I have a mint sx-1250 and will have a sa-9900 & TX-9500 on the way if everything goes as planned. I am wondering which unit should produce better sound. The SA-9900 has 50 less watts but it is the TOTL and highest output for the 70's before getting into spec and 20 series. Some of the newer amps have better specs but I am a sucker for watts. I already have a spec-4 so I know how good they are but my wallet can't take that hit for a while :tears:

I know it all comes down to what my ears hear but I am so excited to try them that I need opinions to hold me over.

Well, I'm gonna say stay with the 1250. Just because I love it so much.
Your mileage may vary.

I agree with Eric -- you should cut your losses and send the 9900 and 9500 to me. ;)

dew.

The 9900 is the best integrated I have owned. I like it better than the Spec 4 I had. Never owned a receiver, never cared for them. Though I sold hundreds of them. You probably like the sound and headroom of the 9900 better than the 1250. The 9500 tuner will probably out perform the tuner section in the 1250. But not knowing your area, I'm only guessing there. The only thing I didn't like about the 9900 when I had it. The clear plastic around the volume knob that glows. It had a airbubble in it and it drove me crazy.

Doesn't the 9900 share the same preamp section as the Spec series? :scratch2:

Scott

I have a 9900 and a 1250 , I never A/B'ed them on the same speakers,but both sound very good to my tin ears. The 1250 is a better looking unit with the wood but the 9900 looks like all business, Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your new toy

I have a mint sx-1250 and will have a sa-9900 & TX-9500 on the way if everything goes as planned. I am wondering which unit should produce better sound. The SA-9900 has 50 less watts but it is the TOTL and highest output for the 70's before getting into spec and 20 series. Some of the newer amps have better specs but I am a sucker for watts. I already have a spec-4 so I know how good they are but my wallet can't take that hit for a while :tears:

I know it all comes down to what my ears hear but I am so excited to try them that I need opinions to hold me over.

I agree that your ears are the guide to resolving the dilemma for sound quality - I`ve always been of the opinion that you buy a hi-fi to listen to not to look at (the 70`s silver era does break that rule because they are beautiful items that you do want to look at) but, as for other reasonings for deciding which way to go I would say that having the tuner section separate to the amplifier section with the 9900/9500 combination would be better. Also, if something pops in the 1250, you may run the risk of it popping a lot of the other things within the unit - with the separates (9900/9500) they are separate entities and are independent of one another so no chance of that!! :yes: