model BA-F1 unfortunately I had issues on one channel and have been running On-Semi for the right channel output. They have been surprisingly good. I was just lucky to have my patience pay off. Today I received a full one channel set still mounted in the heatsink I found on the bay. The seller has one more set available it anyone is interestedIndeed John... you've captured a few that I forgot about!
Come to think of it, there's also the BA-FA/CA-F1 (which I will have the pleasure of hearing soonish!), the B-2101/C2101 (and the 02 variants), and the B2301/C2301. The AU-G90X should also be included in any list of top-shelf Sansuis IMHO.
We could also list the various Japanese models, but given the need to muck around with step-down transformers etc, perhaps it is best to leave those out of the equation for now