Professional assessment of 50 Amplifiers

[Hyperion]

I just found a magazine published in the late 70s that gives an unbiassed review of 50 (or is it 49?) amplifiers. They give a full list of the test equipment used to achieve the results (-pretty amazing line up), and how each test was done.

It still makes interesting reading, and is in places quite shocking in what the testers find out about some amplifiers - like one with a power bandwith that runs out at 2.2Khz ! - however, they really put the amplifiers through the wringer so to speak - so maybe it's not too surprising.

Names in the list?... here are some...
Akai, Amcron, A&R, BGW, Harmon Kardon, Leak, Hitachi, Luxman, Marantz, Pioneer, Rotel, Sansui, Sanyo, Setton, Sugden, Technics, Toshiba, Trio, Yamaha. (if you want to know what models were tested just ask - I'll post a list)

There are 3 Sansui amplifiers reviewed, and they show up well - each being awarded a "Best Buy" status - they are AU-3900, AU7900 & AU-11000a - only a total of 7 amplifiers got this, less the 3 Sansuis, leaves 4 - nuff said. This was just one of the reasons I bought Sansui all those years ago, and I have never regretted it

John

 

[Johnny]

Very cool.

An info on the Hafler DH500 ?

j

 

[Hyperion]

Sorry the only H's are Harman Kardon & Hitachi...

John

 

[bolly]

ya gotta post the list hyperion! :thmbsp:

 

[LBPete]

That Magazine must have been from around 1974 or 75 to be testing those Sansui Models. Later on the bandwidth went even further. The G-22000/33000 are rated as "up to" 300,000 Hz.

- Pete

 

[Hyperion]

OK then... I suppose I knew it would happen

Accuphase E202, Akai AM-2600, Alpha FA-600, Amcron IC150 & D150A
A & R A60, Armstrong 621, Audiotronics LA-4040, BGW 100 & 202
Cambridge Audio P80, Eagle A6400, Harman Kardon A-401 & A-402
Hitachi HA-330, JVC JA-S11 & JA-S31, Leak 3900A, Lenco A50
Luxman 80V & 85V, Lux C1000 & M4000, Marantz 1030 & 1070 & 1250
Pioneer SA-6500 II & SA-8500 II & SA-9900, Quad 33 & 405,
Rotel RA-413 & RA-1412, Sansui AU-3900 & AU-7900 & AU-11000a
Sanyo DCA-1001, Setton 3300, Sony TA-2650 & 3650 & 5650,
Sugden A48 & C51 & P51, Technics SU-7300 & SU-7700 & SU-8080,
Toshiba SB-420, Trio KA-3500 & KA-7100 & Model 600,
Yamaha CA-610 & CA-810 & CA-2010.

Phew...

In a few cases there are power amplifiers and their matching pre amplifiers, a few on the list may not be known to our USA friends, being totally home (UK) grown - and never sold enough to warrant an export market.


To LBPete - that was "2.2Khz" (not 22Khz or 220Khz) - not a typo !!!


John

 

[Stene]

To LBPete - that was "2.2Khz" (not 22Khz or 220Khz) - not a typo !!!


John

Amplifier bandwidth :scratch2:
Seem to be something for a longwave radio

 

[ARJohn]

How did the Akai and the A&R fair out ? I have heard some nice Akai units and was a fan of the A&R models (AR60 ?)
thanks

 

[LBPete]

2.2k Hz = 2,200 Hz. With that frequency range the cross overs in your speakers wouldn't pass the signal to the tweeters. Are you sure you don't mean 220K Hz (220,000)?

- Pete

 

[OvenMaster]

Ooh! Ooh! Trio KA-3500 and Yamaha CA-2010!
Man, I wish you could scan that article...

Tom

 

[Acoustic]

Ooh! Ooh! Trio KA-3500 and Yamaha CA-2010!
Man, I wish you could scan that article...

Tom

And the Yamaha CA-810.... a scan request was on my mind also.

 

[Arkay]

Curious how the Marantz 1250 fared.

A scan would be 'fantabulous', too! :yes:

 

[Robisme]

That Magazine must have been from around 1974 or 75 to be testing those Sansui Models. Later on the bandwidth went even further. The G-22000/33000 are rated as "up to" 300,000 Hz.

- Pete

The AU-719 is DC to 400,000 at 1 watt. The 919 was even higher.

Rob

 

[mech986]

Sounds like an early Hi-Fi Choice annual review book. They did one in each catagory like Speakers, Amplifiers, Turntables, etc. The books are usually illustrated with frequency graph tests, 1-2 photos of the piece, and a description, technical test, and subjective listening panel comments, and then a recommendation.

Because its UK based, some products we in the US didin't see, and then later, many variations in Euro form, of many Japanese products.

Nice to see some scans if you have them.

Thanks!

Bart

 

[EchoWars]

....There are 3 Sansui amplifiers reviewed, and they show up well - each being awarded a "Best Buy" status - they are AU-3900, AU7900 & AU-11000a - only a total of 7 amplifiers got this, less the 3 Sansuis, leaves 4 - nuff said.

If they'd have had to attempt to repair them 30 years later, they'd likely revise that list.

 

[Hyperion]

2.2k Hz = 2,200 Hz. With that frequency range the cross overs in your speakers wouldn't pass the signal to the tweeters. Are you sure you don't mean 220K Hz (220,000)?

- Pete

Nope, what I and the review meant here is that the amplifier concerned (1 channel only affected) was so terrible (clearly faulty) that it would only produce ½ its rated output up to 2.2Khz - thereafter the power died away to a lesser figure, of course the frequency at which it would do this should have been a lot higher - as you have mentioned.

Fancy buying that, thinking it sounded wonderful, and not knowing :scratch2:

John

 

[Hyperion]

Sounds like an early Hi-Fi Choice annual review book. They did one in each catagory like Speakers, Amplifiers, Turntables, etc. The books are usually illustrated with frequency graph tests, 1-2 photos of the piece, and a description, technical test, and subjective listening panel comments, and then a recommendation.

Because its UK based, some products we in the US didin't see, and then later, many variations in Euro form, of many Japanese products.

Nice to see some scans if you have them.

Thanks!

Bart

Spot on Bart ! - I bought 4 of them and for different products as you state. I'll see if I can get my scanner fired up to accomodate you (and others).

John

 

[Hyperion]

To Acoustic, OvenMaster, ARJohn, Arkay,

I'll see if I can get my scanner working - its been disconnected now for a year - if I can, I will post those reviews.

John

 

[OvenMaster]

If you can, John, that'd be very much appreciated! :yes:
Tom

 

[whoaru99]

The AU-719 is DC to 400,000 at 1 watt. The 919 was even higher.

Rob

Perhaps, but this is not the same as power bandwidth.

Power bandwidth is the frequency range over which the amp can produce 1/2 it's rated power at the rated distortion.