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Thinking about Wilson Yvettes - Sansui AU717

Weird question but I’ve been on the low-power/high-efficiency side of the hobby for several years. Looking at going back to less efficient speakers, particularly looking at a set of Wilson Audio Yvettes. Would be trading in a ~40 watt class A (Sugden IA4) amp that isn’t a good fit with them and likely putting away my Tannoy Turnberry GRs in case I go back to high-efficiency. 


Could I safely use a recapped Sansui AU717 while pondering a Rotel Michi, Marantz PM10, or Yamaha A-S3200? The amplifier’s manual is very specific about not using 2 pairs of 4 ohm speakers and is spec’d for 8 ohm. Wondering if the Wilson’s might be too much of a challenge or if it’s not worth risking even for a couple of months. Wish I still had my GSI75 as that would be perfect for these. 
 

This has to be the first Wilson/Sansui post. In my defense, I wasn’t thinking about Wilson speakers at all. Walked into a dealer and saw a very vintage looking color on the Yvettes—friend who works there mentioned that the Yvettes were considered warmer sounding by Wilson standards which is right up my alley. 🤣

miesdavis
decooney
2,564 posts
 

As a former AU717 owner years ago, and using it with slightly more efficient speakers, it's fairly easy to confirm this is not a good pairing with Wilson Audio Yvettes - even for a few months. Best to get the right amp(s) for those speakers if you purchase them, 86db, nominal dips to 2.9ohms, takes a capable amp with some current to get what's needed to make them sound right even at low levels, imo. Best of Luck.    

blackbag20's avatar
blackbag20
621 posts
 

Agree, you need some beef to make a four ohm, 86 sensitivity speaker sing ...

Odyssey Kismet or similar ...

 

 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
1,054 posts
 

@OP If you are going to use a pair of Wilson Yvettes, you'll need a much better amp than any of the ones you have listed.

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
381 posts
 

Look for a used Levinson power amp from the 90s. I have an ML No. 27 Spec is 100W into 8 ohms, but can deliver 200 watts to 4 ohms and 350 watts to 2 ohms. Stably.

It drives my Revel f208 speakers, a load that needs a low of current.

In looking for a replacement, read carefully how the amp responds to 4 ohm loads. If the spec power rating is not double the rating at 8 ohms, then that amp will probably not work for you.

996turbo911
205 posts
 

I agree with the above ideas about using an affordable amp like Schiit or Odyssey. Or else going old school with some big heavy Aragon, Lexicon, Counterpoint, Levinson, or something like that. 

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