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Marantz vs. Sansui

76.170.26.233
Posted on November 5, 2009 at 23:00:58
soundwave~
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Location: NYC - LA
Joined: November 25, 2006
 I'm considering getting a second system for my apt and wanted to go down the vintage SS route. I currently run a tubed Pilot 240 with some Bozak 302A's which yields a rich, warm sound. I would like my second system to exhibit many of the same sonic qualities.

After a bit of research I narrowed it down to early Marantz and Sansui solidstate integrateds. Of the two brands, which produces the most warm, mellow, laid back sound for early SS gear?

In particular, I'm looking at the Marantz 1030/1060/1090 series vs. the Sansui 222/555/777/999 series.

Any input from asylum members who have auditioned both series would be most appreciated.

Other suggestions would be helpful as well.

Thank you.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 8, 2009 at 06:51:39
dls123
Audiophile

Posts: 489
Location: Beautiful B.C.
Joined: April 15, 2003
 Hi
Can I ask a question? Why not get another tube setup? If you like the sound... There are a number of tube integrateds and receivers from the end of the main commercial tube era that are fabulous. The Sansui 1000a is a very good receiver - 7591 based. Very powerful when re-capped. Also, the Fishers and Sherwoods of that era are great. My 2 cents.....

Don

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 22:16:16
djgaloot
Audiophile

Posts: 99
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: September 8, 2004
 Well, you have a lot of responses but I'll throw mine into the ring. I have both and listen to them often. My 1060 is currently running a mediocre CD Player and nice Dynaco A-25-XLs. You can listen to it for hours on end and not get tired of it. It is relaxed and easy to listen to. My one complaint is that if you try to rock-out at louder volumes it gets muddy. This may be the speakers the amp (it has not been re-capped or anything) or the combo. But at regular listening levels it is magic. I have the Sansui AU-555 and TU-666 with a NAD CDP and Thorens TD160 Turntable. The speakers are Dynaco A-25s and Dynaco A-10s. This is my small office set-up and it works great. I use the A-10s as computer desk speakers about 3 feet from me and up on the wall at ear level. They are really quite amazing little speakers. The A-25's are used when I turn around and use the other side of the office. They are not ideally situated and do not offer much to brag about (in this set-up). The amp is clean, clear and warm. I also picked up the matching QS-1 synthesized quad unit but have not played with it as i need another amplifier to go with it. I have gone through many amps but both the 1060 and AU-555 are my keepers. I do wonder what they would sound like if they were "refreshed"
RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 19:42:44
smollett
Audiophile

Posts: 262
Location: Back East
Joined: May 23, 2003
 I'd suggest an alternative: a Fisher 800-T/500-TX Receiver. 65 wpc and a decent tuner, as well.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 18:14:24
Marc Bratton
Audiophile

Posts: 4578
Joined: June 15, 2000
 The Sansui AU 555 was my first 'real' integrated. Not even going to comment on the relative merits of sonics of gear that far back, except to say, whatever you get, the ancient capacitors are going to be (soon) leaky, and need replacement. Guaranteed. Probably not worth the hassle, unless you enjoy that sort of thing. If you do, the AU 7900 or 717 are good ones. I still have the matching TU 7900, going strong after 32 years straight, now. Go further back, to when Sansui was tubed, you'll probably be happier, considering what you're already listening to.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 18:12:25
Bold Eagle
Audiophile

Posts: 5467
Location: America's Heartland
Joined: May 27, 2001
 I'd seriously consider the capacitor coupled Pioneers. A Pioneer SX-626 sounds almost exactly like the Marantz 2230 (same amp as the 1060) and is every bit as well made. Later direct coupled pioneers had a different and brighter sound. Although the SX727 and 828 are direct coupled and quite similar in sound.

Jerry

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 12:52:16
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 Of the two alternatives, a good 1060 is hard to beat but in general the early Sansui is better sounding than most of the Marantz from that era. Given that, I'd offer up looking for a Sherwood S9500, S9600 or S9000 SS integrated amp and if you want a tuner, a matching S3300. The tuner and amp can be had in the under $100 range and with the usual capping as needed are really excellent. I am using the S9500c and a S3300 on the somewhat larger Bozak Symphonys and it is a match made in heaven synergy wise. I've not tried them with my 302s but, they can only sound better as the amp is a better match power wise.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 11:06:16
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 5944
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I have both a Marantz 1060 and an Sansui AU-222. Both of these amps have capcitor coupled outputs, so they both have tube like characteristics. Both will work best with tube era speakers due to the high output impedance of cap coupled amps. They look very different but I like the looks of both of them. I tend to think it is a toss up as to which will sound better to you. There are differences in the sound but its not that stiking (to me at least). The Sansui has 2 phono inmputs. The Marantz will have a higher resale value but the Sansui can be had for less money. I really think the either amp would do admirably in you desiered prupose.

Dave

I have or have had a 1060 & a 1090, posted on November 6, 2009 at 07:44:17
ToddM
Audiophile

Posts: 1099
Location: Atlanta, USA
Joined: May 15, 2001
 No recent experience with the Sansui (friends' parents had 'em back in the day), but I didn't really care for the 1060, (heresy, I know) - kinda tubby, bloat-y; the friend who got it loves it, though (he also listens to a lot of electronica and metal-type stuff)

I really like the 1090 - it's cleaner that the 1060, but still had "warmth" - however, when I did some PS and preamp (mainly in the phono section) recapping, it got a lot cleaner and lost some of the "warmth" but not frequency extension; this has been the result in more than one case, in more than one brand, so I suspect that some, if not a lot of the warmth that people hear is from over-the-hill capacitors (ps: the 1090 has a red LED power indicator, which sets it apart from other Marantzeses of the era, at least in one cosmetic detail - if that matters at all)

Yep, pretty typical...., posted on November 6, 2009 at 13:05:56
doodlebug
Audiophile

Posts: 1740
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Joined: July 27, 2006
 Todd, an excellent synopsis of the effects of recapping, IME. I've had similar experiences with Luxman, Harmon-Kardon and McIntosh SS and tube gear.

My take is that most folks who seek a 'tubey' sound in SS gear are actually listening to the old components inside. Once they're updated, it is easy to hear what the amps really are capable of and, more likely, what the designers intended.

Cheers,

David

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 06:59:41
tbcblues
Audiophile

Posts: 1194
Location: OKLAHOMA
Joined: May 22, 2002
 I would pick marantz over sansui in general because marantz has a better overall balanced sound, and is great in the low end. Sansui is probably a little better on the high end, but not by much. - If you have bozaks, I'd definitely go with marantz....I've tried that combo before and it's very good!

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 06:10:58
Tadlo
Audiophile

Posts: 1216
Location: midwest
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Definitely Marantz is warmer than Sansui in my experience, also warmer than Sherwood, Pioneer, Kenwood, Yamaha, and Onkyo, all of which I have owned. Harman Kardon and early 70's Sony are also on the warm side.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 6, 2009 at 04:39:03
brianss
 I would not exclude sherwood from your list- I recently picked up a 7100a for cheap, that produces a very warm tube like sound.

RE: Marantz vs. Sansui, posted on November 7, 2009 at 07:41:24
norwoodpond
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Joined: October 21, 2009
 I have a 1060,and love it. It definetly has that warm/tubey sound,especially when I team it with my KLH 23s. I have never owned Sansui before, but hope to soon.

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