SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Er, I beg to differ. The PA-7 is not one of the better sounding power amps and it lost to my Luxman R-117 in a comparo playing Vandersteen 2ce's...IMO.
What's the best receiver you ever heard?
- Thread starter Unshriven
- Start date
Er, I beg to differ. The PA-7 is not one of the better sounding power amps and it lost to my Luxman R-117 in a comparo playing Vandersteen 2ce's...IMO.
I like the ability to mix and match with separates, tailoring the sound however I want. I've had a lot of receivers where I didn't like the amp section, but like the preamp section, or I didn't like the preamp, but liked the amp, or the tuner was terrible..etc.
Also, the power in a monster receiver is easy to get in an average power amp. And I think they sound better.
But....receivers have a coolness about them and they look great. There is nothing else like them.
Freo-1
Well-Known Member
Either your ears are clogged, or, the PA-7 you listened to was malfunctioning. It's the same as a Threshold Stasis, so that means you are trashing a Nelson Pass design??? ( I think not). Try passing off your opinion on DIY audio, and expect them to eat your lunch.
Listen to a PA-7 restored, and one will get some of the best sound from solid state available. The Lux is a fine receiver (I've owned one), but the power supply and drive characteristics from the Lux is nowhere near the Nakamichi. You are the only one I've read on the various threads who trashes the Nak. The Lux would have difficulty with a speaker like a Legacy or Kappa.
As the Brits say, it's horses for courses.
This is like me saying "I like the color red" and somebody else saying "no you don't, you like blue". Audio is subjective. Haven't you ever hated something that conventional wisdom said you should love?
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SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Please restrict your comments to the gear. A much better way to express your opinion would be to say "I respectfully disagree". For the record, my ears are fine.
IMO, the PA-7's sonic shortcomings compared to the R-117 are very easy to demonstrate to someone with an open mind. After you have heard both and you still think the PA-7 wins, then that is the way your opinion shall be.
I am not shooting from the hip. I own a PA-7 and it works fine. In fact, it does not overheat, which is a huge problem with the Mk1's. Anyways, this is not a PA-7 thread so this tangent is ended.
Axcel
Accuphase all the way
Gots to be my Sx1250 close second the 9090
2DualsNotEnough
Addicted Member
Luxman R-117,without a doubt.Im sorry everyday that I got rid of that one.
Jimmy
Jimmy
Flammaster
DrumCorpsZappaFreak
I'm hearing a lot about these Sansui 9090's I want to try one out! They are beautiful too!
I like 'em all!
Ah, my favorite kind of post - the kind with absolutely no correct answer - just all opinion.
I must say that after reading the posts I am embarrassed that all of my rigs have made someone's list. The SX-1250 is wonderful, the KR-9600 (especially with the upgraded op amp in the FM) is a favorite, the SX-D7000 is not only a great piece but is an example of a design that was ahead of it's time (and thusly no doubt a failure in the marketplace).
But my current favorite is my recently acquired Sansui G-22000; sounds great, has plenty of oomph and is frankly :lmao: comically large :lmao:. It makes the other monster look small!
Bottom line of course is that there is a lot of great gear for us to choose from. Again - no wrong answers!
Ah, my favorite kind of post - the kind with absolutely no correct answer - just all opinion.
I must say that after reading the posts I am embarrassed that all of my rigs have made someone's list. The SX-1250 is wonderful, the KR-9600 (especially with the upgraded op amp in the FM) is a favorite, the SX-D7000 is not only a great piece but is an example of a design that was ahead of it's time (and thusly no doubt a failure in the marketplace).
But my current favorite is my recently acquired Sansui G-22000; sounds great, has plenty of oomph and is frankly :lmao: comically large :lmao:. It makes the other monster look small!
Bottom line of course is that there is a lot of great gear for us to choose from. Again - no wrong answers!
My favorites so far are the Pioneer SX-1250 for it's rich and beautiful tonality. It is a beautiful sounding beast that will make speakers sound better than they are. My other favorite is a Yamaha CR-1040.
The Yamaha is un-hyped and natural sounding while remaining pleasing to the ear. Acoustic instruments sound like acoustic instruments. While the Pioneer excels at Rock and Blues on electric instruments.
A dark horse would be the low powered Akai RR30. It is a very clear and musical little reciever.
There are some integrated amps that I own or have owned that exceed these models or at least match them too, but that is another thread.
There are many other receivers I like. I have a fondness for Sansui in general.
The Yamaha is un-hyped and natural sounding while remaining pleasing to the ear. Acoustic instruments sound like acoustic instruments. While the Pioneer excels at Rock and Blues on electric instruments.
A dark horse would be the low powered Akai RR30. It is a very clear and musical little reciever.
There are some integrated amps that I own or have owned that exceed these models or at least match them too, but that is another thread.
There are many other receivers I like. I have a fondness for Sansui in general.
libertycaps
Analogue "AAA" vinyl.
Of course it's the one in my sig line, silly! 
Well there are always deals out there, I got mine off of CL for about 1/3 of what you would expect an SX-1980 to go for.
And everything is rare until one just pops into your lap!
How's it sound? Well I am always at a loss to describe sound but I find the tuner very sensitive and have never turned it up past 12:30 on the volume. Usually I leave the 20db attenuation on to allow for more low volume resolution and to make it socially responsible. One day I'll venture into the db zone!
Did I mention how absurdly large this this is??
Freo-1
Well-Known Member
You are corret about sticking to the gear, so from now on, will do.
Your opinion on the PA-7 is not consistent with the general audiophle public, which is why I am pointing out to the OP that issue. This has been discussed on the Pass Labs site, and the take away is the Nak is essentialy the SAME as a Thrershold Stasis. Now if you don't like Stasis, that's your opinion, but it has no basis in engineering faacts whatsoever, nor does it have a whit to do with an open mind, so let's cut the condesending remarks, eh? I can also state with certainty that a restoration totally changes the presentation for the better, so perhaps you could consider that for your PA-7. The question was, do seperates souind better than a single receiver, and we disagree.
Now, as far as receivers go, take a Sony STR DA9000ES via i-link with rate control,such as a Pioneer Elite or Sony XA-9000ES, and one will get a level of performance that is stunning.
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