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Vintage Amps - Pleasantly surprised

A while back, i was given a non-functional Sansui AU-666, which I recently had restored for sh*ts and giggles. Hooked it up to Rega Aras in my bedroom, using a computer source with a basic NuForce uDac.

Honestly, i was not expecting much out of this combo. However, I am blown away by the sound quality i'm getting out of this extremely modest setup. It shockingly possesses much of the desirable 'audiophile traits' one would typically hope for. I'm not saying it's perfect, but for a 40 year old piece, i'm utterly stunned.

And considering the entire setup cost less than 450 bucks, including stands (excluding computer, but which i had already), i could not have asked for more.

Anyone else with this kind of experience using vintage gear?
loose
hifiharv
351 posts
 
I get the same feelings with my Fisher tube stuff. I'm not so sure we have learned anything in the last 40 or 50 years.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
HiFiharv, I think your wrong, they have learned something in the past 50 years. What? How to take your money in the name of 'hi-end'
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I too have had this experience and I think part of it comes from not having too high an expectation that allows us to relax and simply evaluate what we perceive at face value. The problem with expensive gear sometimes is that we generate a preconceived expectation that a system must, somehow, sound good, and then we work hard to make it so, and expect it, to sound good. This creates tension and stress and, ultimately sometimes, diappointment when it doesn't quite deliver to that expectation.

Having said this I clearly remember my friend's modest Scott system back in high school through AR speakers that simply sounded killer. Dark Side Of The Moon had just been released and the sound was "completely transportive" through that tube system. And, to think, we drooled over the latest SX series of Pioneer receivers at a local HiFi shop with their blue glow!
corazon
210 posts
 
Reading what you guys have said about your older gear leaves me expectant and excited about the sound of my forthcoming vintage stereo. Some pieces are out for the once over and I just purchased a pair of AR 7 bookshelves.

I can't wait.

Best,

Dave
mitch2
3,967 posts
 
Dark Side Of The Moon had just been released and the sound was "completely transportive" through that tube system.
Steve, Thanks for the memories. I too have fond recollections of the systems my buddies and I owned (large Sansui receiver with Jensen triaxials for me) back in those days when expectations were more about the music and the good times, and less about the equipment. I also remember the sound benefiting from some "transportive" aids we had back then.
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