Help me choose...Amp? Pre-amp? Integrated? Fix old one?

[redclamchowder]

Hi All. First post here but looking for some input. My system will be used solely for listening to vinyl and the room it currently lives is about 14ft x 14ft. It may change if i finish the basement but for now, thats what it is.

So my current system is as follows:

Mirage 1295i speakers (i love these and will not be upgrading anytime soon...they have served me well and continue to do so)
Thorens TD160 rebuilt by Vinyl Nirvana with an Ortofon Bronze (again, not upgrading this either as its awesome powder coated Black with a mahogany plinth )

So that leaves me at my dilemma. I was using a rebuilt Sansei Eight Deluxe but the left channel just crapped out on me. So I could get it fixed but thought maybe its time for an upgrade (maybe i should just fix it?). I was thinking of the Marantz PM8005 integrated but thought I would ask the wise folks here what they thought.

I have looked online into a separate pre-amp and amp combo as well as the integrateds.

I know i know, what is your budget dude? Well i didn't set one but for the sake of argument, lets set an upper limit of $2K as anything more i could never justify to myself.

Any ideas from the crew here? I left it open ended as I didn't want to do a poll of two or 3 when someone may have a great option i haven't seen. Thanks![/quote]

 

[KEW]

You'd actually get the best bang for the buck out of an AVR because of the economies of scale!
However, reading your post and considering that you seem to be exclusively vinyl, I suspect you have a romantic philosophy about your system, and are looking or a vintage style/look.
On that basis I would recommend also considering the following:
Outlaw RR2160:

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2160_about.html

Yamaha A-S700 or higher:

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-S701SL-Natural-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B00MXUCMXS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1507764291&sr=1-1&keywords=Yamaha+A-s701
(also available in black)

Or Yamaha R-S700:

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-iwLEx4u7cZD/p_022RS700/Yamaha-R-S700.html

That said the Marantz is a fine option and should do a fine job!

Interestingly, both of the receivers above have jumpers between the "pre out" and the "main in" so you can isolate the pre and the power amp. This could come in handy should you ever decide you want a separate power amp or in the advent of a failure of one section, you can continue using the other (depending of course on where the failure occurred). I don't expect failure, but given your Sansui just crapped out on you, this might appeal to you.

I have a old Sansui AU-717 that I have kept alive primarily because we go back almost 4 decades now. I am embarrassed to say how much money I have in it! Unless you have a repair guy nearby that everyone thinks is GOD, I'd stick with modern electronics! Once a unit is over 25 years old, anything is liable to give out and the "rebuilt" units are not comprehensively rebuilt (as new) IME.

Edit: In terms of power:
The Outlaw RR2160 receiver and Yamaha A-S700 integrated are very close. The Yamaha Receiver is rated the same, but I have looked under the hood and the A-S700 is a step above the R-S700.
But all of them produce more than your Sansui (which was 60 WPC into 8 Ohms), so should have an easy time with the Mirage (which look to be a nice speaker)!

 

[redclamchowder]

Thanks Kurt! You are correct, the sansei is more of a "romantic" thing. But i know the pain of trying to keep it alive and going (but it just looks so cool all lit up and old school). But I will check out your suggestions! Appreciate it!

Just an fyi, it may sound silly to just have a vinyl set up but with two small kids around, it can't be out with the TV and stuff so I have it all in my own little room thats off limits to the kids

 

[KEW]

Thanks Kurt! You are correct, the sansei is more of a "romantic" thing. But i know the pain of trying to keep it alive and going (but it just looks so cool all lit up and old school). But I will check out your suggestions! Appreciate it!

Just an fyi, it may sound silly to just have a vinyl set up but with two small kids around, it can't be out with the TV and stuff so I have it all in my own little room thats off limits to the kids

This might be an interesting option if you are considering "modernizing" things:
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/yamaha-r-n803-stereo-network-receiver-with-ypao-bass-mgt.109121/

Like I said, an AVR will give you more for less, but if you will not attach a TV, I'm not sure it is the right way, and it won't have the retro look!

 

[lovinthehd]

Assume you have a Sansui receiver rather than a "Sansei", at least I don't find a brand called Sansei....

If you can find someone to repair it, that may be a good route for you....especially instead of paying up to $2k for a new unit that likely will offer nothing it doesn't already for your purposes....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just get a brand new Denon X4300 (MSRP $1500) on sale for $799 on Amazon.

It will sound at least as good as your integrated or pre-pro + amp.