Having a background in producing and working with analytical equipment to hear if everything connects well, I would like to make a case for vintage amplifiers with a warm sound, a total opposite.
I have, over time mostly used analytical-"facing" amplifiers. It was all logic, hearing as much of information possible as I was used to. Until the point I went for old Sansui amplifiers, starting with the AU-101 (which is now in use for a secondary set, with the "magic" is in its loudness contour, not so much in its flat settings) and followed by the au-505 that of itself provides a floor of presence audio wise without any aides. Yes, I know that these amplifiers are totally not anywhere near monitor-quality like. In cases they cut off the razor sharp edges at some frequencies, I totally get the critics that this might be not something to look for, given heavy coloration, horrible measurements etc.
An image of the au101 on top of the au505, found on the net. Not my photo
But.. for multiple reasons I started to like them.
The Sansui AU-505 has this presence as earlier mentioned. A stable floor of bass, nothing that feels compressed, a nice roll-off and a great mid-range quality. When turning on the music is present at the start, turning the volume up is like lifting that presence, instead of just turning up the volume. When I turn on any modern amp, it is like a screen that barely has presence at low volumes (yes, I know.. loudness control is absent on my NAD) and can be too articulating. Something, which I admit, might be pleasant to others. I get why people like that, it is what should be presented.
But when listening to a recording through the au505 it is more theatrical, as sitting a bit away from what is performed on a stage in a theatre. A recording of a Hendrix album presents itself as atmospheric, not one to get lost in by listening to byproducts. It is the tone and the emotion. Not that much the 'sitting in between' the musicians as in a studio where every breath and tiny scratch is audible. Maybe analytical amps work for that as in 'I want to be there with the engineer', i get that.
When watching a film, the soundscape on one of these amps seems much more coherent and the film draws more attention to itself with the soundmixing coming up next. Recently I connected the NAD again, just to compare. But the first thing I noticed was that every added layer of sound drew my attention away as a collage, a knife being sharpened for example (with the most used stock sound for that purpose probably) It should be complimentary to what's on screen, not drawing attention to itself. But it was. It gave the blue print.The Au505 does not have that, the slicing sound is still there, but it does not become the most important thing at that moment. Which is what I personally prefer as a viewer.
The case that I would like to make is that I think it is not only the theatrical sense in music. Also films are being uplifted by the vintage toning. Maybe a bit comparable to why a 24fps frame rate film being properly color graded as well, feels theatrical, compared to a much higher frame rate with much more emphasis on clarity and sharpness.
A case for 'less is more'
Disclaimer : I know there are modern brands that should perhaps offer similar experiences, I know Luxman and others are there in the "vintage times" as well besides Sansui, but I could only write about these two from experience in a well treated room.
Anyone else who is on this bandwagon? : )
