"I dont play music loudly at all and not for long periods." Based on that statement: don't sweat it! Most SS amplifiers don't have a problem with lower impedances, but will increase output, as long as things don't get crazy. If they do get crazy (ie: impedances too low/too much power requested): things can heat up quickly. "Aria specs state they have a nominal impedance of 8ohm but a minimum low of 2.8ohm. That min. low impedance is confusing." Any driver with a voice coil moving within a magnetic gap, can exhibit some pretty wide variations in it's impedance curve, as opposed to it's nominal value (ie: 4 or 8 Ohm, during operation, due to things like back EMF, enclosure resonances/design and frequency. At a driver's lowest frequencies, it will usually also exhibit it's lowest impedances. https://audiojudgement.com/speaker-impedance-curve-explained/
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ps: Given the Aria 936's sensitivity of 92dB/2.83V/1M: driving them with the 881's 60 Watts, at your described levels, in that size room, would be easy.
With the G-9000's 160 Watts, you could drive them crazy, as well as any neighbors!
That is: IF (note: that's a big one) all the electrolytic capacitors in those pieces have been replaced and/or are up to full spec.
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Hey Trent,
I have a bit of experience with Focals and their impedance curve.
The issue is one of nuance. Yes, this receiver would play these speakers. It may also not put out as much where the impedance is lowest. You'll here that range depressed compared to say a beefy monoblock. That may work for you in your room or it may make the speakers lack bottom end punch.
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JBL Monitors. I had about a dozen Sansui's and they performed amazing with them.
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Rodman9999: Thank you for your input and the attached link. I mentioned the Focal Aria for a specific reason. A friend that I played tennis with has a client who recently acquired two brand new pair of Flr speakers as part of an estate sale, one of them being the Focal Aria 936. I dont know what the other brand is. He said that he has no use for them so she asked me if I wanted both pair of speakers. Neither of us heard of that brand but someone informed me that Focals considered an excellent brand in Europe and sent me a link so I can get a sense of their worth. It would be ashame if they were not suited for the receiver. I never had a Sansui classic receiver but have heard on of the models a few years make. |
erik: Thank you for your knowledge and experience with the Focals. I understand what you are saying about them not receiving enough weight in the bottom end of sound. I will be picking up the Focal and the other set of speakers and give them a try. I wont be able to pick them up until after the July 4th weekend as my friend's client is out of town and he wont be back util then. In the meantime, as rica_award mentioned, I can take a look at his suggestion of the JBL Monitors at a local audio store in NYC.I am still hopeful abut the Focals, since it would be a pity not to get the most out of them. |
rodman9999: I was told by that all the capacitors in both models were were checked and replaced by an experienced tech. Lets see how it works out. |
I think the JBLs or perhaps Klipsch Heresys are probably a really nice options to consider.
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"...I am still hopeful abut the Focals, since it would be a pity not to get the most out of them..."
I understand why people like vintage receivers, that is how most of us started in my day. BUT, they are on the lowest rung of capable audio equipment. That is not to say you can't have an enjoyable system with them. Give it a try, if it plays OK and doesn't blow up, that is the best you will get, enjoy. |
Thumbs down to the JBL's and Klipsch Heresy! The Focal's are far more accurate top to bottom! Plus being floor-standers they don't need stands! Your Sansui receivers will work well with the Focal's! |
Regarding Sansui receivers, I have three in my collection. Your's will be good for several more decades use! |
@trent77-
If that's true, regarding the caps; the G-9000 and Focals should light up your life, if: (as Russ mentioned) you're not REAL picky!
Especially: if the price is right.
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JBL43 series(11, 12, 14...) will do perfect match. |
Classic speakers still around that work great off old receivers: Ohm Walsh. |
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This is a dumb thread. A great amp can power great speakers. Any great speakers. Any Classic speakers.
The Sansui’s are not great amps, though. |
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge about speakers, receivers. I will try to demo a few models that were mentioned here when I get the chance. And when I pick up the speakers that were left for me, I will be able to get a better perspective. I agree, everyone's music ear is different and higher priced doesn't always translate into better sound if the recipient cant distinguish one speaker from another. Since the receivers are older, my primary concern was if modern speakers would overwork them or fail to delivery the appropriate sound. I see by the various opinions, there are no definite answers. Thank you again for all your assistance. |
The 881 was a fine receiver for its era. I'm not so familiar with the later G-9000. My gut says the 881 will be more refined and somewhat lighter in the low end...the G-9000 was the successor to the very popular 9090, I think. Both are going to make the Focal 936 sound as good as they are, by which I mean as good as the recapping will allow. Depends on the parts used...these amps may be better than when they were originally produced, given the low ESR electrolytics and low loss poly-film caps available today. Take the Focals and enjoy! |
@trent77-
"Take the Focals and enjoy!" +1
Back in the day: Sansui did many more things correctly (regarding sound quality), than almost all of the Mid-FI stuff out there, outside of *somewhat harsh highs.
Take those Focals home and listen to them, with your favorite music, for at least a couple weeks, before doing any other auditioning.
Outside of the OHMs, I can virtually guarantee; what has been recommended *will fatigue your ears, in short order.
If you're still planning on auditioning those other speakers, afterward: don't bother, unless they can be listened to with YOUR OWN source(s) and receivers, in your own listening room.
Otherwise: you won't have a clue, as to their performance at home.
Enjoy the journey!
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By all means, jump on those Focal Aria 936 if they're free! Those are $5,500 a pair speakers! You'd be out of your gourd to pass up a deal like that! I spent around 3 hours of serious seat-time with a pair of those speakers powered by a McIntosh MA5200 and a Luxman (can't remember model number) and they sounded outstanding! Either of your vintage Sansui receivers can easily power those but I would go with the G9000 because of the additional power & juice. I still have a vintage Sansui receiver I purchased in 1972. As for wolfie's "
The Sansui’s are not great amps, though." remark, he either has never heard one in good shape or he needs an audiological evaluation. Go for it! |
Grab these up.
Don’t know what the deal is, but these sell new for around $2700 each, and I see some “open box” as low as $2400 each.
Happy for your good fortune!
92dB sensitivity is on the high side, and if you don’t drive your amp into clipping, will sound quite good. If clipping, you will hear it as strain/grain, and if pressed further can damage speakers.
These will sound stunning with current gear, but will begin your journey to higher-end amplification. It’s a grande journey.
Consider a nice self-powered subwoofer like a Rel T/x series to ger the really low bass.
The Focals are on my very short list to replace my mid-80s Kef Reference 103/3, and that will be hard for me. |
"...I would go with the G9000 because of the additional power & juice."
+1
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Hello,
It sounds like it will push the Focal’s just fine. Typically older stuff had two sets of speaker posts. Even if the Focal’s dip down to 4 ohms you will be fine. I would not bi-amp off the Sansui. Stick with one set of speaker posts and use jumpers on the speakers if you need them. Due to the deal your getting its worth it. Later you can upgrade the amp to get better headroom and sound stage. You might be able to add an amp to the Sansui and then add a better preamp like a Rogue tube preamp with a SS amp. Go for it. Speakers make a huge difference in your system. |
Sansui made some great stuff! +1 for the G-9000 because of the extra power. Won't have a problem driving 4 ohms. |
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The Focals are a top shelf line. Fantastic potential. I'm sure either Sansui will drive the impedance load just fine, but am less certain that either will get the utmost from their resolution potential. The Focals are next level good and worthy of some serious front end gear at some point. Regardless, this is a nice starting point, so by all means hook them up and enjoy. |
I agree, all the information and tech knowledge is hard to digest all at once. I was also thinking about the many factors involved in listening to speakers in a showroom stetting as opposed to one's own home. Although you can get an idea of a speaker's sound, it can also be greatly misleading. There are many factors involved, design of the room the speakers are demonstrated, the receiver involved, potential music a salesperson presents (if you dont bring your own) that benefits a speakers strong points and hides it design weaknesses, etc... I have a feeling many people find that the sound they heard in the store becomes significantly different once the speakers are played at home. |
I appreciate all the help from the members on this site. |
It's just fun helping others have some fun, without spinning their wheels!
If that's sappy, so what!
Enjoy the journey! |
Sansui equipment looks like retired former world champ. They made great receivers, turntables and amps that do a great job when restored. Saying that they're not great amps is pretty much blunt or biased. |
That minimum impedance will be a problem for most vintage receivers as well as most power amplifiers i would choose a good or great vintage speaker to go with your vintage amp you will get much better sound than a new speaker for a lot less money.
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speakermaster: Thank you for your suggestion, When I pick up both sets of speakers next week, I will try them out for a couple of weeks to see how they sound with either Sanusi model. Hopefully they will be a good match. |
