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Big Sansui G-8000, G-9000, G-8700DB, 9090DB comparison
- Thread starter ymarko
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kevzep
Its all about the Music
I absolutely agree Pete.........Im a huge fan of the G-X700 sound.........it was a shame about the build quality.................
The design of these amps is excellent beyond most around that time......
After seriously rebuilding two G-7700's recently I can attest to what Pete is saying there.
I love the sound of mine.........like Pete says Fast and Clean, and I would add plenty of punch if you want it...........
Very quiet amplifiers in terms of noise floor, direct coupled stages using the differential fets attributing to the clarity somewhat, Sansui made good use of the technology available at the time. The 9090 uses a more traditional design for the time, I would say the 9090 is most likely a slower amplifier and may not quite have the crystal clarity of the G-X700, some may disagree and say the 9090 is warmer. Mind you the 9090 has 0.1%THD at its rated power output whereas the G-X700 have 0.025%THD which is significantly lower. I guess its up to the individual at the end of the day..........
I might add, the most disappointing thing about the G-X700 receivers is the reliability of the digital chip which drives the fluorescent display, and quartz lock. Once this fails its not an easy job to bring it back to life, the tuner will drift off the stations until it has completely failed and it settles down a bit.
The only fix for this is to spend $100US buying NOS digital chips when you can find them, or buying a T-60 or T-80 tuner which has the same chip but hopefully functioning and swap it over.
I think they are good looking receivers, I think the 9090 looks a bit bulky and cluttered whereas the G-X700 receivers look well balanced with clean lines and the fibre optic look of the tuning scale is quite striking.
Im working on going LED with mine, maybe an intense blue or something.
Wow, Ive just convinced myself not to buy the 9090db for sale locally, even though its a known unit and in good condition..........
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SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
I had a G-8000, seen several G-9000's, and had a pair of G-9700's. All are sold. I compared the 8k and the 9.7k side by side and found the 8k to be a little tighter and slightly less bloated. The difference was not much and could have been down to condition. Overall, I liked the sound and thought them to be better than any Pioneer SX and Yamaha receivers and most Marantz receivers that I've owned. However, as the others have noted, the build of the big G's was not very good especially compared to the earlier 9090 and my favorite Single Digit Series. Damn the cost cutters.
bigstereo
Super Member
Beautiful piece there Rob.
Might have to put one of those baby's on my wishlist.:scratch2:
I've owned/loved a 9090db and currently own/love a G9000. Both units were gone through and brought into spec by the doctor of audio. The G is nicer looking imho. I enjoyed them both equally soundwise.
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FWIW, I've compared the build of a G-7700 with the build of a 9090. The G-7700 has just as large a power supply, and is just as well built all the way around. Easier to work on and better looking, too. Only downside is the chip for the tuner display, which can be a real pain to source. Strangely enough, I've only seen that chip fail in the 9700. I have no theory as to why.
sansuigirl
Active Member
the "g" stands for gutted!
go with the 9090 dont need the db - i would have the 9090 or 8080 models for their build before i would choose a g-9000 for its looks. but then again - looks do mean a lot when the machine is sitting out in the open for everyone to say "wow" - which is why i have the marantz 4400 - nice looking - horrible quad - but you can get me naked with an oscilloscope any time!
sansuigirl
go with the 9090 dont need the db - i would have the 9090 or 8080 models for their build before i would choose a g-9000 for its looks. but then again - looks do mean a lot when the machine is sitting out in the open for everyone to say "wow" - which is why i have the marantz 4400 - nice looking - horrible quad - but you can get me naked with an oscilloscope any time!
sansuigirl
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Hmm.......I prefer the G-X700 series because of the actual amplifier design and the sound which comes out of them......Legendary sounding those G's, Crystal clear Ass kicking powerful audio goodness...........
Im a fan, 9090 my friend has a near perfect example, which I have heard many times, but theres something I like a little more about the G's..........
Hmm, I have two oscilloscopes :scratch2:
The 9090/8080 and the 9090DB/8080DB have very different amplifier sections. They may look the same but the difference goes beyond the Dolby function.
- Pete
kevzep
Its all about the Music
The G-7700 are very easy to work on, slip the top off, slip the bottom off and its all there.
I think they went a little more on the cheap side with the materials like the plastic window for the tuning dial display and the plastic veneer but I rather like the "fiber optic" effect of the tuning scale to be honest I think that looks really cool.
They combined a lot of the power supply on the same circuit board as the power amp driver board which was a cost cutting design move.
The power amp although it is a magnificent sounding amp tends to fail catastrophically when it goes, its a very fast amp and frankly I think at times can be a bit fragile...............I know I have majorly rebuilt both of mine.
They are fine when they are going but when they go, boy do they go......
This is what I have found with the two I have.........however they can be very reliable when looked after.........
I have had problems with both my digital displays, and its was the MSM 40 pin chip both times.
It was early days for that kind of digital technology, digital was fairly uncharted territory back then, they were pushing the envelope with the technology they had then, and I think that could have something to do with the reliability factor.
But there is nothing that can happen to these amps thats not worth fixing, I can attest to that........
nosirrah
RIP 11-19-2019
The later series "G" receivers had the LED watt meters that look great in a listening room, better than a waving needle as the X0X0 receivers, the readout for the tuner is redundant with both analog and digital, and the anal retentive will have issues when they don't match.
My only issue is as has been previously noted is build, it's unfathomable that Sansui would put 'simulated wood grain vinyl" on a unit of this quality.
A poor decision by them. They do sound great, different than the X0X0 units, you must audition them to see the difference.
Let your ears, then eyes decide...
My only issue is as has been previously noted is build, it's unfathomable that Sansui would put 'simulated wood grain vinyl" on a unit of this quality.
A poor decision by them. They do sound great, different than the X0X0 units, you must audition them to see the difference.
Let your ears, then eyes decide...
Sorry if I’m iust a little off topic but, this discussion is ‘oh so close’ and, I have always wanted to know:
Sound-wise, how does the G 7500 compare with the G 7700 Sansui?
And how does the G 7500 differ from the G x000 line in both sound quality and build?
Thank you,
Dave
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Sansui 9090db (perfect/almost mint)
Sansui G 7500 (in protection mode)
Sound-wise, how does the G 7500 compare with the G 7700 Sansui?
And how does the G 7500 differ from the G x000 line in both sound quality and build?
Thank you,
Dave
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Sansui 9090db (perfect/almost mint)
Sansui G 7500 (in protection mode)
AsaBerdahl
Active Member
Just for all the hate on the fake veneer case, I'm gonna make a real wood one. Just wait a month or two until I actually fix the dang thing first.
RocknRum
Active Member
So would you consider the DB series different or better sounding?
Also I have an 8080DB. Other than power, does the 9090DB sound any different or better than the 8080DB in your opinion?
visiman
Avatar under construction
In my opinion, there is little difference in the sound between a 9090 and a 9090DB. The DB is more powerful, has a more robust power supply and the amplifier section is a more modern design.
The 9090DB and 8080DB will sound the same. The only real difference is the 8080DB has fewer features, a vinyl case and a few less watts. It's 80-90% of the performance at 50% of the price.
- Pete
nosirrah
RIP 11-19-2019
One other reason that a 9090 is better is the lack of the Dolby board, a known issue due to design, for a feature that the industry never kept.
To listen to, and that's really the only thing that matters, those receivers sound the same. Everything else equal, I can't tell the difference at normal listening levels. And as Pete said, the 8080 is typically half the price, the 9090 or db case will bolt right on, now it no longer "simulated wood grain vinyl"
I find the 7070 to be similar in cost to the 8080, the sound is very good too.
To listen to, and that's really the only thing that matters, those receivers sound the same. Everything else equal, I can't tell the difference at normal listening levels. And as Pete said, the 8080 is typically half the price, the 9090 or db case will bolt right on, now it no longer "simulated wood grain vinyl"
I find the 7070 to be similar in cost to the 8080, the sound is very good too.
CDFixer
Number 1 USC Trojan Fan
I have a G-8000, G-871DB, and a 9090DB.
All great.
One is on top for a reason.:yes:
Rob
Were you afraid the G-8000 would crush the 871?
:scratch2:
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