Added a Schiit Freya+ to a Sansui 8080

The Sansui has a 0.2% TDH while the Schiit Freya+ runs much more clean at <0.01%

Is it safe to say that less TDH main contributing factor to what I am observing when I say I've lost warmth?

These discussions would fill up the pages of Stereo Review and High Fidelity magazines some 35/ 40 years ago.  The general consensus was that you most likely couldn't hear any real differences until you got to the 1% TDH level.  Viewed comparatively, portable players (tape, CD) were usually at the 10% TDH level and that was fairly audible.   

Vintage equipment sounded warmer in comparison to today's components.  Vintage components were just designed and built differently.  Also, vintage components were tuned for analog ... vinyl and tape and FM radio.  No digital in the mix.   Warmth was desired.  There were tone controls to modify the sound a bit if desired.  Then again, I remember the user guide for EPI 100 speakers that suggested listening without tone controls, so the user could hear the advantage of EPI's linear sound.  

The only current speakers that I have heard that sound close to vintage era speakers are the Wharfedale Dentons.  

Your Sansui 8080 was designed to operate as a unit.  I believe you will defeat its charms, by changing that around.  

Rich 

Hi wolf_garcia -

I have been around hi-fi literally for almost seven decades; my dad sold and repaired the stuff for a living, so I can't remember a time when stereos were not part of my life.  I was testing tubes for my dad when I was 5.  My statement that stereos back then were 'tuned for analog' means just that, there was only analog.  So yes, LPs, tape, and radio were the only things on the menu at the time.  There were no CDs, SACDs, Blu Ray audio, streaming, or HD anything.  

I don't think that you, myself, and the original poster disagree here.  We have all recognized that today's stereos sound different, with the nod being given to today's stuff as sounding more accurate.  There is a YouTube video out there with Paul McGowan (PSA fame) saying just that and to him, it's not even close.  

To some, the vintage sound is worth chasing, but to me that is nostalgia talking.  I started out with Philco & Voice of Music equipment.  Graduated to SONY and there must be at least a dozen or more brands that have made their appearance since then.  I chased vintage 22XX Marantz receivers at one point, but outside of FM radio, they didn't quite do it for me.  

One of my buddies had Sansui equipment that sounded nice, better than my SONY.  Another buddy moved up from a KLH compact to a McIntosh/ Bose 901 combo (his dad had a cash business), but truth be known, I liked the KLH better.  

And so it goes.  No reason to shade stereos from 40 and 50 years ago.  How and what I listen for has changed dramatically.  I think you would agree.

Rich 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iApp9vIQihs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIWGo2zCfY

@porchlight1 - Did I enjoy the EPI 100s?  I was thinking the same thing when I was answering this.  

I enjoyed them very much.  I had paired the EPIs with a Pioneer 3600 receiver and Dual 1229 TT.  The EPIs were my first good speakers that were sold as separates.

They did a good job with the music I listened to (rock, pop, country, vocals).

I ultimately only had them for about 8 years.  Separating from my ex looked like splitting up the stereo and I wound up with the Dual.  

My separation present to myself was a pair of KEF Q55s and Adcom separates.  I soured on the KEFs and was happy with EPOS 11s for a good while.  

I did go back to the New England sound with a pair of Acoustic Research 302s for about 10 years.  I am a big fan of Zu Audio Dirty Weekenders these days, as I feel the same level of excitement I felt with the older speakers I had.

Rich