Any thoughts on Technics SU-R 1000 "reference" amp

[hsertic]

Does anybody have any experience with Technics SU-R 1000 amp? I have read glowing reviews and I am considering buying one to drive my Kef Reference Meta 1 with Sonos Port as a source.
Since it is five years old, I wonder if the mk2 will be announced soon.

Many thanks!

Hrvoje

 

[JSmith]

Technics SU-R 1000

Sure looks nice with the meters... but for $10K and in general these distortion specs are very poor tbh;

Output Power 150W + 150W ( 1kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 8Ω, 20kHz LPF ), 300W + 300W ( 1kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 4Ω, 20kHz LPF )
FTC Output Power 150W + 150W(20-20kHz,THD+N: 0.5%,8Ω)
Output Power 150W + 150W ( 1kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 8Ω, 20kHz LPF ), 300W + 300W ( 1kHz, T.H.D. 0.5 %, 4Ω, 20kHz LPF )
FTC Output Power 150W + 150W(20-20kHz,THD+N :0.5%,8Ω)

Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-R1000

Equipped with the next evolution of our full digital amplifier technology, the SU-R1000 produces an ideal sound that conveys all the richness and life of the original without any loss of fidelity. The SU-R1000 breaks through to a new world of sound, with superior sound quality and functionality...

us.technics.com

JSmith

 

[tomchris]

Nice looking amp! Although, Technics should have kept the appearance completely “analogue” and not used a digital input display. Perhaps flipped it on its head, thus keeping the VU meters on the top as seen on Technics' vintage amplifiers

 

[Ropeburn]

Sure looks nice with the meters... but for $10K and in general these distortion specs are very poor tbh;

Stereo Integrated Amplifier SU-R1000

Equipped with the next evolution of our full digital amplifier technology, the SU-R1000 produces an ideal sound that conveys all the richness and life of the original without any loss of fidelity. The SU-R1000 breaks through to a new world of sound, with superior sound quality and functionality...

us.technics.com

JSmith

These are power specs, not distortion. And they even listed the conditions and chose 0.5% instead of the usual 1%, nothing to complain about. 150W into 8 and 300W into 4 Ohm looks really good too and suggests a hefty power supply.

 

[JSmith]

These are power specs, not distortion.

Absolutely, I didn't read that at all did I? Thats what I get for haste posting at the end of a long day...

Technics do not list any distortion figures on their site and want email sign up for a PDF.

So now looking into this properly, JA@Sterophile tested it years ago... and testing shows great results;

Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com

Sidebar 3: Measurements I started testing the sample of the Technics SU-R1000 that KM had auditioned, serial number GJ1001007, with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It). However, while I was performing the small-signal tests, the amplifier turned itself off. The...

www.stereophile.com

hefty power supply

JSmith

 

[Ropeburn]

Absolutely, I didn't read that at all did I? Thats what I get for haste posting at the end of a long day...

Technics do not list any distortion figures on their site and want email sign up for a PDF.

So now looking into this properly, JA@Sterophile tested it years ago... and testing shows great results;

Technics SU-R1000 integrated amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com

Sidebar 3: Measurements I started testing the sample of the Technics SU-R1000 that KM had auditioned, serial number GJ1001007, with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 As We See It). However, while I was performing the small-signal tests, the amplifier turned itself off. The...

www.stereophile.com

View attachment 459525

View attachment 459524

JSmith

Looks nice! What's not so nice is the rather pronounced load dependency. I expect Hypex UcD performance in that regard from an amplifier that expensive. Disappointing design.

 

[Bland_username42069]

The phono stage is the star of the show in this amp. If you’re not using a turntable I’d go for their smaller amp or a lyngdorf personally

 

[respice finem]

Nice looking amp! Although, Technics should have kept the appearance completely “analogue” and not used a digital input display. Perhaps flipped it on its head, thus keeping the VU meters on the top as seen on Technics' vintage amplifiers

BTW: Nice, yes, but the bit that I don't quite get is, why are the VU meters so (relatively) small and deeply recessed. If I had this amp standing low, i would probably not see them entirely. The Technics from their "golden years" were maybe less stylish, but IMHO more practical in this aspect.

vintage technics amp vu meters at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

 

[Roland68]

Does anybody have any experience with Technics SU-R 1000 amp? I have read glowing reviews and I am considering buying one to drive my Kef Reference Meta 1 with Sonos Port as a source.
Since it is five years old, I wonder if the mk2 will be announced soon.

Many thanks!

Hrvoje

An interesting question would be whether it would actually be better, or sound better, than a 3E Audio A7 or two Topping B200s with a preamp like the PRE90 or A70 Pro.
Alternatively, a Sabaj A30a.

Because that's a few thousand euros/dollars difference in price.

 

[Bland_username42069]

Looks nice! What's not so nice is the rather pronounced load dependency. I expect Hypex UcD performance in that regard from an amplifier that expensive. Disappointing design.

It’s sorts its life out through “Load Adaptive Phase Calibration”. It sends test tones to the speakers and then corrects itself that way

 

[hsertic]

The phono stage is the star of the show in this amp. If you’re not using a turntable I’d go for their smaller amp or a lyngdorf personally

Agree, but I do not use turntable. I am looking to replace/improve on Sonos AMP that is currently driving Kef speakers. I have been looking at SU-G700Mk2, which is 3x cheaper and it has pretty good reviews, but everywhere I have looked it seems that SU-R1000 is much better sonically.

 

[hsertic]

An interesting question would be whether it would actually be better, or sound better, than a 3E Audio A7 or two Topping B200s with a preamp like the PRE90 or A70 Pro.
Alternatively, a Sabaj A30a.

Because that's a few thousand euros/dollars difference in price.

I think it will certainly sound no better than top of the line Topping, but I am looking for one box solution (with internall power supply).

 

[Bland_username42069]

Agree, but I do not use turntable. I am looking to replace/improve on Sonos AMP that is currently driving Kef speakers. I have been looking at SU-G700Mk2, which is 3x cheaper and it has pretty good reviews, but everywhere I have looked it seems that SU-R1000 is much better sonically.

It will sound no different to the R1000. Same great build quality and looks. What one is paying for with the R1000 is a very high end phono stage that you will never use.

I am sure there are other equally good alternatives but Lyngdorf looks very good to me with its room correction functions.

 

[hsertic]

It will sound no different to the R1000. Same great build quality and looks. What one is paying for with the R1000 is a very high end phono stage that you will never use.

I am sure there are other equally good alternatives but Lyngdorf looks very good to me with its room correction functions.

Thanks! Which Lyngdorf do you suggest? I have checked TDAI-3400, but that one is from 2019, and not performed so well in Amir test.
I have NAD M33, and I have not managed to get good room correction with Dirac, so I wonder how will Lyngdorf perform.

 

[Bland_username42069]

Thanks! Which Lyngdorf do you suggest? I have checked TDAI-3400, but that one is from 2019, and not performed so well in Amir test.
I have NAD M33, and I have not managed to get good room correction with Dirac, so I wonder how will Lyngdorf perform.

I liked the look of Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 (if it has enough power for you). It looked a nice simple solution with easy room correction.

Technics Gx 70 was good too (if you need hdmi) when I was looking but I’m sure there are plenty more excellent options

At some point it becomes what will look good in your room rather than inaudible number chasing.

(I ended up with R1000 because I wanted an all in one and the self calibrating phono stage was huge selling point to me but a house move hold up means somewhat embarrassingly it’s still in the box…)

 

[Roland68]

I think it will certainly sound no better than top of the line Topping, but I am looking for one box solution (with internall power supply).

Then maybe the Sabaj A30a would be worth a look if you can manage with a simple little box.
Some people in the forum and among my friends have tested it against various high-priced amplifiers and kept it. I actually bought it just for fun, and I forfeited my €6,000 amplifier.

The A30a is ideal for digital sources because it's completely digital and doesn't require a DAC.

 

[tomchris]

Maybe a preamplifer+ power amplifier(s) combo instead of an integrated amplifier?

 

[hsertic]

Maybe a preamplifer+ power amplifier(s) combo instead of an integrated amplifier?

Yes, maybe, I am currently looking at NAD M66+M23 combo. That would certainly measure better than Technics.

 

[Kremmen]

BTW: Nice, yes, but the bit that I don't quite get is, why are the VU meters so (relatively) small and deeply recessed. If I had this amp standing low, i would probably not see them entirely. The Technics from their "golden years" were maybe less stylish, but IMHO more practical in this aspect.

vintage technics amp vu meters at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

I agree. The meters are far too small, especially in relation to the huge expanse of recessed, white plastic surrounding them. The whole amp looks ugly and imbalanced to me. Each to their own of course, but I've seen far better implementations of VU meters on countless amps over the years.

 

[Roland68]

Yes, maybe, I am currently looking at NAD M66+M23 combo. That would certainly measure better than Technics.

I'd also suggest the Yamaha A-S3200.
The amplifier's symmetrical circuitry, built like a tank (in literally every way), beautifully integrated UV meters, impressive sound (for me), a 5-year warranty, and €600 cash back until July 13, 2025.