Hi,
Just wondered if anyone remembers if the Technics su-a900mk2 was ever reviewed in what hifi and if so how it scored?
Just wondered if anyone remembers if the Technics su-a900mk2 was ever reviewed in what hifi and if so how it scored?
old technics amplifier!
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It was reviewed in the WHF Good Hi-Fi Guide 1996. It sold for £450 at the time.
For: Precise soundstage; superb bass definition and punch
Against: Nothing
5 Stars
A thrilling ride with a big airy sound...
For: Precise soundstage; superb bass definition and punch
Against: Nothing
5 Stars
A thrilling ride with a big airy sound...
Moongravy, I'm impressed.
Any chance either the Technics SLPG320A (CD) or SUVZ320 (Amp) ever got a review too?
Thanks in advance for your trouble.
Any chance either the Technics SLPG320A (CD) or SUVZ320 (Amp) ever got a review too?
Thanks in advance for your trouble.
Moongravy thank you for your reply.
I knew one of the technics had a 5 star rating but couldnt remember if it was the integrated or the pre power. Im guessing you still have a copy of the old mag whenthey reviewed it?
I knew one of the technics had a 5 star rating but couldnt remember if it was the integrated or the pre power. Im guessing you still have a copy of the old mag whenthey reviewed it?
Moongravy do you know what speakers they used with it when they tested it or if they advised certain speakers. Im currently using mine with the mission m74i but find the sound a little too bright in the top end and not enough lows. I had a pair of tannoy r1 and they (althoguh not bassy) actually had a very listenable non tiring sound. Any suggestions on speakers? a floorstanding with good lows and not overly bright? my budget is £300 - £400 which many on this forum would laugh at but im sure it must buy me something decent. I was looking at the mission m35i or the v63 also considered getting a second hand pair of mission 753.
any help appreciated.
any help appreciated.
Mohsin:
Moongravy do you know what speakers they used with it when they tested it or if they advised certain speakers. Im currently using mine with the mission m74i but find the sound a little too bright in the top end and not enough lows. I had a pair of tannoy r1 and they (althoguh not bassy) actually had a very listenable non tiring sound. Any suggestions on speakers? a floorstanding with good lows and not overly bright? my budget is £300 - £400 which many on this forum would laugh at but im sure it must buy me something decent. I was looking at the mission m35i or the v63 also considered getting a second hand pair of mission 753.
any help appreciated.
Anything by Wharfedale should be perfect - if you can, try the Wharfedale EVO2 30s (if you can get them for £350 or under)...they have a very relaxed treble and plenty of bass depth and tonnes of punch.
Moongravy do you know what speakers they used with it when they tested it or if they advised certain speakers. Im currently using mine with the mission m74i but find the sound a little too bright in the top end and not enough lows. I had a pair of tannoy r1 and they (althoguh not bassy) actually had a very listenable non tiring sound. Any suggestions on speakers? a floorstanding with good lows and not overly bright? my budget is £300 - £400 which many on this forum would laugh at but im sure it must buy me something decent. I was looking at the mission m35i or the v63 also considered getting a second hand pair of mission 753.
any help appreciated.
Anything by Wharfedale should be perfect - if you can, try the Wharfedale EVO2 30s (if you can get them for £350 or under)...they have a very relaxed treble and plenty of bass depth and tonnes of punch.
jameshughes:
Moongravy, I'm impressed.
Any chance either the Technics SLPG320A (CD) or SUVZ320 (Amp) ever got a review too?
Thanks in advance for your trouble.
They may have been reviewed, but not in this issue. It's the only issue I have from that era so cant look at any others to check.
Sorry, the reviews in this special edition do not mention any test gear.
Moongravy, I'm impressed.
Any chance either the Technics SLPG320A (CD) or SUVZ320 (Amp) ever got a review too?
Thanks in advance for your trouble.
They may have been reviewed, but not in this issue. It's the only issue I have from that era so cant look at any others to check.
Sorry, the reviews in this special edition do not mention any test gear.
manicm
Well-known member
I don't know about this amp but I had an old Technics SU-V4X, circa 1985, and was a true Class A amp (Tech called it 'New Class A' - whatever), and I can tell you had it not packed up I would have kept it, it was a stonking amp, with breathtaking clarity, soundstage and imaging.
My SU-A900MK2 was purchased in the mid '90s along with the Kef Q30 speakers and Marantz CD63SE CD player on the strength of What Hifi's recommendation. I seem to remember it was in mid '95 so was probably originally reviewed before the WHF Good Hi-Fi Guide 1996, then appeared in the guide subsequently. Excellent system.
The CDP was replaced last year by the Marantz CD6002 due to wear and tear and the speakers replaced by the Kef iQ5SE's.
The amp will not be replaced until it breaks. It still sounds good compared to modern amps of comparable value and I've kinda' got used to having it around. Still listen to CD's/radio through it at least once a day during the week (ironing shirt in the morning!) and often at weekends (music and movies).
Unfortunately the CD and speaker upgrade didn't stop the urge to upgrade, but made it stronger. So the Technics is now upstairs, replacing an expensive but melted JVC mini system, and downstairs is a Creek & Epos system (see YouTube video - it's a bit of a crappy clip, but is mildly amusing and apparently it's had 599 views since the end of May!! I'm sure others can do a much better job).
Still regardless of future upgrades, long live the SU-A900MK2.
The CDP was replaced last year by the Marantz CD6002 due to wear and tear and the speakers replaced by the Kef iQ5SE's.
The amp will not be replaced until it breaks. It still sounds good compared to modern amps of comparable value and I've kinda' got used to having it around. Still listen to CD's/radio through it at least once a day during the week (ironing shirt in the morning!) and often at weekends (music and movies).
Unfortunately the CD and speaker upgrade didn't stop the urge to upgrade, but made it stronger. So the Technics is now upstairs, replacing an expensive but melted JVC mini system, and downstairs is a Creek & Epos system (see YouTube video - it's a bit of a crappy clip, but is mildly amusing and apparently it's had 599 views since the end of May!! I'm sure others can do a much better job).
Still regardless of future upgrades, long live the SU-A900MK2.
I would have to agree that the technics still sounds good. I was in a shop a few months ago and tried a nad and a denon amp and thought they would make my su-a900 sound old and rubbish but to my surprise it was the other way around. I couldnt believe what I have at home is better sounding then some of the newer £400 - £500 amps.
I know its purly cosmetic but I also think the amp looks gorgeous even by todays standards.
I have a question im looking to get a pair of Q acoustics 1050 floorstanders to go with this amp, any ideas on how they may sound? Im currently using mission m74i but the sound is too bright and it lacks midrange.
I know its purly cosmetic but I also think the amp looks gorgeous even by todays standards.
I have a question im looking to get a pair of Q acoustics 1050 floorstanders to go with this amp, any ideas on how they may sound? Im currently using mission m74i but the sound is too bright and it lacks midrange.
http://www.sightandsounduk.com/catalogue/p7688/c100/Hi-Fi/NAD-C326BEE.aspx
Would this be a good replacement?
Would this be a good replacement?
Mohsin:
I have a question im looking to get a pair of Q acoustics 1050 floorstanders to go with this amp, any ideas on how they may sound? Im currently using mission m74i but the sound is too bright and it lacks midrange.
I think you could find them rather good, though presume you mean the 1050i which superseded the original 1050 speaker. Apparently, they have a very big, fun and analogue kind of sound, which might be what you're looking for. Have to say, before getting the Mission 752s at the end of last year, the 1050i was right up there on my last.
I have a question im looking to get a pair of Q acoustics 1050 floorstanders to go with this amp, any ideas on how they may sound? Im currently using mission m74i but the sound is too bright and it lacks midrange.
I think you could find them rather good, though presume you mean the 1050i which superseded the original 1050 speaker. Apparently, they have a very big, fun and analogue kind of sound, which might be what you're looking for. Have to say, before getting the Mission 752s at the end of last year, the 1050i was right up there on my last.
Mohsin:
a floorstanding with good lows and not overly bright? my budget is £300 - £400 which many on this forum would laugh at but im sure it must buy me something decent. I was looking at the mission m35i or the v63 also considered getting a second hand pair of mission 753.
Not many'll be laughing on this forum at your budget mate; the 753 was arguably the pinnacle of the Mission range over the last 25 years. In fact, the whole 75 series was superb - I've owned the 751 standmount, the 752 floorstander currently and the 753 or 753 Freedoms carried the tradition on.
People rate both versions of the 75 and the later Freedom upgrade to the range, not sure of all of the changes brought in with the Freedom version, but soft dome tweeters typically replaced the metal / mesh domed type. I've got the original 752 and it's got the latter type, but it's anything but harsh sounding, if anything, it's rather balanced and with excellent detail, imaging and transparency for the money.
You should be able to get a 753 for about £150-£300 depending on condition and where you buy.
Alternatively, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, check out the Q Acoustics 1050i floorstander, or the 1030i floorstander if you have limited room for larger boxes. Both would be well worth checking out. Cracking company Q, IMO. Very impressed with some of their gear. The 1050i comes in at around £340, but widely available for under £300.
a floorstanding with good lows and not overly bright? my budget is £300 - £400 which many on this forum would laugh at but im sure it must buy me something decent. I was looking at the mission m35i or the v63 also considered getting a second hand pair of mission 753.
Not many'll be laughing on this forum at your budget mate; the 753 was arguably the pinnacle of the Mission range over the last 25 years. In fact, the whole 75 series was superb - I've owned the 751 standmount, the 752 floorstander currently and the 753 or 753 Freedoms carried the tradition on.
People rate both versions of the 75 and the later Freedom upgrade to the range, not sure of all of the changes brought in with the Freedom version, but soft dome tweeters typically replaced the metal / mesh domed type. I've got the original 752 and it's got the latter type, but it's anything but harsh sounding, if anything, it's rather balanced and with excellent detail, imaging and transparency for the money.
You should be able to get a 753 for about £150-£300 depending on condition and where you buy.
Alternatively, as mentioned elsewhere in this thread, check out the Q Acoustics 1050i floorstander, or the 1030i floorstander if you have limited room for larger boxes. Both would be well worth checking out. Cracking company Q, IMO. Very impressed with some of their gear. The 1050i comes in at around £340, but widely available for under £300.
If I recall correctly the technics CD player was a budget star (5 stars).
I had the entry level amp, the SUVZ220 and that was reviewed as 'harsh sounding' though it was my first piece of seperates kit and I had many years of enjoyment from it.
I had the entry level amp, the SUVZ220 and that was reviewed as 'harsh sounding' though it was my first piece of seperates kit and I had many years of enjoyment from it.
It's funny with old kit, a lot of it now sounds dated and uninspiring but there were some gems along the way but it is quite hard to work out which ones, you can't listen to everything. If you have a good old highly rated amp or other bit of kit then a set of up market connectors and a new cartridge or the like can be a simple up grade that makes it shine in the way it did when you bought the thing in 1988
I have just bought a cheap DAC to go between my cheap cd player and old Denon amp,,, a new lease of life.
I suppose it is even more difficult with Technics and the like as some was a bit duff but there is so much of it, but the Brit stuff sounds good what ever it sounds like
even that old Northcourt mono valve amp rusting away in the shed would give the latest Far Eastern offering a run for its money
I suppose it is even more difficult with Technics and the like as some was a bit duff but there is so much of it, but the Brit stuff sounds good what ever it sounds like
To avoid bright sound ,release power and punch this amp capable of I would recommend Dynaudio contour line like s3.4 or may be even S5.4
I have less powerfull A700mk2 ,but it sounds very powerfull paired with dynaudio contour s1.4 with the bass and punch you can feel like floorstanders with subwoofer,very engaging sound 8)
I have less powerfull A700mk2 ,but it sounds very powerfull paired with dynaudio contour s1.4 with the bass and punch you can feel like floorstanders with subwoofer,very engaging sound 8)
I decided to get out my old Hifi, purists will be upset at me, I have had in storage, a JVC QL 3YF T/T,
Hitachi FT5500MII tuner, Aiwa 990 Casette Deck Akai GX9. Celestion AVF 302 speakers, Sansui SE-99 and SE-88 Equalisers. I decided to get a 2nd hand Technics A900 Mk2 from good old fleabay. They still fetch about £100, inevitably with a few marks, and scrathes, from the stacking and paint scrathes particularly on brown and black hifi components, probably the g/f turning it off, or lowering the volume. I had been using a Grundig Fine Arts which I bought in 1997 from Dixons for £199 on sale. I was full of intrepidation getting the 990 Mk2 amp going. Boy was I dissapointed. I could not belive how rubbish this amp was it was worse than the Grundig amp. I then trounched off to Richer Sounds and got a Pionner amp, with airplay, and wow! You cannot beat just how technology has changed, It was superb, clear, and had ummp! Plus I can just stream music to it. I am an old romantic who was grew up on the New Romatic era and now a bitter no romantic, However I think it is time to call it a day with old skool technology. It may have been good then, when it was I think over £400, in the late 80s and early 90s. However for a walkj in buy out of frustration for £200 I got a an amp, far superior amp , better in capabilities and weighs 1/10th of the Technics amp and produces little or no heat, I was just looking at some of my Equipment, back in the days cutting edge technology, each piece costing nearly a months wage! I couldn't believe when the Aiwa cassette decks belts and idler tires had perished and I was quoted £120 for changing these and then the guy said he was doing me a favour. One even quoted £300! Some parts are no longer available and some companies like Sansui, do not have a UK support, so bear that in mind, I had to do a clever piece of soldering to all the dry joints in most of the equipment and tackled the belts and it cost me £12!
The only benefit is that I dont need to go to Las Vegas as the light show from the old units is amazing, all barring the amp. It weighs nearly 9kilos too!
Hitachi FT5500MII tuner, Aiwa 990 Casette Deck Akai GX9. Celestion AVF 302 speakers, Sansui SE-99 and SE-88 Equalisers. I decided to get a 2nd hand Technics A900 Mk2 from good old fleabay. They still fetch about £100, inevitably with a few marks, and scrathes, from the stacking and paint scrathes particularly on brown and black hifi components, probably the g/f turning it off, or lowering the volume. I had been using a Grundig Fine Arts which I bought in 1997 from Dixons for £199 on sale. I was full of intrepidation getting the 990 Mk2 amp going. Boy was I dissapointed. I could not belive how rubbish this amp was it was worse than the Grundig amp. I then trounched off to Richer Sounds and got a Pionner amp, with airplay, and wow! You cannot beat just how technology has changed, It was superb, clear, and had ummp! Plus I can just stream music to it. I am an old romantic who was grew up on the New Romatic era and now a bitter no romantic, However I think it is time to call it a day with old skool technology. It may have been good then, when it was I think over £400, in the late 80s and early 90s. However for a walkj in buy out of frustration for £200 I got a an amp, far superior amp , better in capabilities and weighs 1/10th of the Technics amp and produces little or no heat, I was just looking at some of my Equipment, back in the days cutting edge technology, each piece costing nearly a months wage! I couldn't believe when the Aiwa cassette decks belts and idler tires had perished and I was quoted £120 for changing these and then the guy said he was doing me a favour. One even quoted £300! Some parts are no longer available and some companies like Sansui, do not have a UK support, so bear that in mind, I had to do a clever piece of soldering to all the dry joints in most of the equipment and tackled the belts and it cost me £12!
The only benefit is that I dont need to go to Las Vegas as the light show from the old units is amazing, all barring the amp. It weighs nearly 9kilos too!
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