The SANSUI AU-D 707X Dicade is considered one of Sansui’s masterpieces.
For more details, please see Audio Heritage. The amplifier uses X-balance, which was introduced in the final stage of the AU-D series known as Sunstone, and Dicade was particularly well received by the public, which led to its purchase.
Audio Heritage
https://audio-heritage.jp/SANSUI/amp/au-d707xdecade.html
Reasons for selection SUNSUI AU-D 707X Dicade
I had never checked the sound of the actual unit, and based on a few word-of-mouth reviews, I felt that this amplifier could produce something close to the sound I was looking for.
I had originally used the AU-D 907F, also by Sansui, but thought it was a bit mature.
When I purchased the AU-D707X Decade, I was using a SONT CDP-X555ESX CD player with a thick mid-bass sound quality, and I wanted to add more punch to the sound.
Also, I am using Sansui SP-100i speakers, which have a wonderful mid-bass sound, we chose an amplifier that would be compatible with the speakers.
Characteristics and Sound Quality
The mids and lows sound great, as does the thick sound of the circuitry using X-balance.
Especially in love with songs featuring vocals and the sound of live instruments.
However, the speed of the sound is heavy and slow, so electronic music does not really sound well.
Vocals are also not well balanced when electric guitars and programming are mixed in. So I had to set up a small sub speaker to balance it out.
It still does not sound modern well. However, only certain genres have a sound that can only be experienced with this model.
Is there a secret in the circuit?
I realized something when I was trying to figure out if I could successfully combine digital data and analog data playback through a thought process.
I was using “ONKYO’s R-N855(S)” as a digital amplifier and line output from it to “AU-D707X Decade”, but I still could not make the recent digital data sound well.
However, CDs sound better through the “AU-D707X Decade”, so I was wondering how to use it.
My main listening is compressed Spotify data, I bought a Chinese power amplifier (FX-AUDIO- FX-98E) to do so.
Although quite cumbersome, digital sound sources are connected as follows.
CDs and records were used in connection with
Incidentally, the “AU-D707X Decade” does not have an external output, so the REC terminal is used for “FX-AUDIO- FX-98E” LINE output.
In this case, volume control is not possible on the Sansui amplifier side, the sound is actually increased by “FX-AUDIO- FX-98E” through “AU-D707X Decade”.
What I thought was great about Sansui was that the sansui tone comes on just through this amp.
It loses its sharpness, but the sound becomes softer and more flavorful.
Malfunctions are bound to occur
Currently, I am not using this amplifier.
The circuit became locked up after prolonged use and was not stable in any way, so I decided to remove it from the configuration.
The repair can probably be done for about 20,000 yen, but for Spotify sound, I can honestly say that the sound is smaller and more separated without the SANSUI amp, so it is only useful as a CD/record-only device.
My sub speakers have broken over the past year and I have been hesitant to send them in for repair because of the systemic problems with this amplifier.
But there are times when I really want to hear the sound of this amplifier. There is no doubt that when it get hooked, the sound is wonderful and irreplaceable.
Far from it, the high-spec, low-priced Chinese amplifiers are wonderful for sounding digital sound sources.
Now I have been beaten by the cost performance of Chinese amplifiers, but I will never forget the sound of that Sansui.