Help With Vintage Purchase

Mike Patterson

Hi Fellow Polkies,
This is my first post. I bought a pair of Monitor 7s (1986) a couple of months ago and I've started to really enjoy music again. My old NAD 7120 receiver (20 w/c) has never sounded so good. I then found and purchased a really nice Pioneer SX-780 which has worked out well with the Monitor 7s.

But I need more power! I found a couple of integrated amps on the CL and I wonder if anyone can provide assistance picking out the best piece of equipment. Here's what I'm looking at
Yamaha A-720 (105 w/c) ($60) ("In nice shape")
Technics SU-V6X (100 w/c) ($65) ("Perfect condition in and out")

I would appreciate any "reviews" of the two amps.

Thx
Mike

mmadden28

I can't comment on either as I've never heard either of them, but Welcome to Club Polk Mike!

erniejade

the pioneer is a 45 watt per unit. The SX receivers you have, are a good sounding receiver. The Yammy tends to be a bit more thinner sounding in general but, I cannot comment on that model. The technics vs6, I have heard in the past and I do recall it was a good sounding integrated amp.

Not to be honest, I dont think going from the sx780 to either of those integrated amps are going to be a dramatic improvement. I think you are actually better off keeping what you have vs one of the 2 that you have picked out.

If you want to hear a dramatic improvement, you would have to step up a bit more. if you are talking just volume and not sound quality, i think you would only gain like 3 or 4 db in volume but, like i said before many of the pioneer sx receivers were good sounding units.

dorokusai

Why do you need more power? Just curious. The Pioneer SX series is a cool vintage choice and you're getting about as much as possible driving the MON7.

If I was going to choose between the two you mentioned....I'd pick the Technics based on the description. I like words like perfect, beautiful, mint, flawless, etc when it comes to vintage gear.

george daniel

Cannot comment on the amps,,but welcome to CP.

Mike Patterson

I am definitely going to hang on to my SX-780 and at least use it for its great FM reception. It does have a sweet, warm sound but the base is not tight and precise. My NAD is tight and precise but doesn't have the punch I'm looking for. Therefore I'm going for one of the amps mentioned above.

For me Yamaha has a great reputation but I know they produced some less than stellar equipment over years. I just need to decide if the A-720 is one of Yamaha's better efforts.

Technics may not have the best reputation as high end equipment but I am thinking the SU-V6X may be a jewel.

Of course I plan on giving both of these units a listen with some familiar music and my headphones.

Again thx for the input so far
Mike

doctor r

I started my audio experience with Monitor 7s and a NAD 3020 integrated. Great combination. I would be patient and look for a used NAD with more output allowing you to stay with the sound you like. An increase in output is not the only issue to consider, as you are already noticing.
Rick

HB27

I don't know how anyone else would approach your desired results but the first thing I'd do is concentrate on your Monitor 7s.
I'd make sure the cabinets are sealed properly. Leaking cabs and air around the drivers will steal punch from your output.
Also, I can't believe I'm saying this...Make sure your crossovers are fresh and working properly. Weak caps and resistors will put a veil over your 7s and not allow them to sound "alive" and open. They'll have perception of "background presense" for lack of better terminology.
You already have a good sounding NAD and I'd start there with properly working 7s.
The 780 will sound decent at lower volumes but once the volume control rotates past 10:00-10:30 you'll notice a lot of "muddy" creeping in from top to bottom.
The Techincs will sound similar to the Pioneer but a little "scratchy" on the top end with less than desireable mids.
The Yamaha Natural Sound A-720 isn't bad but is limited to quality output at higher and lower listening levels.
They're your ears, your wallet, and your "options" but I'd opt for different power sources. Waiting a couple of days may produce a "jewel" of a receiver or integrated or seperates to drive your Monitor 7s properly. You'll save money in the long run.
Congrats on the 7s pick up.
Welcome to the club.

[Deleted User]

Hey Doctor R,
Funny you should mention the NAD 3020, my system is completely torn up. A combination of moving records/CDs and a complete cleaning. Until things are taken care of I'm using a 3020 for the time being. What an excellent sounding piece of gear!
Great advice on recommending it for the Monitor 7, a combination made in audio heaven.
Cheers, Ken

heiney9

Keep what you have or move up the ladder. The units you mention buying are a step down regardless of how much power they are rated at. The NAD is the nicest piece you mention, keep it, use it, or move up the ladder to something nicer.

H9

doctor r

Hi Ken

The NAD 3020 is the piece I most miss from my audio journey. A store in Cambrige MA put together the Polk 7B, NAD 3020, and an Optonica RP3636 TT for me in 1979. What a great system. I still own the 7Bs and the TT but sadly the NAD went away about 8 years ago. Great sound.

tonyb

I'll go along with the Nad also, but since the OP bought the 7's used, it maybe time to redo them. Who knows how they were used,or stored. Picking up vintage gear is cool, but you have to invest alittle to bring them back inline with their own spec's.

Polkersince85

The power you have for the 7's should do the trick. How do you have the speakers set up? They should be on short stands which are angled back slightly to form a vertical alignment of the tweeters and mid voice coils. Form an equilateral triangle as to distance between the speakers and your listening position. Toe them in so that they point directly at you. Move them away from the walls ( back and sides). If the positioning does not do it, then look for more power.

Mike Patterson

Thx to all for your input. I am backing away from the edge and will not be taking the plunge with either of these amps. I did do a bit of research on the two amps I was considering and with a little help from CP I now realize neither would be an improvement over what I have now. I want to especially thank those who commented on vintage monitor 7s and how to get the most out of them. Mine sound great and I plan on keeping them a long time. I will also add that my NAD 7120 is a sweet receiver, has served me well and is my everyday listen. My Pioneer SX-780 gets great FM reception, is my "special purpose" receiver and it does look great.

Its great to be part of Club Polk.
Catch you later,
Mike

George Grand

NAD 3020 has/had a cult following, like the Advent 300. That's one of the first amps (the 3020) I put in the girls bedroom when they were young. It drove just about anything. There's a 3020A and B I think too. I sold it at AK when I first joined there, and I can tell you I was getting e-mails from all over this country wanting that thing.

[Deleted User]

Back when I had a shop in DC we would put together a combination of an Oracle Alexandria turntable with a Grace F9E cartridge. A pair of Spica TC50 with Chicago speaker stands. The power was the NAD 3020 and a matching NAD tuner. We carried Fulton brand of RCA cables and speaker wire. Just a fantastic system, no coloration, great resolution, still hard to beat. Or, the Rega turntable with the rest of it the same, for a little less money. Or the Kenwood turntable with the cast stone base and the Grace 707 tonearm.

erniejade

Honestly the only way to get a improvement on sound as to what you have is going separates or tube. Maybe look for a used adcom 555 for an amp. I thought the NAD have pre outputs also so, if $ is an issue, you could use the nad as a pre and look for a seperate amplifier till you can move up the line.