Any opinions on Sansui BA-1000 Vfet amp?

[Brett 1976]

Hello everyone, first post to this group, but I read and learn everyday from this site. I'm not a Sansui newbie as I own a 9090 (my very first hi fi amp) and a 990db( part of my retirement portfolio). I just picked up a BA-1000 vfet amp. These seem rare and were sold in Japan. I bought this one from a serious Sansui collector in Canada. It's real clean, has been professionally serviced and converted to 120v! I like the slim line as it will fit right in my current setup. I plan to use this one for the top end of a bi amp setup. Any other BA-1000 owners out there? Any info or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DB-7]

Excellent purchase.
My tech told me about a place in Japan that professionally converts some vintage amps to 120 before export . Electori Co might be that place?
Very cool.
Welcome to AK!

 

[Sansuiman]

That's a very nice (and vanishingly rare) amplifier. Sansui's only foray into VFETs, as it happens. I'd love to know how it was converted for 120V, as it retains the original toroidal transformer, unless a new transformer was wound and placed inside the original case.

 

[bolero]

I always liked the looks of those. Congratulations!

I wonder if they just installed a stepdown transformer in the chassis? I see another small transformer in one of the pics & the toroidal has the original wiring label

 

[Hyperion]

I see another small transformer in one of the pics & the toroidal has the original wiring label

Yes, I saw that too, not much power handling required for a 'Bucking Transformer' configuration to drop just 20V hence the added transformer can be small.