Thanks Martin 👍

There is no right or wrong, necessarily, just preferences, as has been said.

I wouldnt be without my tt/vinyl and cd/cdp - sound is sensational to my ears and works for me.

Pioneer made some serious receivers back in the '70's.

The SX-1980, for example, is something, the likes of we'll likely never see produced again, a monster of a thing, most definitely from the heyday of hifi.

Massive in every way, physically and one heck of a powerful thing, in fact the most powerful receiver ever manufactured, to date.

270 wpc @ 8 ohms, and still tested to be way more than that, in fact in one test, it was found to be producing nearly 460 wpc short term power, under the test conditions used.

Some years ago, when my daughters were little girls, they are 25 and 21 now, The older guy I'd bought my first Pioneer PD-91 cdp from, invited me down to his home, so he could re-attach the cdp's laser lens, which had become detached during courier to mine.

Anyway when my friend and I entered his rather nice home, we were taken to an Aladdin's cave of desirable amps, cdps etc, including said SX-1980 - 22 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and 8.25 inches high, all 35 kg's of it.
Of course we talked about it and other beautiful pieces he had, some for sale, some being repaired, some part of his collection.

Unfortunately we didn't get to hear the SX-1980, it was being repaired, but once you've seen one in the flesh you never forget. One of those rare, extravagant, statement pieces all the Japanese manufacturers would produce, competing with each other, during the 70's / 80's hey day.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_SX-1980

www.tapeheads.net/threads/the-legendary-pioneer-sx-1980.326/

gearforlife.com/best-vintage-receiver/

Hey Jules!, all good thanks, hope you and yours are all keeping good too, hope you're enjoying the new amplification 

Thanks! for the contact info Slinger, very much appreciated  

The Plinny is wonderful and just what I wanted and hoped for, I'm certainly not alone www.audioreview.com/product/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/plinius/9200.html 

The Sansui is up for sale, it is rare, beautiful and sounds good, I've thoroughly enjoyed it, the four years I've had it, but it cant compete with the 9200.

Indeed, the Aurorasound Vida Prima is a cracking bit of kit, like the Plinny, it is honest and truthful and allows the cart to show it's prowess - regarded as a bit of a bargain, considering what these things can cost. It will be all most audio folk will need, which I've read and have to agree, based on my own experience, quality thing.  highend-electronics.com/products/aurorasound-vida-prima-phono-stage#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20very%20truthful,from%20your%20thoughts...%22

I'm work from home or in office throughout the week, busy evenings, and weekends in Kent, as I have senior folk to support, but you dont need to hear the Plinny. I didnt hear one, neither the Aurorasound, PD-91, Cadenza Black, or the Spendors, took a punt based on informing myself and trusting the gut instinct and all are fab. 

The current Plinius Hautonga replaced the 9200 and is, I'm led to believe, pretty much an 'improved' 9200, you may be able to get a listen to one from a dealer. Note, they like to be left on, so do not judge one from cold, only after days on, as a minimum - BIG difference in what you'll hear and appreciate.   

TT
Technics SP10 Mk2 - Panzerholtz plinth - Technics EPA A250 Tonearm - Ortofon Cadenza Black-Fritz Gyger S re-tip 

Phonostage
Aurorasound Vida Prima

Amplification
Plinius 9200

CDP
Pioneer PD-91

Speakers
Spendor D7

235 by

239 by

They were never going to change a thing, never. money talks, change of guard. Nearly half of Holland at every F1 race, equalling big money that they want to guarantee keeping and carry forward / increase by giving them a champion to now follow - stinks! As I say, money talks