I found a post once on the Asylum where a guy was comparing a vintage Sansui AU-555A integrated from the '70's with a Cary SAE3 Dual Mono Block tube set-up.The Sansui ran the Cary close in A/B listening tests probably without power conditioning and even had better bass.The lesson I don't know,but it didn't seem hard to get to that level with an Integrated Amp that would maybe cost $1500 new today.The Sansui AU-717 or AU-919 are said to be the best of those amps with their tube-like quality.
Analog only system help
I am thinking about an analog only system. The CD will remain a part of the home theatre setup. But for really beloved music, I know even with my old Thorens TT analog is wonderous.
The speakers will be Sonus Faber Electra Amator II. According to others, the SF's love the right tube amplification. I have a Cary SLP-98p preamp that I may keep in this system or sell. It will only take MM input. I need to buy a new TT and amplification. My net incremental budget is about $4-5k, but that can change if there is compelling reason. I will probably buy used stuff. And I can do it in steps, if patience is required because the budget needs to grow. I am looking for the inflection point of cost/benefit.
The main thing I'd like to do is have as few boxes as possible, without trading off on sound quality - tt, integrated, speakers in a perfect world.
So, the questions are, can I get a used integrated for $4-5k than will equal Cary plus $2-3K into used amp? Are there any phono stages that have volume control so you can run directly into an amp?
I guess the question is: if you are only running analog, what's the way to load up on the pertinent functionality?
Many thanks.
The speakers will be Sonus Faber Electra Amator II. According to others, the SF's love the right tube amplification. I have a Cary SLP-98p preamp that I may keep in this system or sell. It will only take MM input. I need to buy a new TT and amplification. My net incremental budget is about $4-5k, but that can change if there is compelling reason. I will probably buy used stuff. And I can do it in steps, if patience is required because the budget needs to grow. I am looking for the inflection point of cost/benefit.
The main thing I'd like to do is have as few boxes as possible, without trading off on sound quality - tt, integrated, speakers in a perfect world.
So, the questions are, can I get a used integrated for $4-5k than will equal Cary plus $2-3K into used amp? Are there any phono stages that have volume control so you can run directly into an amp?
I guess the question is: if you are only running analog, what's the way to load up on the pertinent functionality?
Many thanks.