The best sounding Sansui amp is the one that sounds best to you.
One that works and functions right, as designed.
As with any stereo amp...one that you can live with and think, and say to yourself: "I really 'L I K E ' this amp!!" And if you can say you really 'love' this amp...man, you really got it then!
Never heard a Sansui MOS but an Alpha MOS would be nice!
So would an AU-X1111 MOS Vintage. (This amp would be the ticket!!)
Problem: no spare MOS chips anymore for Sansui amps.
Or the tube 1999 AU-111 'Vintage' or the 20000 AU-111G. But quite expensive and needs to be shipped from Japan. Japanese Voltage % Hz too. Super tube amps and pretty new too. Don't know where you would get the schematics though for those specific models.
Nothing wrong with the 1980 AU-717 (AU-919), if you get the glue off the boards and restore it. GREAT sounding amps. Really a 'deep' sound. Kind of like a live concert...a real sound. I do love these amps.
What applications are you going to use the amp for??? How much power do you need?? How big is your listening space?
An alpha would be super nice! AU-X901s sound great. I'm sure for regular listening spaces the AU-X701 would be just 'fine'! Just saw another one sell for really cheap on eBay.
I'd love to hear an AU-70. And TU-70. Can't remember ever hearing one but bet it's a nice combo. And the tube sound.
Just whatever amp you like the sound of really. Great sound, deep sound, audiophile sound, and amp that sounds great with records, or CDs...many different Sansui 'sounds': tube, early SS, 07, X, alpha, and MOS. And you have the Definition and Professional series too, as well as Quad too. Also...what transformer(s) does it have, like Tamura. It also depends heavily on how much money you personally have to spend on the gear. Of course. And dependiibility. Keep in mind that amps prior 1980 will need a restoration sooner than later to sound optimum. Though, some still sound great as they are without restoration. But it will need a restoration sooner than later.
So it's hard to say: "Which amp sounds the best". There are So Many Factors involved.
Just find the amp you like the sound of, that you can live with and unconditionally enjoy, and you got it! There is always better, and there is always worse.
Personally...I'd get an AU-X1111 "Vintage", AU-X901 (which I have now, it's nice!), AU-X701 ( an outstanding amp on a budget - they sell for $150-$200(+/-), or an Alpha from Japan. For tubes I'd get the AU-111 "Vintage" or the AU-111G. Or just fully restore and AU-717 (great for LPs and CDs) or if you like to play your music louder and play a lot of records..the AU-919. Or if you love that 'classic look', and don't need a lot of power, a 5000X. Guys love the higher number 'G' series too. :thmbsp:
Now if your going to get an Alpha you have to do your research! Some are much better than others. And if you going to get an Alpha, and have it shipped from Japan ($$$), you may as well get a better model! right!
Just find the Sansui amp that's got the 'magic' for you.
(Same stands true for any brand of stereo amplifier really.)
Good luck and happy hunting!! :yes: It's 'really great' when you find it!! :yes:
:thmbsp: