sansui amp vs arcam????

[karma67]

hi,
ive been using my sansui au-505 amp for a while now and a friend suggested i think about upgrading to something better.
i like the sound very much and also it seems to be fine in my medium sized living room,ive kinda gone retro with my set up as i have mordaunt short pageant 2's hooked up to it.
the amp he suggested upgrading too is an arcam alpha 8r which gets good reviews online,my question is,is it a worth while upgrade?
the links below are to hifi engine specs on both amp,as im new to hifi i dont really understand them so perhaps people in the know can advise?

http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sansui/au-505.shtml

http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/arcam/alpha-8.shtml

thanks in advance!
j.

[synsei]

Honestly? I'd be tempted to stick with the AU505 if I were you as it is a solid sounding amp plus it sits nicely with the Pageants from a 'period' perspective, but that's just me ;)

[DarrenHW]

Can't offer you any advice but I'd be interested in buying your 505 if you're looking to move it on?

[karma67]

ok mate,i'll bear you in mind if i sell.

[istari_knight]

That would be a definite "side grade" IMO. Better to stick with the 'sui until you can drop a couple of hundred on a proper upgrade.

[rubber duck]

The Alpha 8 is hardly a new model and is an odd recommendation, unless there happens to be one available at a good price? Even then, if you're happy with the Sansui, I'd keep it; sounds like it may be more of a collector's item too. The specs don't really tell us much aside from the Arcam being more powerful, quieter and possibly cleaner sounding.

[karma67]

That would be a definite "side grade" IMO. Better to stick with the 'sui until you can drop a couple of hundred on a proper upgrade.

or perhaps a recap???

[istari_knight]

or perhaps a recap???

If you're otherwise happy with it then yeah, why not ? I doubt it would cost a couple of hundred to do... More like £50.

The old Sansui's are a joy to work on.

[DarrenHW]

If you're otherwise happy with it then yeah, why not ?

The old Sansui's are a joy to work on.

+1, just recapped a 101, first amp I've ever recapped very easy and enjoyable, can't say I notice a phenomenal improvement in SQ but worth the £7.00 investment for piece of mind.

[karma67]

well the amp cost me £60 so maybe a recap would be better,i see your in the same neck of the woods as me james,could you recomend someone you know to do the work?
regards,
j.

[istari_knight]

You have PM :)

[karma67]

so do you! lol

[walpurgis]

I'd stick with the AU-505 too. Old Sansui amps tend to sound decent enough, nice match to the excellent Pageant IIs as well.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Keep the Sui' I have a 719 and love it to pieces!

[karma67]

cheers guys,youve all helped me to go with keeping her,gonna go for a recap.

[synsei]

:)

[Xapito]

Sansui will walk all over it, I'll take it from you if you decide to sell :))