freeware:
the record spot: Got my Sansui AU-217 for £33 delivered, my Mission 752s for £80 (collected those),
I must admit that after one of your previous post and your signature my concerns began. How can I compare Sansui and Missions with CA 340 cd, and CA 340amp? What
about Marantz "clearance" 5000 series? I know that price can match but
sometimes sound quality is poorer. I have no experience with this kits.
I have auditioned Marantz 6002/6003 but it's over my budget.
Google Mission 752. Likewise Sansui's AU-n17 series range. How can you compare? Tricky I know, but I was in exactly the same boat. You can read up on here for a start, you already know what the sound of the CA kit is like presumably, so the same applies, but with a little more legwork re: any older kit you care to choose.
You've got the budget and you wanted to go down the used route, or at least opted to consider that (a smart move IMO). Here's my take on the two if it helps:-
Mission 752 - wonderfully lucid floorstander, originally retailed for £550, this is the original, pre-Freedom version with the mesh dome tweeter. Not as harsh sounding sounding as you might typically expect, it's got great balance, very detailed and lovely top end. Bass is controlled, but with the right kit, weight and lifelike. Partner with care though and it-s bi-wireable. Picked upa 5 star review in WHF when it came out in both this and the Freedom version. IMO, the 75 series was Mission's best of the last 20 years and arguably longer.
Sansui AU-217 - probably coming up on 30 years old, I came on to this brand after some years utter ignorance thinking they were just a cheapo manufacturer turning out duff kit in the late 80s and 90s. turns out their hi-fi pedigree of the late 70s and earlier is one many would kill for today. This amp is near the entry-level for the range (after this you have 317, 517, and 717 all with varying specs). The 217 is a 30 watter, very musical and partners these components incredibly well - at least to my ears. Sound quality is very contemporary - expect a punchy, crisp and bouncy sound out of this one, a very balanced sound with good bass and excellent build quality. It's a 30wpc amp, though a mark II version came out later and delivered 40wpc in 8ohms.
What are your concerns about my recommending older used kit? Sound quality? Trust me, SQ is right up there for me and always has been. The Missions went for £550 in their day and they're more than capable if you find some in good nick; they come up all the time and will cane what you can buy for the same money new now.
Some technology has come on leaps and bounds, but good kit is good kit irrespective of age. My current amp replaced a Marantz 6010-KI last month and the performance is better (IMO), albeit slightly. I can wholeheartedly recommend these two items but obviously, you have to consider listening to them too and that's always going to be a problem buying used where you might not have the chance to listen beforehand.
Do some background research of your own though and it can pay off in grand style.
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