AU-919 or D11-2

[ghamilton]

If you had to make a choice between the AU-919 or the D11-2, (both in new condition:thmbsp:) which one would you pic to live with? :scratch2:
This is a SURVEY Q & A

[onepixel]

I picked the AU-D11.

[dr*audio]

The AU-919 is a wonderful sounding amp, with great build quality. It is more reliable and easier to work on than the AU-D11-II. The AU-D11 is ok, I just wouldn't advise anyone to buy a -II. The AU-D11-II is DC coupled throughout. This means there are no capacitors in the signal path and DC voltage is allowed to pass. Each stage has a DC offset adjustment. If the adjustments are off, or the adjustment pots get dirty, a DC voltage will be present and amplified as i goes through each stage, putting a DC voltage on the output that can damage your speakers.
The AU-D11-II is also a balanced design, using 2 identical amplifiers operating in push pull. They have DC adjustments on the amplifier stages to get rid of the DC voltage on the output, and to make sure the amplifiers are in perfect balance. Same problems as with the pots in the other stages. It's a design that is way more complicated than it needs to be and doesn't sound any better than the AU-919. (Sorry Carl.) If it's working, that's great, don't dump it. The AU-D11 doesn't have these issues, only the AU-D11-II.

[Hyperion]

Just take a look at my sig - you will know which one I would pick.

John

[BK201]

Well, the 919 claims FR of DC to 500,000 Hz and the D11 only DC to 300,000 Hz :D

I prefer the look of the toggle switches on the 919 to the push buttons on the D11

I pick AU-919 :yes:

[dr*audio]

Another Clevelander! Howdy!

Well, the 919 claims FR of DC to 500,000 Hz and the D11 only DC to 300,000 Hz :D

I prefer the look of the toggle switches on the 919 to the push buttons on the D11

I pick AU-919 :yes:

[onepixel]

... (Sorry Carl.) If it's working, that's great, don't dump it. The AU-D11 doesn't have these issues, only the AU-D11-II.


That's why I got the AU-D11!

Sometimes newer is better and sometimes not... :D

[klondike]

It they both work, I'd pick D11-II. D11-II is very different from D-11 in the power amp section as Dr*audio stated. D11-II has incredibly low THD of 0.0028% (half of the already excellent D-11) which requires significant engineering efforts to achieve that level of excellence.

Although human's ears may not be able to tell the difference as long as the THD is lower that 0.1 % but as a practical engineer, I appreciates it. It's *very* difficult to find a modern Hi-Fi amp with such low thd.

Dr*Audio is also right on that D-11 II has more moving parts that's more difficult and expensive to fix and adjust. As long as the power transformer is ok, it's not a problem for me since I did all the repairs myself, YMMV.

I'm currently working on fixing a completely dead (both channels) D11-II which requires a lot of overhauling or even re-layout the protector boards. Once it's up, I'm going to run Fast Fourier Transform and step/ramp test against it to see how good it performs.

[BK201]

Another Clevelander! Howdy!

Many greetings fellow Clevelander!

[rabbit]

The AU-919 has hard to get metal can output transistors whereas I believe the AUD-11 uses the more common flat pack devices which are easier to find ;)

Also the AU-919 has non standard PS caps which are prone to venting and it is impossible to find the same caps with the same foot print :(

I have an AU-919 and it's a keeper for me ;) It has the original Sanken NMC/NMA output transistors and is built like a proverbial tank. It represented a turning point for Sansui engineering in the early days ;) Also Audio mag reviewed its stable mates the CA-F1/BA-F1 and said that it gave valve amps a run for their money ;)

[CDFixer]

Also the AU-919 has non standard PS caps which are prone to venting and it is impossible to find the same caps with the same foot print :(




The caps in the 919 PS (and the G-9000) are relatively easy to repair, if you have a little patience. Here is the post of the cap "restoration"


http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=123890

[Duffinator]

I've never heard the D11-II before but I own an AU-919 and have heard Carl's D11. You can't go wrong with either. One thing to consider is the 919 does not have a loudness switch while I think the others do. The 919 is capable of seperating the pre and amp which is a nice feature to have and I plan on using that function soon. The 919 also has rack handles and input for MC carts.