Ampha AU-Alpha607-MRX

[1420-1503]

Bonsoir !

Sorry i forget our last thrad ! :headscrat

This one was a unique occasion to buy, because very "rare model"

Bonsoir monsieur! Yes I think you've done well buying it. I'm feeling happy for you. Thanks for sharing the joy. (I'd have loved that amp myself, but..no fund now for this)

 

[Gilbert2]

btw, Gilbert I didn't buy the second AU-X1111MosV. I was going to pay that money but I'm in the process of moving to Brussels now and have that in my head; btw will have to use the money as a 'garanty' for renting a flat. Too bad though.

AU-907DR is similar with AU-X1111MosV.

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7547503870&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

Thank you and i hope also you can find the good one !

 

[1420-1503]

It's true they look very similar. It even has the cost-no-object Tamura transformer. I'm sure that should be a great amp, but I find the price a bit too high though. The AU-X1111Mos V is still more powerfull, rare and better finished. (e.g. backlit tinted glass front panel vs painted, rounded side panels, etc)

It's interesting to note the different lay out of heatsinks.

 

[Gilbert2]

Of course this one is too much expensive... :scratch2:

That's exactly wath i was supposed, the AU-X1111 is superior, justifing his designation "The King"

 

[sandawa]

just a small contribution to this info sharing. when i got my Alpha 907 three years ago, my best amps, Musical Fidelity A-120 (40wpc class A) and an Accuphase E-302 (120wpc 8 ohms), were simply blown away. not only was Alpha 907 more powerful, sound quality - transparency, clarity, etc - were at least two notches up compared with the best i had. i also acquired an AU-XII two years ago but it doesn't measure up to the Alpha 907. a Japanese Sansui enthusiast told me, however, AU-XIII and AU-XIIII, as well as the newer Alpha 907 models, sound even better.

the Alpha 907 uncovered

the AU-XII

 

[eradoncic]

If you've listened to these series of amplifiers, tdid you notice a liquid 3-dimensional sound? I'm asking this because I'm curious for a similarity with the au-x1111MosV and it's is how I can best describe its strenght. The sound enveloppes you so you can set volume level low and still feel presence and don't need a loudness switch. (although it has a 'presence' switch)

Well, that's correct. Au AU-X1 - X1111 is above the all ITS contemporary models at the time of the production and the "trend-setter" for the future models.
For example: AU-X11 was the base for all models of 80's, AU-X111 an X1111 were all-MOSFET designs, which is the base of several models (unfortunatelly, unknown models to western markets), such are: AU-alpha 607MOS Vintage, -MOS premium, 907MOS, 07 Anniversary, etc.

Those models are probably the best sounding (although the term "best" in audio is restricted to subjectivity), so I would say thjat the sound of AU-X1 to AU-X1111 are by definition better sounding.
The generation of amps made during 1990's are very close in sonic term, spatious, detailed and above all -musical. However, good implementation of mosfet technology yields always better and more "valve like" sound, and this was one of the most important Sansui goal - to achieve transistor based valve sound.

 

[1420-1503]

just a small contribution to this info sharing. when i got my Alpha 907 three years ago, my best amps, Musical Fidelity A-120 (40wpc class A) and an Accuphase E-302 (120wpc 8 ohms), were simply blown away. not only was Alpha 907 more powerful, sound quality - transparency, clarity, etc - were at least two notches up compared with the best i had. i also acquired an AU-XII two years ago but it doesn't measure up to the Alpha 907. a Japanese Sansui enthusiast told me, however, AU-XIII and AU-XIIII, as well as the newer Alpha 907 models, sound even better.

Other then the clear, transparant and powerfull sound, did you notice your au-al907 having a rich valve-like sound compared to the other older Sansui models? I'm interested to learn from which model on Sansui started to achieve to get this sound.

I think this is an important achievement. I wonder if it's possible they are the most musical SS amplifiers? The AU-X1111 which I acquired from a high-end dealer who's specialised into modern high-end components, after the sale he said for the moment he had this amp, it had been his reference. "the one all had to be judged against" He's not been familiar with too many other Sansui models. The other notable model he's known is a AU-X1 which he said was no match for the AU-X1111.
Also, at this time I was into my AU-919 and brought it along before I'd buy the expensive au-X1111. I also compared it to an Audio Compagniet amplifier.
These are good amps, but sounded 'nasal' in comparison. This is phenomenal because before I heard the AU-X1111 I thought the AU-919 was extremely open, detailed and clear.

At one time Sansui strived to match the glowing sound of AU-111 using solid-state technology.
To read in what degree they achieved their goal, I have added the following link which takes you to a side-by-side comparison of their valve masterpiece AU-111 and masterpiece transistor amp AU-AL907mr by a Japanese Sansui passionate and author of sansui.us:
AU-111 vs AU-ALPHA907mr

 

[1420-1503]

Well, that's correct. Au AU-X1 - X1111 is above the all ITS contemporary models at the time of the production and the "trend-setter" for the future models.
For example: AU-X11 was the base for all models of 80's,.

AU-X111 an X1111 were all-MOSFET designs, which is the base of several models (unfortunatelly, unknown models to western markets), such are: AU-alpha 607MOS Vintage, -MOS premium, 907MOS, 07 Anniversary, etc

Those models are probably the best sounding (although the term "best" in audio is restricted to subjectivity), so I would say thjat the sound of AU-X1 to AU-X1111 are by definition better sounding..

Better sounding then its contemporaries, it's possible however I think, in the case of AU-X1111, that it had been surmatched by one of the late Sansui top models. I'm thinking this because there had been 12 years since there had not been a followup from the 'prototype' or 'trendsetter' series. Perhaps couple of their last transistor effort was something special, a final statement, in a way to say good-bye.

The generation of amps made during 1990's are very close in sonic term, spatious, detailed and above all -musical. However, good implementation of mosfet technology yields always better and more "valve like" sound, and this was one of the most important Sansui goal - to achieve transistor based valve sound

Yes I think that's the AU-X1111 is aswell, in sonic-terms.

I'd think there's more to it then just the use of a mosfet design that yields to this spacious sound. I think Denon has been making mid-priced MOSFET based amps during last coupe of years. I'd doubt they would anything as good as the Sansui's because, I don't know if you read my previous post and comment on the high-end dealer where I bought my AU-X1111, it was his reference while specialised on new high-end components.

 

[eradoncic]

I'm interested to learn from which model on Sansui started to achieve to get this sound.

As far as I know, this tradition was started with the 14th generation of alpha series, in the western market well known AU-X901 and Au-X701. However, it should be noted again - X901 was the analog of domestic Au-α707(i) and X701 to Au-α607(i). The Au-α907 as TOTL in Japan was never exported in the west market.
The only two models of real 907's exported to my knowledge are AU-α907DR and AU-α907MRX. The in-between models (-XR, -KX) and the last one, 907NRA, never reached western market.
The valve-like sound was finaly achieved in MRX series

 

[eradoncic]

I'd think there's more to it then just the use of a mosfet design that yields to this spacious sound. I think Denon has been making mid-priced MOSFET based amps during last coupe of years. I'd doubt they would anything as good as the Sansui's because, I don't know if you read my previous post and comment on the high-end dealer where I bought my AU-X1111, it was his reference while specialised on new high-end components.

I completelly agree with you, and my post is in no way in contradiction with your opinion.
There's lot more to do for the amplifier to sound correct, and Sansui had really long tradition and pioneering skill.
Your AU-X1111 stays as the last champion and state of the art Sansui amp, never bettered. Maybe the AU-α07 Anniversary is better executed (and has some new parts inside), but very small number of lucky people will witnessed to that, since this amp is produced in very limited numbers and (this is fascinating to me) from the reserve parts of service network!
According to occasional japanaise auctions, this model is regarded as really special, according to starting price (always more than 1k$$)

I'm curious, did you bought your AU-X1111 from Netherlands? Here? http://www.hifimakelaar.nl/

I'm asking since I was ready to buy one such amp some 1-1,5yr, used only occasionally, but it was almost imposiible to transport 40kg from Netherland to Croatia, where I'm living. It would cost me a fortune

Regards

 

[1420-1503]

You guessed well for hifimakelaar.nl; I could hardly believe that particular model being offered for sale less then 200km away from my home. A dream. But I never thought I was going to pay this much for an amp. However, I'd been collecting money for months and did the imprevisible.

Do you know by any chance, how many au-x1111 were produced, and perhaps why so few are offered in the second hand market? A possible explanation I see for this is that most were sold in the domestic market.

 

[1420-1503]

For people who want to see a clear chronology of the '07' generations including the anniversary model I'm including link to a rather hard to find page:

http://page.freett.com/knisi/sansui07.htm

 

[Morden2004]

TOTL units

I thought you all might be interested in the sale of these TOTL units on eBay so I ran a query to extract just the AU-X.... and the AU-alpha (which we code as AU-a....) so here it is:

Model Sold for Sale Date
AU-a607MRX $779.00 07-Feb-04
AU-a607MRX $613.36 15-Jul-04
AU-a907MRX $640.00 23-Mar-04
AU-X1 $760.00 29-Feb-04
AU-X1 $636.00 03-Mar-04
AU-X1 $461.78 05-Apr-04
AU-X1 $425.00 10-Dec-03
AU-X1 $407.50 10-Apr-04
AU-X1 $399.99 01-Nov-03
AU-X1 $330.00 27-Jun-05
AU-X301 $51.00 23-Mar-04
AU-X301 $50.51 08-Aug-04
AU-X501 $127.50 21-Nov-03
AU-X501 $80.00 24-Apr-05
AU-X501 $40.00 10-Jul-05
AU-X611AV $200.00 09-Apr-05
AU-X611AV $142.50 07-Sep-05
AU-X701 $208.50 01-Apr-04
AU-X901 $250.00 29-May-04

Models in this range that are not listed have not been traded on eBay.

Paul

 

[1420-1503]

Thanks Paul, for the list!

I wonder which one is more expensive to produce, giving they apparently sound nearly identical:

 

[eradoncic]

No, I have no idea how many are produced, but for the second part of your question, I could imagine that no too much amps were sold considering the recommended price at the time: 7000DM (!). If you convert now (as is now usual among dealers, since introduction of Euro), this will be some 7000€ - and that's too much money for an integrated amp.
It comes to my mind the legendary separates, B-2302 and C-2302, each of them was around 7000DM: And, remember, 14000DM at the end of 80's was goood money, you would by a good new car of medium class.

And, yes - the last AU-X1111 I saw, was offered some two months or so, on ebay.de and came from Athens. The askikng price was 2200€, much than hikfimakellar asked price. I don't know if someone bought them, it was exibited for only 3 days.

 

[eradoncic]

I wonder which one is more expensive to produce, giving they apparently sound nearly identical:
[/IMG]

According to retail price, AU-111 was obviously way to much expensive.
The AU-alpha907MRX was around 3000$ and the AU-111 (reissue from 1999) around 4500$

I really would like to have both of them, and these two amps are the only two I never had the opportunity to listen.

And, yes - like Gilbert2, I'm big fun of Dynaudio, and I exactelly know what about he is talking when mentioned Audience 52. I have in the moment the reference standmount Confidence C1, and unexpectedly, Dynaudio and upper class Sansui are very interesting mach.

 

[1420-1503]

Bonjour Gilbert, I'd like to ask you a question regarding your au-x901 and au-al607mrx.

I shell illustrate my question by quoting Isao (from his AU-111 vs AU-al907mrx article referenced earlier to in this thread) I placed the most relevant part in italic.

To place into context, the change he talks about is the valve sound.

Sansui stated to change that from AU-D11II, AU-G99X, and AU-X701(this was AU-Alpha607 in Japan (1988)). The high frequency of AU-X701 is so sensitive that Sansui has succeed to go to the root of tube technology; however, they were definitely weak in low compared with tube amps– this is nothing more than comparison, I still like the sound of AU-G99X and AU-X701 much better compared with today’s expensive transistor amps.

You did say both your Sansui amps sound different. Did you notice a difference in their performance in the low? If so, it would illustrate exactly what Isao is saying regarding the evolution of change in sound of Sansui's transistor amplifiers. I thought this was interesting.

To quote Eradoncic:

As far as I know, this tradition was stardet with the 14th generation of alpha series, in the western market well known AU-X901 and Au-X701.

 

[Gilbert2]

Well !

Give me two weeks for tests to discover all about this AU-Alpha607MRX them i will compare both !

Erden-eradoncic: You says that Dynaudio and upper class Sansui are very interesting mach. Great choice yours Confidence C1 :thmbsp:

 

[1420-1503]

2 weeks? Now you're stretching it!

take your time, dude. And may you have a great listening session with your 2 great Sansui's!!!

I haven't been able to listen to my au-x1111 for about 3 months..first was away on vacation then in a moving process to the capital.

 

[sandawa]

Other then the clear, transparant and powerfull sound, did you notice your au-al907 having a rich valve-like sound compared to the other older Sansui models? I'm interested to learn from which model on Sansui started to achieve to get this sound...

i have used valves and am still using a hybrid setup but my ears tell me the Alpha 907 was more like a powerful version of the Tripath chip amp (as in low-power Sonic Impact amp). IMHO it's in between the valve and vintage solid state. also my Alpha 907 is a Japanese domestic version but different in specs to what was written at the K-Nisi website. instead of 370 watts power consumption (Japan 100V) and 28 kgs. it says at the back 400 watts power consumption and weighs 30 kgs.