Added a Schiit Freya+ to a Sansui 8080

Hi wolf_garcia -

I have been around hi-fi literally for almost seven decades; my dad sold and repaired the stuff for a living, so I can't remember a time when stereos were not part of my life.  I was testing tubes for my dad when I was 5.  My statement that stereos back then were 'tuned for analog' means just that, there was only analog.  So yes, LPs, tape, and radio were the only things on the menu at the time.  There were no CDs, SACDs, Blu Ray audio, streaming, or HD anything.  

I don't think that you, myself, and the original poster disagree here.  We have all recognized that today's stereos sound different, with the nod being given to today's stuff as sounding more accurate.  There is a YouTube video out there with Paul McGowan (PSA fame) saying just that and to him, it's not even close.  

To some, the vintage sound is worth chasing, but to me that is nostalgia talking.  I started out with Philco & Voice of Music equipment.  Graduated to SONY and there must be at least a dozen or more brands that have made their appearance since then.  I chased vintage 22XX Marantz receivers at one point, but outside of FM radio, they didn't quite do it for me.  

One of my buddies had Sansui equipment that sounded nice, better than my SONY.  Another buddy moved up from a KLH compact to a McIntosh/ Bose 901 combo (his dad had a cash business), but truth be known, I liked the KLH better.  

And so it goes.  No reason to shade stereos from 40 and 50 years ago.  How and what I listen for has changed dramatically.  I think you would agree.

Rich 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iApp9vIQihs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbIWGo2zCfY

@ steam_engine

Might be a question of impedance matching between Freya+ and the 8080, variable with frequency?

Forge ahead! 👍

rar1:  Did you enjoy your EPI 100’s?  I held onto mine for 20 years through high school and college (hung onto Dynaco Stereo 70/ PAS3X Thorens TD121/Grace707) until I replaced them with Martin-Logan CLS’s in the 90’s.  Linear the EPI’s weren’t, with a big scoop in the midrange.  But I loved them for the way they could make Jan Gabarek’s acerbic tenor saxophone tone listenable.  I swear his reeds were made of metal..

@steam_engine enjoy what sounds good to you.  It’s really easy to chase tweaks and changes in the pursuit of better and lose the magic of what got you excited in the first place.  If you like your vintage Sansui, enjoy it!  Measurements and specs will tell you even a really modest amp / receiver is light years beyond the 8080 but that in no way means it will sound better to you.  Digital measure “better” than spinning records yet look at how many Audiophiles prefer the later.  Also look at how big the “Vintage Audio” market has gotten, there is large group of folks that swear by the right vintage gear being better than new, more modern gear.  Find what you like and enjoy it, your ears are the only ones that matter.  If it were me, I’d keep both the Freya and 8080, grab an amp for the Freya and then you can compare the different set ups.  Rich gives some great advice and insight on vintage gear, in essence it was designed to make the different mediums available sound their best, FM Tuners, Tapes, Records.  They were far from perfect, units were designed to make the front end of the equation sound as good as it could.  If you pair new, high end gear from today with those sources from back in the day, likely would sound terrible, would highlight every weakness, all that’s missing or flawed.  Good luck!!  Enjoy!!