Sansui Alpha chronology history lineage models

JimEGR

JimEGR

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Thought I would put this out there, and so it will come up in search easily for folks trying to decipher the Alpha lineage.

Not every model branded Alpha is included, but all of the flagship models are. And all of the way to the end. The 1999 release AU-a607 MOS Limited 50 watts (JDM) was the very last solid state Sansui produced.

A fascinating snapshot of late, premium Sansui fidelity!

Screenshot 2026-03-05 at 10.01.58 AM.png
1986 AU-a907 180 watts ¥ 198,000
1987 AU-a907i 160 watts ¥ 198,000
1988 AU-a907 Extra - (JDM) likely not mass produced or sold commercially
1989 AU-a907L Extra 160 watts ¥ 250,000
1989 AU-a999DG 95 watts ¥ 135,000
1990 AU-a907DR 160 watts ¥ 250,000
1992 AU-a907KX160 watts ¥ 270,000
1993 AU-a907XR Series 160 watts ¥ 278,000
1994 AU-a907 Limited 80 watts ¥ 410,000
1995 AU-a907MR 160 watts ¥ 295,000
1996 AU-07 Anniversary 90 watts ¥ 450,000
1998 AU-a907NRA 160 watts ¥ 300,000
1999 AU-a607 NRA ii 80 watts ¥ 119,000
1999 AU-a607 MOS Limited 50 watts ¥ 180,000
Screenshot 2026-03-05 at 10.01.41 AM.png


Honorable mention are the last two AU-X*'s. The AU-X* are a one-off high performance units that Sansui would employ all of the highest performing designs and technologies of the time in. Like the Alpha's, the AU-X* below are X-Balanced. Counterintuitive to their model names, the earlier AU-X1 and AU-X11 are not X-Balanced.

"Based on the circuit technology and know-how up to that time, this pre-main amplifier was developed through uncompromising selection of parts, improvement and hearing test."

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1985 AU-X111MOS Vintage 110 Watts ¥ 330,000
1988 AU-X1111MOS Vintage 110 Watts ¥ 400,000

Screenshot 2026-03-06 at 7.47.23 AM.png
 
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Hmm. It seems that Sansui produced alpha units every year for a decade and a half and gave each one of them a new suffix. With the exception of the MOSFET units, the BJFET units look like very incremental changes each year. For instance, my DR and KX units look identical inside (and front panels are same layout as well), though I will know more when the KX unit arrives and I get into the boards. I feel like the fit and finish of the NRA units’ front panels and switch craft is a step up with the use of what look like carved solid billet, but otherwise I wonder if they offer meaningful differences. I DO want an X-111 or X-1111 mos vintage unit, tho.
 
The questions I keep asking myself is, do they sound any different or better? I have the original 907 and the later 607mr plus the natural progression of those Sansui’s that came before.

The MR is fantastic, but I like listening to the a907 more and it sets right along my new Luxman L-509x which may have a bit more subtle detail vs the 907 but no more musical.

The one I am missing is the X-1 which should be arriving next week which will be interesting to compare to the AU-a907 once it’s been gone through. I have found myself listening to my vacuum tube units lately which I have avoided over the years as they aren’t very practical. I just keep working on them and upgrading until they are just perfect which at times can be a challenge. I have never been that engaged with the earlier capacitor coupled Sansui’s. I will eventually breakdown and acquire the AU-111, but with the Luxman MB-3045 monoblocks and the Harmon Kardon Citation I / II I just haven’t had enough motivation. I have the 1000a so dialed in that I wonder how much better would the AU-111 really be?

So the journey continues with my latest Eico HF-81, a 14 watt powerhouse and a design that shouldn’t sound that good but does? Go figure…
 
jefferylhenr said:
The questions I keep asking myself is, do they sound any different or better? I have the original 907 and the later 607mr plus the natural progression of those Sansui’s that came before.

The MR is fantastic, but I like listening to the a907 more and it sets right along my new Luxman L-509x which may have a bit more subtle detail vs the 907 but no more musical.

The one I am missing is the X-1 which should be arriving next week which will be interesting to compare to the AU-a907 once it’s been gone through. I have found myself listening to my vacuum tube units lately which I have avoided over the years as they aren’t very practical. I just keep working on them and upgrading until they are just perfect which at times can be a challenge. I have never been that engaged with the earlier capacitor coupled Sansui’s. I will eventually breakdown and acquire the AU-111, but with the Luxman MB-3045 monoblocks and the Harmon Kardon Citation I / II I just haven’t had enough motivation. I have the 1000a so dialed in that I wonder how much better would the AU-111 really be?

So the journey continues with my latest Eico HF-81, a 14 watt powerhouse and a design that shouldn’t sound that good but does? Go figure…
Click to expand...
Well, I believe the Eico HF-82 is a 6BQ5 design in class A/B push pull, which is why it sounds so damned good. I have owned and rehabbed (even built) many tube amplifiers over the last 10 years, and to my ears the best sounding ones were the 6BQ5 A/B push pulls. It’s why the best sounding Leben (and company I have owned several models of and respect immensely) is the little 300 (and variants). Much better than the 600. The Eico is fantastic too. I have several models (and have had several models) with this tube or the more robust 7189 (Pilot, SC, etc). My absolute favorite is the Shell 2020p “Manhasset” with 7189’s. Ty my ears the EL-34 (and its variants) and the various KT’s (66’s, 88’s, 120’s) and the 6L6’s do not sound as good. The closest I have found is the 6V6 (I scratch built one with Ampex iron). My Shell is my baby.

I can’t remember what the 1000 uses, but you can’t get me to go near an early Japanese tube amp even if you paid me!! They look like regurgitated spaghetti inside and life is too short.
 
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