AU 9500 AU 9900 or 9090?
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Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
:yes: :yes: :yes: You should buy both of the integrated amps. Now if you really want something to knock your socks off try an AU-919/11000/D11/D11-II/G99X or one of the biggest and baddest integrated amps Sansui ever made the AU-22000. :thmbsp:panger said:
You can also post in the Exclusively Sansui Forum as well.
I would like to break this down a little further if I may. I would like to know "soundwise", which is better? The 9500 or the 9900? They both look built. Also, how do they compare with the 717? I have one of these but no exp. with the other two types.
nosirrah
RIP 11-19-2019
sound
the never ending dilemma, which sounds best?
They are differant, it depends a lot on your speakers, and even what you listen to.
in my opinion the 9500 is best for jazz, blues and the 9900 is more crisp and accurate for more contemporary music.
I own both, the 9500 is in use, the 9900 in storage, but I love old blues, and NPR FM.
Either will serve your needs the 9500 is older, better build quality, the 9900 is more modern with respect to internals...
If you are new to Sansui go for the 9500. The 717 is closer to the 9900 than the 9500 in sound.
Casey:thmbsp:
the never ending dilemma, which sounds best?
They are differant, it depends a lot on your speakers, and even what you listen to.
in my opinion the 9500 is best for jazz, blues and the 9900 is more crisp and accurate for more contemporary music.
I own both, the 9500 is in use, the 9900 in storage, but I love old blues, and NPR FM.
Either will serve your needs the 9500 is older, better build quality, the 9900 is more modern with respect to internals...
If you are new to Sansui go for the 9500. The 717 is closer to the 9900 than the 9500 in sound.
Casey:thmbsp:
xoaphexox
Supernatural Anesthetist
The 9500 has been widely regarded as the most tube-like Sansui that has been created (aside from the actual tube Sansui's, of course!) It was the penultimate Sansui integrated from that era, being the legacy piece of their leading engineer, a few years before Sansui was taken over by the beancounters and their quality took a nosedive.
bozak ron
Super Member
In my opinion, Casey has nailed the issue on the head. Both are fine amps with that glorious Sansui sound. Can't go wrong with either. I prefer the sound of the AU-9500 since its warmer than the others and solidly over-engineered. I also listen to lots of classic jazz and blues.
legal eagle
Sound Hound
AU-9500, no question about it
Have not listned to the other two - but I have a 9500 in my office, where I listen to mostly classical music and some jazz. As it is a workplace, I must keep the volume low, and the speakers I use are smallish (*tiny JBL LX series). And here is where the 9500 shines: the sound is detailed and bacon crisp even at very low volume.
Needless to say that the AU-9500 has plenty of power, but as it delivers beautiful sound at low volume, kind of like high torque in low RPM's in a car - I'm very very impressed with it.
Have not listned to the other two - but I have a 9500 in my office, where I listen to mostly classical music and some jazz. As it is a workplace, I must keep the volume low, and the speakers I use are smallish (*tiny JBL LX series). And here is where the 9500 shines: the sound is detailed and bacon crisp even at very low volume.
Needless to say that the AU-9500 has plenty of power, but as it delivers beautiful sound at low volume, kind of like high torque in low RPM's in a car - I'm very very impressed with it.
nosirrah
RIP 11-19-2019
MarkMeyer
The 999 wasn't on his list, but should be. One remains in play in my living room, the wife prefers the BA/CA3000/TU 9900, I like the AU/TU999 combo for Blues on NPR.
My 9500 is in the work shop, plays when I want the extra power, and when I engage the outside speakers for yard work.
Casey
The 999 wasn't on his list, but should be. One remains in play in my living room, the wife prefers the BA/CA3000/TU 9900, I like the AU/TU999 combo for Blues on NPR.
My 9500 is in the work shop, plays when I want the extra power, and when I engage the outside speakers for yard work.
Casey
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I have a 9090, au-999 (had two but traded/sold one) and a 9500... and would have a terrible time trying to choose just one. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and each one is very 
:yes: . The 999 and 9500 are the most "tube like"; the 9500 has a bit more (but possibly a bit "flabbier") bass. The 9090 of course is a receiver, not just an amp, and it has a more detailed yet still somewhat warm sound. I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of them -- although matching them up with appropriate speakers is (as with many amps) important, too.
:yes: . The 999 and 9500 are the most "tube like"; the 9500 has a bit more (but possibly a bit "flabbier") bass. The 9090 of course is a receiver, not just an amp, and it has a more detailed yet still somewhat warm sound. I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of them -- although matching them up with appropriate speakers is (as with many amps) important, too.
john_w
Miscreant
I will echo pretty much everybody else that all the integrateds mentioned will likely sound cleaner than the 9090. I've only heard it's little bro, the 8080, which I've heard is fairly close in sound. And to me it sounded kind of dull in comparison to the 9500 and every other mid-late 70s Sansui integrated amp I've heard. (Of course that was far from a "scientific" comparison.)
For features and # of inputs, the AU-9500 is top dog. For sound quality, I like the AU-919 best of the ones I've heard. (All disclaimers about type of music, speaker synergy, room and age-related variations notwithstanding.)
For features and # of inputs, the AU-9500 is top dog. For sound quality, I like the AU-919 best of the ones I've heard. (All disclaimers about type of music, speaker synergy, room and age-related variations notwithstanding.)
