2ch Music Comparo with RTi A9 - XPA-2 vs Sansui G7500

tugzy

My XPA-2 arrived last week and i had plenty of listening time. I want to share my first impressions of the Emo and compare it to my Vintage Sansui G-7500.

Set up 1:
CD source: LG BD390C BR Player
Preamp: Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH
Amp: Emo XPA-2
Speakers: Polk RTi A9

The LG is connected to the Pioneer via HDMI, then unbalanced RCA from the Pioneer to the Emo.

Set up 2:
CD source: LG BD390C BR Player
Receiver: Sansui G-7500 http://www.classicaudio.com/value/san/G7500.html
Speakers: Polk RTi A9

The connections are via RCA from the LG to the Sansui


Initial impressions of the Emo was the awesome power and headroom, my Polks really came to life at the higher volumes. Since my Sansui is only rated at 90wpc i couldn't achieve the SPL's as heard with the Emo. When it comes to sound quality, both are very detailed with the Sansui having a much more rounded sound, i can hear more depth in the midrange vocal and low bass notes with the Sansui. I listen to R&B, Reggae, Soca, Jazz, Contemporary. I like low and mid range detail. I typically listen to the Sansui with the tone controls flat and loudness on. The Pio used as a Pre setup had the tone flat with every other setting off. Initially i preferred the SQ of the Sansui.

After a few days of tweaking the Pio, adjusting the internal EQ, with loudness on, i am almost able to get similar sound to the Sansui. I'm sure with more tweaking i will get the rounded sound and depth that i hear from the Sansui plus the power and Headroom from the Emo..... i think i've come to the point where im deciding not to purchase the USP-1. Only because I like the adjustability of tailoring the sound to my tastes. Using the USP-1 will not allow me to do that.

I think if i was to do it all over again, i would find myself a vintage Sansui G-9000DB or even one of the G-22000/G-33000 monsters over the Emo. I still like the Vintage look with the analog power meters and amber illumination. My Sansui always turns out to be an interesting piece for conversation when i have guests over. Those are my thoughts

http://gallery.me.com/keyboard.samurai/1....=12324190850001

Im waiting for a DAC from Hotaudio to arrive. I ordered the DAC Excacy with the Wolfson DAC (my Pio has the Wolfson). Ill report back and share my impressions of that product.

Montoya

You need a good seperate pre to get the best sound out of your amp. In my opinion your just spinning your wheels using a receiver.

WilliamM2

Seems like a comparison of the Pioneer and Sansui. Does the Sansui have pre outs for an amp? Be interesting to see if that would give you the sound your looking for, and the power.

Zitro

I bet that Sansui is awesome. My dad has a Sansui G-9700, 200wpc, and it sounds fantastic; blows most amps I've heard out of the water musically. Not bad for being 31 years old. Still works perfectly, too. Guess they really don't make em like that anymore.

anton.chigurh

How bout some pics of the Sansui?

tugzy

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Seems like a comparison of the Pioneer and Sansui. Does the Sansui have pre outs for an amp? Be interesting to see if that would give you the sound your looking for, and the power.

No Pre outs on this model.... I wish...

tugzy

anton.chigurh wrote: »

How bout some pics of the Sansui?

G7000/G7500 - 85/90wpc


G9000 - 160wpc


G22000/G33000 - 220/300wpc (its a 2 piece pre/amp, its HUGE)




If i can find a G33000, I will sell my XPA-2.... the Sansui's are just beautiful looking and awesome sounding amps...

BlueFox

i think i've come to the point where im deciding not to purchase the USP-1. Only because I like the adjustability of tailoring the sound to my tastes. Using the USP-1 will not allow me to do that.

I apologize for my stupidity, but it is Friday night and I am on beer 5. Anyway, what is a USP-1?


I used to have a Sansui receiver, forgot the model, but it sounded great.

danz1906

That Sansui is Sweet:)

tugzy

BlueFox wrote: »

I apologize for my stupidity, but it is Friday night and I am on beer 5. Anyway, what is a USP-1?


I used to have a Sansui receiver, forgot the model, but it sounded great.

My bad..... Emotiva USP-1 analog Preamp

Toolfan66

Montoya wrote: »

You need a good seperate pre to get the best sound out of your amp. In my opinion your just spinning your wheels using a receiver.

I have to agree here if you really want those A9's to open up get a good pre.
I for one hated the XPA-2, did not mesh with my setup. That Sansui is beautiful.:cool:

concealer404

That sansui stuff is AWESOME.

NJPOLKER

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1268244558&/Sansui-G8700DB-Receiver

A nice unit on Audiogon for sale.

tugzy

What do you guys recommend as a good pre-amp with sound controls? budget $1k or less

WilliamM2

tugzy wrote: »

What do you guys recommend as a good pre-amp with sound controls? budget $1k or less

I've been looking for a pre to do HT bypass. I like to use my sub occasionally for stereo listening, so I wanted something that also has a sub bypass. From your signature, I'm not sure if you use your system for multi channel as well?

Anyways, this one seems to have everything I'm looking for, and gets great reviews:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PAC2100

tugzy

Uptate, im not buying a Pre-amp for now...im still using the Pio Elite. After some EQ adjustments to the Elite and upgrading the wiring to my RTi A9s I am able to achieve the sound I want for my music (similar warmth to the Sansui) but with the Headroom dynamics of the Emotiva. Let me say it now sounds wonderful! Running FLAC from my PC to Hotaudio Extacy DAC into the Pio to play Norah Jones, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Andrea Bocceli etc... sounds like im right there in front of the stage.. Then theres my Soca, Reggae, R&B.... the combination of the 300wpc XPA-2 and RTiA9's are just going to blow the house down... my walls rumble. I think i should reinforce the picture frames on the walls...

devani

nice...glad everything works together as you like....

michael1947

I know this is an old thread BUT if anyone is home...how do those A9's work for just music.