BCHR

Thanks so much for sharing! I looked at the amp on gum tree omg it's beautiful! Its just a smidgen out of my price range tho and I'd prefer to test on my speakers (In Melbourne) before I buy my next amp.

Is that the purpose of those holes or are the holes for some of function? For the Q acoustic speakers perhaps.

Hi, are the holes in the top plat so you can attach a larger plate for a bigger speaker? (Looking to support KEF Q350s)

Im starting to come around to this thinking.

This thing is beautiful!

I've been reading constantly over thew last few days and now I'm starting to think maybe going with a newer amp that has HT bypass will be a better solution for me. Does anyone have any good starting spots to research amps that have HT bypass? A link to a thread on here perhaps? Or just a few amp models I should look at? Thanks!

What 80's and 90's Sansui models do you have pete_?

Thanks surprise, I considered this option but it limits my amp choice to new ones with bypass. How do you like your Rotel?

Thanks so much for the replies to everyone. You've given me a great amount of things to consider and digest. I will update with my progress.

Sale still pending?

Given the great advice I've already got in the last day, I'd like to purchase off someone in the community if I can.

Whoa what a theory. Like an abumlance chaser but for stereo gear! I actually saw the Sansui the other day myself when i first started looking into this! Glad I was on the right track. Am I right to think I might find something with a bit more power, the 881 for example and in better nick/full refurbished.

Ah thank you! I've always wondered that. I don't need the radio function as I would stream the radio, but if a receiver came up and ticked all the other boxes, I wouldn't say no just because it has an extra feature I don't need. Now that I know this though it will make searching a lot easier. thanks!

What's the difference?

Now I feel like I'm on the right track. If I was to stick with Sansui, Yamaha and Marantz say, can anyone throw out some 70's/80's models of these brands I can focus my attention on?

Thanks P-Mac. Glad it's not a hard no. If possible I really would prefer to go for Vintage. Just need to find the right model, one thats been looked after etc.

Does everyone unanimously agree I shouldn't be going for a 70's Vintage amp, and look at something newer?

whoa ok, that's some food for thought. I'm just hesitant to go with a modern amp based on my experience with the Marantz. In my mind now I can't fathom how a modern amp can produce music with any soul. But I hear what you're saying with keeping the speakers era aligned.

Thanks Doc, I've been looking through the classifieds and agree with your strategy of knowing what I want first, that's the part I wouldn't mind a few suggestions on.

Hi stereonet. Awesome forum, just signed up this week, very impressed with the community and advice housed here. Background: I use a Marantz NR1508 to power 2x KEF Q350s, a Q250c and a REL Ti5 which is used for TV/Movies and music. Music is generally run through bluetooth and spotify, or sometimes through the TV. I have a record player and records but no amp for it (yet) Since I built this system up over the last 2 years, I'm just not getting that excitement you get from listening to your favourite music on a great system. I grew up in a household where music listening was the main activity, we had great gear, Marantz, Musical Fidality, JBLs, Jamo etc. I'm used to music sounding great. This was all pre AV and surround sound, 80's 90's etc. Now I want to build my dream system, which I thought I was doing. However, I'm disappointed so far. Songs I'm familiar with sound cold, a bit flat, or generally lifeless. The only music the system does well is modern electonica/hip hop. I've done lot of research over the last couple of years and learned that AV Receivers are generally not known for producing music with much character or body, and I'm definitely experiencing that now. I have decided my best strategy, is to listen to music through a dedicated hifi amp but still through the Q350s and REL sub. I will achieve this with use of an amp switch box. This gives me a chance to bring my music listening experience back to life with the right choice of dedicated hifi amp. Question: Can someone please recommend (or even better, sell) me amp I can use for this purpose? Criteria: Sound - must be fantastic, strong, clear, full of character/body, capable with bass, able to handle jazz, rock, punk, soul, electronica, vocals, hip hop, modern production (bass subtlety, sustained bass, soundstage dynamics) etc etc. Hopefully a classic amp that everyone regards as just simply nailing it in terms of sonics. Aesthetics - 70's, wood panelling, nice interface, bit of a talking piece. I love music and want to feel really good owning this equipment. I'm thinking Yamaha, Sansui, Marantz or similar. Budget - $400 - $800 AUD unless I can be convinced I need to spend more. Notes - I'm in a mid sized apartment and don't have the volume up loud all the time, but when it is, I want the power there. The Marantz is 50W/ch and it's only been maxed once or twice mainly to push the envelope. Really looking forward to your responses! I'm sure someone will have some great advice for me. Thanks, BCHR.