Technics Su vx 500 amplifier

[Prometeo]

Hi,
What about the old Technics Su vx 500 amplifier? I have one and I think it sounds well enough. I don’t know if I would buy a Marantz Pm 5004 amplifier I could have a better sound or not. I use it with a Marantz cd player.

Thanks

 

[Zax89swe]

If I was you I wouldnt bother buying the pm5004, save the money 🙂

 

[steve4232]

Many years ago I owned a Technics amplifier. I thought it was ok until I went to a "proper" Hi-Fi shop and heard other amps including Ion Obelisk, Naim Audio, Marantz, Cyrus, Rotel, Exposure, Arcam to name a few.

The Technics sounded pretty bad to be honest when compared with modestly priced products from the above brands. In fact it was demonstrated to me by how much the Technics was totally screwing up the source signal. I chucked it out as quickly as I could and moved on and have gladly never looked back. For me, Panasonic make decent vacuum cleaners and TV's. None of their subsidaries make decent Hi-Fi in my honest opinion.

I recall I bought a Naim Nait 2 as a result of hearing how my Technics amp was crucifying the music.

 

[GCE]

I think you are a little exaggerated, dramatized... :O

 

[Vladimir]

Panasonic spends more on liquid soap for the office toilets in a year than the whole Naim operation since 1973.

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/speaker/index2.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/unit/index.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/player/index3.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/player/index2.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/amp/index2.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/amp/index.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/etc/index.html

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/etc/index2.html



Gues who uses electoronic components from Panasonic? Ion Obelisk, Naim Audio, Marantz, Cyrus, Rotel, Exposure, Arcam, satelites, space ships and submarines, to name a few.

 

[Mohsin]

While I agree that a brand like Naim would turn out better audio equipment then Technics did I think they are totally different price categories so not a fair comparison. I have had alot of Technics gear over the years and other then a minidisc jog dial going wrong I have never had any issues with any of the rest. Technics made some decent equipment but as there is so much of it still out there its difficult knowing which models to look out for. I had a su-v670pxs which I had planned to add a power amp to but never got around to it so ended up selling the amp but it was a decent all rounder.

I dont know how your su-vx500 will compare to the Marant 5004 but I dont think it will be a huge improvement if any.

Mo

 

[steve4232]

LOL! Thanks for those links, Vlad! The old RS640U - my father still has a mint example of one of those WITH dust cover, bought new in 1973! Of course Technics has made some decent equipment over the years but its parent company, Panansonic, specialises in nothing in particular, it makes everything quite well. Generally speaking large organisations that manufacture components for everything in the domestic market and items for space ships, tend to be very efficient at everything but excel at nothing. They are making huge volumes of components to a price to cover every eventuality. They are not trying to re-invent the wheel or to produce the best Hi-Fi system in the world. If they were, they've failed.

 

[Vladimir]

The mistery to all audiophiles in the world is why such well built japanese amps sounded so dry and hollow. It is possible that the low idle current + high damping factor + large global negative feedback contributed to this. When I experimented with the idle current, increasing it certanly improved things.

 

[steve4232]

I wouldn't say my Technics was "dry", more "dirty" sounding if anything. If audio can be described in terms of colour, it tended to turn everything "brown".

 

[steve4232]

So if Naim uses Panasonic components, it certainly knows how to utilise them much better than Technics! I think power supplies are key here too.

 

[Vladimir]

How about intentional voicing? Maybe in Japan and Germany (Japan's biggest hi-fi market) they enjoy bright an screetchy sound on amps with many buttons and shiny lights.

 

[Tarxman]

http://audio-heritage.jp/TECHNICS/speaker/sb-400.html

Had these hooked up to my system yesterday, right before I gave them back to my father.

 

[Vladimir]

When was the last time the crossovers got recapped?

 

[nima]

Many years ago I owned a Technics amplifier. I thought it was ok until I went to a "proper" Hi-Fi shop and heard other amps

I think you, if you bring home a decent budget amp, you will be surprised how much more clear it will sound compared to old Technics.

I'm sure you will find Technich muddy, veiled, without drive and punch, lacking in every aspect of music reproduction.

Marantz wouldn't be my first choice though.

 

[manicm]

Technics on occasion got it exceptionally right. Mid-power amps such as the SU-V5 ('82), and its successor the SU-V4X('84) were brilliant. In fact I preferred the latter to an A400.

 

[Prometeo]

And what would it be your choise in the range of entry level amplifier?

Thanks🙂

 

[Tzutzu]

Technics SU-VX 700

 

[manicm]

From '85/86 onwards with their so called Class AA amps, Technics ran rapidly downhill, they became mediocre indeed. So yes ordinarily I wouldn't give the SU VX 500 a second look. If you can stretch your budget I'd look at the Marantz PM 6005 which at 300 quid undiscounted is good value.

 

[manicm]

Technics SU-VX 700

No

 

[peterpiper]

Technics made some bomb proof DD turntables, I remember owning a project debut, thought it was a pile of poo, and put me off vinyl , flimsy microphonic build with an elastic band powering it , then i decided to dip my toes in again with a used SL1300 for a mere 70 pounds, heavy slab of 70;s enginnering, ahhh so this is how I remember vinyl, The technics bashing is a bit unfair . Cant comment on the amps though, never had one

 

[nima]

Technics made some bomb proof DD turntables, I remember owning a project debut, thought it was a pile of poo, and put me off vinyl , flimsy microphonic build with an elastic band powering it , then i decided to dip my toes in again with a used SL1300 for a mere 70 pounds, heavy slab of 70;s enginnering, ahhh so this is how I remember vinyl, The technics bashing is a bit unfair . Cant comment on the amps though, never had one

It's not the SL1300, it's the 440MLa you love so much, just kidding. On the other hand it's not so difficult to put Pro-ject Debut to shame.

I have tried various Technics amps with different power ratings from 70s, 80s and 90s. None was decent.

 

[manicm]

Technics made some bomb proof DD turntables, I remember owning a project debut, thought it was a pile of poo, and put me off vinyl , flimsy microphonic build with an elastic band powering it , then i decided to dip my toes in again with a used SL1300 for a mere 70 pounds, heavy slab of 70;s enginnering, ahhh so this is how I remember vinyl, The technics bashing is a bit unfair . Cant comment on the amps though, never had one

It's not the SL1300, it's the 440MLa you love so much, just kidding. On the other hand it's not so difficult to put Pro-ject Debut to shame.

I have tried various Technics amps with different power ratings from 70s, 80s and 90s. None was decent.

Some of the New Class A ones were excellent - the V and X ranges in the early 80s. And as peterpiper pointed out, they made some great direct drive turntables as well - even Linn acknowledged that.

 

[peterpiper]

Technics made some bomb proof DD turntables, I remember owning a project debut, thought it was a pile of poo, and put me off vinyl , flimsy microphonic build with an elastic band powering it , then i decided to dip my toes in again with a used SL1300 for a mere 70 pounds, heavy slab of 70;s enginnering, ahhh so this is how I remember vinyl, The technics bashing is a bit unfair . Cant comment on the amps though, never had one

It's not the SL1300, it's the 440MLa you love so much, just kidding. On the other hand it's not so difficult to put Pro-ject Debut to shame.

I have tried various Technics amps with different power ratings from 70s, 80s and 90s. None was decent.

the 440mla is a lovely cartridge, and cost more than double the technics deck ! but works great on it , I think think these technics are great second hand buys, the SL1300 is based on the SL1200 or vice versa, but with a slightly weaker motor, but you would never know for home hifi use and its why you can get them a good prices if you are patient

DJ and scratchers want SL1200's only, not the likes of the SL1300 , the SL1200's have probably seen time in a club at some piont, the SL1300 would have definatly not and therfore likley to have been looked after better, not that the SL1200 cant take abuse, its probably the most robust TT ever built

 

[Paul_1970]

I know this is a late post but I have a pair of 1984 SU-V4X amps. They're lovely lively little things with great sound and clarity. They punch well above their weight. I really don't want to part with them and if I did it'd be circa £1k to find a decent replacement.

 

[manicm]

I know this is a late post but I have a pair of 1984 SU-V4X amps. They're lovely lively little things with great sound and clarity. They punch well above their weight. I really don't want to part with them and if I did it'd be circa £1k to find a decent replacement.

We had one for 19 years and it was frankly brilliant. Unfortunately it could not be repaired, no parts etc. If they're in perfect working order don't let them go! I'm also inclined to think you'd have to spend 1k for an equivalent. They sure did heat up the room though!