Sansui X701 versus "modern" integrated amplifiers. Please provide some feedback

[slimecity]

Yea I reckon its hard comparing sansui amps to price categories of modern amplifiers. To get something with the same build quality and as much work that has gone into the circuit design, surely nowdays you'd have to spend at least $1000+ to get something comparable to a mid-level sansui amp. The last time I spent good money on new Marantz gear (for example) it was a $1000 DVD player and the POS had an underrated powersupply. Once year later it was toast. Lightweight and and not designed to last forever, planned obselesence has had a lot to do with this. I'd rather go vintage ANY DAY to get the assured build quality and just update components where necessary.

 

[pete_mac]

The AU-X901 has a clinical sound as well. Been told the 701 & 901 sound 'exactly the same', except for the power difference. And that was from a guy who had both. He sold me his 901.

Accurate, clean, precise, refined, audiophile: ... ' clinical ', is a really good word. Maybe the best word.

It does take 'a little' getting used to. Took me about 5 minutes!

Sounds like a more ' clinical ' AU-717. And I love the sound of the 717s! But the 717 does have much more 'flavor'. Like no flavor in the X901. It's all just pretty straight off the LP/CD.

The X901 is a great amp. I really love it. Hope it lasts forever! But it does sound slightly different, more 'Clinical' (much less...flavorless) .

The Japanese Sansui folks aren't all that hot on them, but they have a vast choice of High Quality Japanese only domestic Sansui alphas. But for a Sansui internationl amp...it's a hard amp to beat, hard to beat for most any company really. In my opinion.

Sounds great to me. :thmbsp: And when you use Source Direct, Tone, & Loudness (for lower listening volumes)...it's quite an amp!! Source Direct is outrageous.

I'm quite happy with this amp forever. No need to look for another. I'm happy, pleased, and totally content.


I don't know much about other companies new 'high end' amps but it seems to me the X901 is like a now-a-days lower 'High End' amp. Very Nice!! And for a Seventh of the cost of like a $4500 Bryston.

I have an AU-D11 II and a 701. (both reconditioned by me) They have similar resolving abilities - the 701 being the somewhat more clinical of the two. I can see exactly why pete_mac likes the 701 for electronic music especially, it is actually a very good all rounder.

My favourite is still the AU-D11 II, for me, a truly amazing amplifier.

I have never heard a 901 - I bid on one once but lost out and have never pursued another.

Indeed, the 701 is a very clean, uncoloured amp and quite 'true to source'. In this regard, it is comparable to many current high-end amps.

Having had the pleasure of hearing a wide variety of modern gear via good friends who have far deeper pockets than myself (stuff ranging from the Rego Brio R up to Vitus, Boulder and DartZeel), the 701 is the most afforable way for me to achieve comparable sound quality (where I can let the source and speaker play the biggest roles in the sound of my system) whilst still runnning Sansui gear. It ticks all of the important boxes for me

That said, I still massively enjoy listening to the older Sansui stuff. A bit less transparent, a bit more coloured, but they make BEAUTIFUL music.

I think the AU-919, BA/CA-F1, AU-D11 (not the II model) will be an interesting listen when I get the chance to do so.

 

[bluesky]

Indeed, the 701 is a very clean, uncoloured amp and quite 'true to source'. In this regard, it is comparable to many current high-end amps.

Having had the pleasure of hearing a wide variety of modern gear via good friends who have far deeper pockets than myself (stuff ranging from the Rego Brio R up to Vitus, Boulder and DartZeel), the 701 is the most afforable way for me to achieve comparable sound quality (where I can let the source and speaker play the biggest roles in the sound of my system) whilst still runnning Sansui gear. It ticks all of the important boxes for me

Exactly .

 

[taineasy]

Hi,
A member of audiokarma and a big Sansui fan suggested I post here for input.
Please provide some input.

I have a NM condition Sansui au-X701.
And, I'm about to change speakers so I'm evaluating options.

Yes, I agree, that AT THE LEAST, this is a great unit with outstanding build quality. But, How good is good? How good is a stock Sansui X701 versus any other great USED amplifier costing $500+ ?

I'd love to know if any of you have compared this model OR a similar model to more "modern" amps or integrated amplifiers. I mean, it's one thing to say they sound great, but "great compared to what?" Compared to which amps? What were the results of the comparison?

I'll post pix if there's interest in seeing them.

THANK YOU everyone for your input!

Tried to run my 4 ohm speakers (AR3a and OHM model 1's) with the x701 and it fried.

 

[Bert 1100]

Tried to run my 4 ohm speakers (AR3a and OHM model 1's) with the x701 and it fried.

TWO pairs of 4 Ohm speakers = an equivalent load of TWO Ohms.
IF this is what you were running, no wonder your x701 fried

Are the Ohm Model 1's also 4 Ohm ? I found the spec for the AR3a but not for the model One...

 

[keithpgdrb]

Tried to run my 4 ohm speakers (AR3a and OHM model 1's) with the x701 and it fried.

at the same time?? poor 701. gave up the ghost for you instead of starting a fire.

 

[pete_mac]

Bugger!!

In my personal experience the 701 can deal with 4 ohm loads reasonably well. I've driven Dynaudios and a pair of large floorstanders which dip down to 3 ohms with my 701 with no ill effects and excellent sound quality.

As per the questions posed by other posters above, did you connect two pairs of 4 ohm speakers at the same time?