Sansui77
Khosaku Kikuchi's Grandson
You do know that Sansui gear is like a bag of chips, you can't stop at just one
Overundr1 is right....
BE VERY CAREFULL....before you know it they'll breed
Help me pick the right vintage Sansui Integrated!
- Thread starter toneriderMUC
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- sansui
Overundr1 is right....
BE VERY CAREFULL....before you know it they'll breed
toneriderMUC
Active Member
Alright, now it is getting interesting. I have the possibility to get a AU X901 in really good condition for 430€ here in Munich, I can just pick it up by car. I guess this is a must-buy....
Sansui77
Khosaku Kikuchi's Grandson
Alright, now it is getting interesting. I have the possibility to get a AU X901 in really good condition for 430€ here in Munich, I can just pick it up by car. I guess this is a must-buy....
That's a really great price but be careful, make sure there's no issues with it. Even get them to take the top cover off to see the internals?
Very very nice amplifier & rare.
Is this the one on ebay?
I have the AU-x907 and love it.
toneriderMUC
Active Member
No, its not on ebay - seller is some kind of pawn shop and rather clueless. But I will be able to test it before I buy, so it should be alright.
toneriderMUC
Active Member
Soo. I didn't get the X901. I couldnt test it there and the seller said stuff like "its old, dont expect it to be new", "couldnt test it myself, but should be alright", so I decided its wiser not to pull the trigger. And I am glad, because now I have a much better plan :
I will get the AU 505 or 555A and give it a complete overhaul with increased output caps and other mods I read about here in numerous threads. I am really excited about it!
I will try to get the 555A, as I tend to read, that it is a bit better in terms of staging and overall headroom in comparison to the 505.
Although, if I have the chance to get a good condition, decent price 505, I might also get that one, since there's many people loving especially that one, too...
:I will get the AU 505 or 555A and give it a complete overhaul with increased output caps and other mods I read about here in numerous threads. I am really excited about it!
I will try to get the 555A, as I tend to read, that it is a bit better in terms of staging and overall headroom in comparison to the 505.
Although, if I have the chance to get a good condition, decent price 505, I might also get that one, since there's many people loving especially that one, too...
toneriderMUC
Active Member
.
I donno,
After seeing smurfers 777a under glass I am kinda partial
yeah, that one is plain HOT. But I havent seen a 777 for sale yet, at all...
smurfer77
Super Member
Well, I am not going to argue with the previous comments about that particular 777A pictured a couple of posts back . Sadly the AU-777A are not so easy to come by (although they do pop up). The AU-777 pops up a bit too. They are still a bit under the radar, but that seems to be changing (should have kept my mouth shut!).
But really, so many of the amps mentioned here are outstanding machines. For me I do hear differences between the 505 and the 555A but they are small enough that I recommend choosing by non-audio criteria price, condition & styling preference. I could very happily live with either.... with a big grin on my face after a couple of updates.
. Sadly the AU-777A are not so easy to come by (although they do pop up). The AU-777 pops up a bit too. They are still a bit under the radar, but that seems to be changing (should have kept my mouth shut!).But really, so many of the amps mentioned here are outstanding machines. For me I do hear differences between the 505 and the 555A but they are small enough that I recommend choosing by non-audio criteria price, condition & styling preference. I could very happily live with either.... with a big grin on my face after a couple of updates.
toneriderMUC
Active Member
Oh, its just fantastic! Most of the times, I can listen to it for hours without it getting annoying or anything. This is a really rare thing for a radio station. They just have great selected playlists.
I am now trying to get a decent 555A or 505. And boy, thats not an easy task. Currently there is a 555A for 359€ for sale on ebay. Thats insane!
Tdogzthmn
Active Member
I just bought up a 517 off craigslist list and want to know if this amp is able to be bi-wire or bi-amped to a single set of speakers? I see there is an A + B setting on the selector dial but its not explicit in the manual. Otherwise I'm excited to pickup to pick up this classic piece of hardware! Is there anything else one should know about these amps?
You can bi-wire for sure, please be aware that the A output is the same as the B output, just a second set of connectors on the rear panel.
Tdogzthmn
Active Member
So I would wire the A out put to the highs, and the B output to the lows?
Yes, that would be ok.
slimecity
Super Member
Get the Au-555a. Sounds great once restored, punchy and lively. Plenty of bottom end authority.
Plus its fun and super easy to work on. Not so rare, plenty still around at a good price, looks good in its wood cabinet. Good resale value if you want to move on.
There is supposed to be a lot of performance difference between the 555a and a 777a. That is also probably reflected in price difference of the units. I have heard the difference between a 555a and a 999 - I owned both units. There was a difference in "refinement" to my ears - but who cares, for starting out the 555a is a beast.
Plus its fun and super easy to work on. Not so rare, plenty still around at a good price, looks good in its wood cabinet. Good resale value if you want to move on.
There is supposed to be a lot of performance difference between the 555a and a 777a. That is also probably reflected in price difference of the units. I have heard the difference between a 555a and a 999 - I owned both units. There was a difference in "refinement" to my ears - but who cares, for starting out the 555a is a beast.
toneriderMUC
Active Member
I thought I'd give you an update here. I guess for now, my search is over. I found an all original AU 555A and liked it, although its in need of a thorough rebuild. I could have "settled" for that, if you say can that about something as beautiful as a 555a.
But, then I stumbled upon an Au X-701 for an incredible 230€. It is in pristine condition and plays like a young god. My search is over, this thing sounds SO GOOD! Liquid, detailed, transparent, powerful and always completely relaxed. Vinyl sounds fantastic and even Spotify is fun. And as much as I liked the 555A, this is in a different league.
So, thank you all for suggesting the X701/901 !!!! I would have never considered these!
But, then I stumbled upon an Au X-701 for an incredible 230€. It is in pristine condition and plays like a young god. My search is over, this thing sounds SO GOOD! Liquid, detailed, transparent, powerful and always completely relaxed. Vinyl sounds fantastic and even Spotify is fun. And as much as I liked the 555A, this is in a different league.
So, thank you all for suggesting the X701/901 !!!! I would have never considered these!
pete_mac
Super Member
Well played sir! Yes, I agree... a different league altogether! The Alphas are brilliant amps.
