Problem:
Can't enjoy record collection due to integrated speaker amps on the glitch, 6+mo bench wait for repair.
Setup:
Turntable (Dual 1219)
Integrated Speaker Amps (Sansui 5000 primary) (Stereotech 1200 backup)
Speakers (Bozak Rhapsody B-401 8ohm 15/60w)
Headphones (Meze 99 Classics, Senn HD25-1 II)
Available Equipment:
harmon/kardon AVR65
iMac Retina 5K, 2019
Temporary Solution:
1219 -> Sansui phono -> Sansui tape -> h/k line in -> headphone jack*
*this solution sucks so bad, sound is baseless and lacking everywhere.
I’m in the middle of an ongoing series of moves, so I’m trying to keep the bulk of my music library and equipment in storage until the final move. I’ve decided to use this as an opportunity to dive into headphones and pare down my record collection listening to as many as possible and recording the rarer ones. After decades of audio bliss and trouble free operation with the Dual/Sansui/Bozak combination, I've had no need to keep up with advancements over the years so I feel limited in my knowledge of modern advancements. My budget is likely under $500 as I just want something to get me through the wait of getting the vintage amps repaired as well as hopefully give me a way to record. I think this leads me to a need for a phono stage, a headphone amp/jack (my headphones are low imp, 32), and bonus for ADC that plays with a Mac. I see things like the Cambridge Alva Duo which lacks the computer connection but would give me the phono stage and headphone for pretty cheap. My concern comes from my temporary solution. When I plug my phones into the h/k, the sound is weak and thin. Not like the signal isn't line level, but there is very little bottom end and sounds very lacking. Plug into the Sansui and the world opens up and bottom end shakes your eyeballs with the Meze. Same with CD source: Sansui headphone = wow, h/k headphone = meh. Why is that? Anyway, trying to find a fix while waiting for the repair and hoping to add recording ability.
What's wrong with the Sansui you ask? I think one of the boards has bad caps; my right stereo channel isn't there—speaker or headphone. Is that something a layman could fix safely?
Can't enjoy record collection due to integrated speaker amps on the glitch, 6+mo bench wait for repair.
Setup:
Turntable (Dual 1219)
Integrated Speaker Amps (Sansui 5000 primary) (Stereotech 1200 backup)
Speakers (Bozak Rhapsody B-401 8ohm 15/60w)
Headphones (Meze 99 Classics, Senn HD25-1 II)
Available Equipment:
harmon/kardon AVR65
iMac Retina 5K, 2019
Temporary Solution:
1219 -> Sansui phono -> Sansui tape -> h/k line in -> headphone jack*
*this solution sucks so bad, sound is baseless and lacking everywhere.
I’m in the middle of an ongoing series of moves, so I’m trying to keep the bulk of my music library and equipment in storage until the final move. I’ve decided to use this as an opportunity to dive into headphones and pare down my record collection listening to as many as possible and recording the rarer ones. After decades of audio bliss and trouble free operation with the Dual/Sansui/Bozak combination, I've had no need to keep up with advancements over the years so I feel limited in my knowledge of modern advancements. My budget is likely under $500 as I just want something to get me through the wait of getting the vintage amps repaired as well as hopefully give me a way to record. I think this leads me to a need for a phono stage, a headphone amp/jack (my headphones are low imp, 32), and bonus for ADC that plays with a Mac. I see things like the Cambridge Alva Duo which lacks the computer connection but would give me the phono stage and headphone for pretty cheap. My concern comes from my temporary solution. When I plug my phones into the h/k, the sound is weak and thin. Not like the signal isn't line level, but there is very little bottom end and sounds very lacking. Plug into the Sansui and the world opens up and bottom end shakes your eyeballs with the Meze. Same with CD source: Sansui headphone = wow, h/k headphone = meh. Why is that? Anyway, trying to find a fix while waiting for the repair and hoping to add recording ability.
What's wrong with the Sansui you ask? I think one of the boards has bad caps; my right stereo channel isn't there—speaker or headphone. Is that something a layman could fix safely?