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Adding vintage Sansui

RandyFloyd76

RandyFloyd76

Well-Known Member
I am looking to add some vintage Sansui units into my stable. I bought a Sansui 9090 receiver new in the late 70's, and have regretted selling it years ago.

I need some opinions on which units would be best to buy. (assuming all in good working condition) I am looking at buying at least one integrated amplifier and one receiver. I plan on paying fair market value, so money is less a consideration than the performance/function. I am leaning towards the classic AU-9500 and ???? Are there some lessor models which really shine? I'm taking the plunge into vintage Sansui and want to do it right!

Here are my choices:

Integrated Amplifiers:
AU-999
AU-8500
AU-9500
AU-717
AU-919
AU-D11
AU D11ii
AU-G99x

Receivers
Sansui 881
Sansui Eight
Sansui Eight Deluxe
Sansui 8080db
Sansui 9090
Sansui 9090db
 
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Personally I'd grab as many as you can, get them at good enough prices where you can make your money back or maybe more, and then choose the one you like the most.

I've had the G7700/G4700, AU-555A, 881, and the AU-9500. Out of them all I can easily say I like the AU-9500 the most. But if I had the chance I'd grab a 9090, AU-999, Sansui Eight Deluxe/Eight, and maybe one of the rare japanese models such as the AU-X1111MOS Vintage.

It really depends on what you want to hear, what you listen to, the rest of your gear, etc. It's hard to recommend one without being able to quantify any of that. So, your best bet, try them all, and sell the ones you don't need/want.
 
I will probably be limited to two pieces unless I drop down from the TOTL stuff. I understand the sound differences. I think the AU-9500 is probably a no brainer......but I am lost on the other gear.

I would like another 9090, but read that some consider the Eight Deluxe as maybe the finest Sansui receiver ever. I might be better served with buying two integrated amps?
(my only integrated now is a Denon PMA-770)

I should add I listen to all genres of music. Most of my source equipment is vintage mid-fi turntables and cd players. I also have a tube Tandberg RTR and a couple of Nakamichi cassette decks.

I have a decent "vintage" speaker stable:

JBL L80t3
JBL L88 Nova's
Original Large Advents
KEF Q90
Speakerlab 4's
EPI 100v
Boston Acoustics A60
Dahlquist M-903
Klipsch Synergy F-2 Towers
Realistic Optimus 1
 
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I have the AU 717 and I'm impressed w/ it. In fact, I sold a Pioneer SA-8800 in favor of the Sansui. Couldn't keep both and the Pioneer couldn't keep up to my ears.
 
I just got my 881 today, and so far I've been blown away. I love it! It has the sweet looking green face plate, and is TOTL for the xx1 receivers.

When sansui made this, they sure knew what they were doing, it completely blows my 7070 out of the water, at least to me. The bass coming out of this thing will knock you flat, depending if you have the loudness control on or not.


Running it through some AR 2ax's now. Lovin it :music:
 
the 9090's are fetching huge money lately. The Eight's are at least reasonable. I envy your position...no hurry with lots to chose from. Wait until the deal you want comes along.
 
Without reading into things too much. I don't think you can ever go wrong with a 9090db as a receiver choice.
 
I have all of these receivers,

Grab Eight and Eight Deluxe. This is the best choice you could do.
And then 9090 or 9090DB.
 
Thanks to all who gave me input. I went to a major collector today and bought three pieces. His place was like a Sansui Museum of all vintage gear from the late 60's through the early 80's. It was hard to control my spending.

I spent a total of $950. No big scores or bargains, but overall fair prices considering.

Here's what I ended up purchasing:

AU-8500 integrated amplifier (I initially wanted an AU-9500, but the 8500 is near mint condition and was $100 cheaper. I lose about 10 watts per channel and some tone controls but I am happy).

Sansui 9090db. I wanted a 9090, but this unit was only a little more and had been refurbished. Forgot how big and heavy these beasts are!

Sansui Eight Deluxe. I had no previous experience with these receivers and was astounded by the sound. This is an outstanding and beautiful receiver! Thanks to those who recommended this. Few would regret this purchase.

The fellow had some rare and interesting units such as the Sansui 7000 receiver and a New Old Stock Sansui 5000A Receiver in the original unopened box. I had a really hard time passing on AU-919's and the AU-D11.

Merry Christmas to me!
 
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Those are 3 fine pieces of gear you acquired. I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with the performance of each one. I think that's a very fair price for those pieces and especially given the fact that the 9090db has been gone through. Yessir; Merry Christmas to you
 
In fact - you did a good deal. Price for all these three beautiful units seems more than fair. Congrats!

And you will enjoy them, for sure. Would be nice to get your opinion on each of those jewels.
 
Replaced the Denon PMA-770 with the Sansui Eight Deluxe. The system is running JBL L80t3's and Original Large Advents. The source material is coming from a Sony CDP-208ESD CD player and Nakamichi 2 Cassette Deck.

I am immediately impressed with the power. Seems much stronger than the rated 60 watts per channel. Warm yet detailed sound with outstanding bass. Really opened my JBL L80t3 speakers up in a way my Kenwood KR-7400 couldn't. I normally play all audio neutral, but there seems to be magic in the loudness control on the Eight Deluxe.

I started off with Telemann: Trumpet Concerto in D Major. The brass was bright and detailed. Very easy on the ears.

Switched over to the Oh Brother Where Art Thou - Soundtrack. Alison Krauss sounded angelic singing "Down to the River to Pray". Very nice top end on this receiver.

Onto a Maxell XLII recorded cassette of Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Outstanding reproduction of inferior source material. Clean and detailed.

Now playing Texas Blues with Mike Morgan and The Crawl. Great lower bass extension. Tight and controlled. Pushes the JBL's into the "neighbors calls the cops level" without effort.

I made the Eight Deluxe my first choice based on several researched and given opinions on this site. My first impression is that I'm wowed by this receiver. Supplants my KR-7400, Optonica SA-5151 and NAD 7020. (and I really like all three of those receivers). I am going to spend a few weeks with it and then swap it out for the Sansui 9090db.
 
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