Best Sansui Integrated

[Jupiter1610]

What do any of you consider to be the best overall Sansui integrated? Which one had the best combination of sound quality, build quality, and reliability? Did any of them have decent MM phone stages? I am thinking of getting a Sansui integrated to drive a small pair of Magnepans, so was thinking maybe a AU-9900 or AU-919. Opinions on which one is better? How was the AU-11000? Thanks

 

[EchoWars]

AU-20000 is the Granddaddy, but the AU-919 is excellent and a lot cheaper. I've never listened to a AU-11000.

 

[Morden2004]

What do any of you consider to be the best overall Sansui integrated? Which one had the best combination of sound quality, build quality, and reliability? Did any of them have decent MM phone stages? I am thinking of getting a Sansui integrated to drive a small pair of Magnepans, so was thinking maybe a AU-9900 or AU-919. Opinions on which one is better? How was the AU-11000? Thanks

How hard are Magnepans to drive? I seem to recall that a friend had a pair and they were difficult to drive. If they are a troublesome load, I would ask those who have actually owned Magnepans for advice as to what to look for in an amp. EW certainly has the background to sort out the good Sansui's from the bad & ugly :yes: .

Paul

 

[Jupiter1610]

The Magnepan's I am looking into are the MG12s. They are by no means as difficult to drive as the larger models. I listened to this model for quite some time at a local dealer using a 38 WPC Rega Brio integrated as a matter of fact. Though the Rega/Maggie combo sounded very nice, I would obviously prefer something with a bit more juice. How are the big Sansui's however in terms of "warmth" or "musicality"? Are they pretty quiet? I love would a big Sansui piece, but do not want anything grainy or bright? Are the big integrated's guilty of this? Particuraly the AU-919 or AU-11000? Thanks.

 

[shelby1420]

The Magnepan's I am looking into are the MG12s. They are by no means as difficult to drive as the larger models. I listened to this model for quite some time at a local dealer using a 38 WPC Rega Brio integrated as a matter of fact. Though the Rega/Maggie combo sounded very nice, I would obviously prefer something with a bit more juice. How are the big Sansui's however in terms of "warmth" or "musicality"? Are they pretty quiet? I love would a big Sansui piece, but do not want anything grainy or bright? Are the big integrated's guilty of this? Particuraly the AU-919 or AU-11000? Thanks.

Sansui was is known for there richness and warmth, have owned the au 20000 and absolutely loved it, very warm and very rich, owned an AU 919 for a very short time and from what i remember it was a very nice unit.. a little cleaner( not a smuch power as the AU 20000 but) cleaner in sound.........either amp is a good bet IMHO!!! :thmbsp:

 

[sandawa]

i can only make an opinion based on the three Sansui integrated amps I'm currently using: Alpha 907, AU-X11 and AU-D11: the Alpha 907, a 160-wpc and 30-kg. beast, is way ahead.

 

[Texas42]

I've been looking at a vintage integrated to drive my Maggie 1.6s, which are the MG 12s bigger brother. Right now I have my eyes set on a Yamaha CA-2010. Let me know how your Sansui search ends up and if you are satisfied with the results. I'll reciprocate in kind once I find something suitable with my 1.6s. I bought a new Jolida 1501 two months ago and while it is certainly a great amp, probably not the best match for the maggies. I know the Maggies love a high current design but I don't plan to listen at high levels. Oh well, live and learn...

 

[Jupiter1610]

Thanks Tex, the 1.6 certainly do require a bit more power but should have the same general sound. I'll let you know when I pair up the combo. Anybody here using (or used) a AU-11000 or AU-20000?

 

[bolly]

hey J1610

I have used the AU-11000 in the past. I didn't really like the sound of the amp section so I used her mainly as a pre-amp.

 

[Morden2004]

The Magnepan's I am looking into are the MG12s. They are by no means as difficult to drive as the larger models. I listened to this model for quite some time at a local dealer using a 38 WPC Rega Brio integrated as a matter of fact. Though the Rega/Maggie combo sounded very nice, I would obviously prefer something with a bit more juice. How are the big Sansui's however in terms of "warmth" or "musicality"? Are they pretty quiet? I love would a big Sansui piece, but do not want anything grainy or bright? Are the big integrated's guilty of this? Particuraly the AU-919 or AU-11000? Thanks.

OK, now I have some thoughts. My limited experience with Sansui's would lead me to suggest one of the earlier SS Sansui's because they had a more 'tube-like' quality to their sound. For example my AU-999 sounds different that my G-8000 - not a lot but there is a hint of warmth to the AU-999 that I like very much.

Anyone else?

Paul

 

[Jupiter1610]

Does the 9900 have that same warmth? If so is it warmer than the 919?

 

[RW50]

I haven’t offered much on this forum since joining but have been happy to read and learn. This seems like a topic that I may have some slight knowledge. Late last summer I took a leap and bought a Sansui AU-20000 integrated amp through ebay. It was replacing a Sansui AU-999 that I bought at the Navy bx in Guam along with the matching TU-999 probably back in 1976. After reinforcing the bookshelf that it was to go on and hooking it up to a pair of JBL L-200 Studio Masters, it produced some of the best sound that I’ve experienced. But after about 5 months the amp dropped out the right channel. Nothing spectacular just no sound.

Having read numerous documented histories of vintage resurrections, I contacted EchoWars. And soon the big Sansui was on its way to Glenn’s for a good clean up and restoration. (This is a heavy integrated – 76 lbs. packed.) I’ll try to list some of the things that Glenn did but in my non-tech way I’ll probably not get it quite right.
. a big time clean up of course
. rebuilt the low voltage regulator
. replaced 8 trim pots (4 for the meters & 4 for the driver boards) with new Bourns units
. 36 (yes 36) BlackGate caps in the pre amp assembly
. a number of Panasonic FC caps
. 2 new 27,000uf 100v power supply caps
. replaced any resistors slimed by Sansui glue
. repaired a manufacturing flaw in one of the output assemblies (bad solder job between an output transistor emitter lead and the output line)
. replaced all RCA jack plastic dust collars with more functional ‘O” rings
. tests, adjustments and settings
. the amp cranks out 210W into 8ohms @ 0.5% THD
. at the rated 170W, distortion is about 0.01%
That’s all I can think of but Glenn may have other items that I forgot or don’t know about.
Many of you know this already but I’ll add my few words. Glenn is a true professional. He is very knowledgeable, extremely skilled and a great value in this current world. He also tolerates my picky listening.

Oh, how does the AU-20000 sound? Well, it’s great! When you move the volume up on this thing, pushed through the JBL’s, the grass all around the house is leaning at a pretty good angle away from the house. The highs on this thing are clean and detailed, the lows are powerful and the overall power of the 20000, as I said before, is quite evident. Jupiter1610 – I wouldn’t describe the sound as grainy or bright. Pretty much a fine integrated amp.

 

[Sansui Louie]

I only have one Sui integrated, and it's a AU-999. I've had this piece for many, many years. It led a rough life before I owned it, and then had a rough life for the short time that I didnt' own it before getting it back again recently. I'd have to say that build quality is excellent, as it's been thru hell and back and still sounds great.

Only a few minor scratches on it too, despite living for years in a nightclub, as the 'house stereo' and living for two years in a school bus-turned-RV and banging around on a metal overhead shelf...and you know how smooth school busses ride...

 

[Morden2004]

AU-999 to the rescue

I only have one Sui integrated, and it's a AU-999. I've had this piece for many, many years. It led a rough life before I owned it, and then had a rough life for the short time that I didnt' own it before getting it back again recently. I'd have to say that build quality is excellent, as it's been thru hell and back and still sounds great.

Only a few minor scratches on it too, despite living for years in a nightclub, as the 'house stereo' and living for two years in a school bus-turned-RV and banging around on a metal overhead shelf...and you know how smooth school busses ride...

I've used my AU-999 as a wheel chock on my 747, and as a temporary pier under a house I raised recently and it has done yeoman duty as a room heater ...

OK, I'll quit now. :rofl:

Seriously, it is built like a tank. Typically Sansui 'tube' construction in the transition period between tubes and transistors. And, it sounds terrific to boot. Over all, the best deal around for $125-$150.

Paul

 

[L'wood]

Jupiter, check out the different Sansui websites and you'll get an idea of quality per cost. I have an AU-717, completely updated, and I like it better than my Arcam Diva 90, except it doesn't have a remote, so ergo the wife factor has been induced!!

I don't know how old you are, but back when these vintage amps were manufactured they had to hold the amperage/distortion for a significantly longer period of time than they do today (hopefully someone else can give a better explanation than I), ergo, the 85 watts that the 717 produces are clean, beautiful sounding watts. The 717 can go from $100-300 on ebay; try and find one that has at least been cleaned up this decade. I use VERY efficient speakers as a general rule (92-95db), but I did pick up an old pair of Acoustic Research's AR4x's that are acoustic suspension design, probably at about 82db, and it drove them with no problem.

Good luck in your search.

L'wood

 

[EchoWars]

I haven’t offered much on this forum since joining but have been happy to read and learn. This seems like a topic that I may have some slight knowledge. Late last summer I took a leap and bought a Sansui AU-20000 integrated amp through ebay.<snip>

I don't find the 20000 grainy either. If so, it would likely be a result of dirty contacts...the 20000 has a rather complex signal path and there are a lot of opportunities for grunge to get in the way.

It's tough to evaluate 25 year-old gear, as the condition of the gear will likely vary a lot from unit to unit. Only after it has received a thorough going-through by someone who knows how to get in there are get the job done right can you start making judgements.

The AU-20000 was a serious damn project to restore. Glad to see that the BG caps are settling in and you are pleased with the sound.

 

[Zekeman]

RW50.......Nice Writeup

...AND the AU-20000 has METERS! ...there's nothing like cool meters for icing on the cake.

 

[Bigyank]

I had the au-11000 for about a year. Sold her to qboneus and he upgraded the cap on her so maybe he has more input. Personnally I thought the sound as I had the amp a little flat.

Currently have an au-g99x (160x2) for outdoor listening and she is not bad, better in my opinion then the au-11000.

Yank