First time Sansui receiver options

[Sansuite]

I’ve been keeping an eye out for a Sansui receiver for about 6 months and not a lot come up in Australia.
I have a Sansui ST-525 I’d like to hook up and haven’t decided on the speakers yet.
Currently there’s a 5000a, 771 and 7070 on gumtree all for around the AU$600-700 mark. There is a lovely 500a but no shipping. All are said to be in good condition.
My question is what would be the better for my first Sansui? None have been recapped and this is something that I could be interested in tackling down the track so one that is easier to work on would be good.
It’s a medium/small sized open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area playing at low levels. Would be hooking up a DAC also.
This set up would be for everyday musical enjoyment, warm but detailed is the goal.
Sorry for the long winded first post.

 

[rickb119]

Don't know about the others (or the degree of difficulty of working on any of them), but I have the 5000a, and the sound is lovely. I don't like using the term warm as to me, it normally denotes a lack of detail. However, in the case of the 5000a, it is both warm, and detailed and a pleasure to listen to.

With the 5000a, be sure it has the F6013 driver boards. It originally came with 1040 boards, which tended to overheat and catch fire. Sansui did a recall so most were replaced. There may be some that didn't bother taking theirs in though. The boards are clearly marked, as seen below. (Simply remove the top cover.)

 

[JimEGR]

I've owned a 7070 and still own the 221/331/441/551/881 missing the 661 and 771, for now. I really like the sound of the XX1 receiver series, a lot. One of my favorite Sansui Sound's - very easy to listen to and really articulate for how pleasant it is - which is interesting because this series was a "budget" series of receivers. Some of lower powered used IC's, but that did not compromise SQ. Simple and focused control bank. The user interface build quality is quite good - real wood veneer case, glass tuner scale, metal controls. The 7070 was a powerful and fierce listening experience (and oddly had a somewhat compromised build quality with a plastic tuner scale and vinyl faux-wood wrap case). I believe the 771 would be the simplest of the three choices to service. I have not owned or heard the 5000a so I can't speak to how it would compare - from @rickb119 description I would like to hear one someday .

Preference for sound quality is pretty subjective. All three are great choices. Hopefully more folks will weigh in with their perspectives and experiences. Check out the search function in the upper right of your screen - this place is a gold mine and many questions have a been asked multiple times over the years so you can track on current and historical data here. Search is your friend .

Keep us posted - and welcome!

Here's a 771 vs 7070 thread -

771 vs 7070

I am curious from those who have had, or even just heard, both of these which one you would take if you had to choose. The 7070 is certainly heftier, has more going on aesthetically, etc. One thing the 771 has that I love is two auxiliary inputs. For me, this is huge as it allows you to hook up...

audiokarma.org

And a 771 vs 5000a thread -

Sansui 5000a vs 771

Just wondering what peoples thoughts were on these two receivers. Not sure which one I want to hook up.

audiokarma.org

Here is some good info on the 771 -

Sansui 771 | Classic Receivers

This gem from 1973 is the Sansui 771 receiver. It was at the upper end of Sansui's xx1 lineup which consisted of the 221, 331, 441, 551, 661, 771, and top of the line 881. MSRP was $430 in 1973 but I've seen prices all over the place in different advertisements of the time. Even

classicreceivers.com

 

[quadmatrix82]

I’d go the 771 great receiver that has plenty of features power and well made - regardless of whatever option you chose make sure you invest in a restoration to ensure it’s working to its full potential and reliable.

 

[skippy124]

Hi @Sansuite

Welcome to AK and the Sansui forum. Where are you located in Australia. I may be able to help out with your search.

Cheers
John

 

[Sansuite]

I've owned a 7070 and still own the 221/331/441/551/881 missing the 661 and 771, for now. I really like the sound of the XX1 receiver series, a lot. One of my favorite Sansui Sound's - very easy to listen to and really articulate for how pleasant it is - which is interesting because this series was a "budget" series of receivers. Some of lower powered used IC's, but that did not compromise SQ. Simple and focused control bank. The user interface build quality is quite good - real wood veneer case, glass tuner scale, metal controls. The 7070 was a powerful and fierce listening experience (and oddly had a somewhat compromised build quality with a plastic tuner scale and vinyl faux-wood wrap case). I believe the 771 would be the simplest of the three choices to service. I have not owned or heard the 5000a so I can't speak to how it would compare - from @rickb119 description I would like to hear one someday .

Preference for sound quality is pretty subjective. All three are great choices. Hopefully more folks will weigh in with their perspectives and experiences. Check out the search function in the upper right of your screen - this place is a gold mine and many questions have a been asked multiple times over the years so you can track on current and historical data here. Search is your friend .

Keep us posted - and welcome!

Here's a 771 vs 7070 thread -

771 vs 7070

I am curious from those who have had, or even just heard, both of these which one you would take if you had to choose. The 7070 is certainly heftier, has more going on aesthetically, etc. One thing the 771 has that I love is two auxiliary inputs. For me, this is huge as it allows you to hook up...

audiokarma.org

And a 771 vs 5000a thread -

Sansui 5000a vs 771

Just wondering what peoples thoughts were on these two receivers. Not sure which one I want to hook up.

audiokarma.org

Here is some good info on the 771 -

Sansui 771 | Classic Receivers

This gem from 1973 is the Sansui 771 receiver. It was at the upper end of Sansui's xx1 lineup which consisted of the 221, 331, 441, 551, 661, 771, and top of the line 881. MSRP was $430 in 1973 but I've seen prices all over the place in different advertisements of the time. Even

classicreceivers.com

View attachment 2989690

Thanks for the detailed response. I have read those threads you posted and quite a few others. One thing I thought was that say 10 years ago the xx1 series was under the radar and recommended as being a quality unit for a good price. These days however I’m wondering if the 771 say, stands up on its own merits even if it is of similar price.
I have been leaning toward the 771 for some of those reasons you mention… but that’s only from info I’ve scoured from the web.

 

[Sansuite]

Don't know about the others (or the degree of difficulty of working on any of them), but I have the 5000a, and the sound is lovely. I don't like using the term warm as to me, it normally denotes a lack of detail. However, in the case of the 5000a, it is both warm, and detailed and a pleasure to listen to.

With the 5000a, be sure it has the F6013 driver boards. It originally came with 1040 boards, which tended to overheat and catch fire. Sansui did a recall so most were replaced. There may be some that didn't bother taking theirs in though. The boards are clearly marked, as seen below. (Simply remove the top cover.)
View attachment 2989660

Thanks for the reply. I have to say the 5000a really intrigues me. I asked the person selling if he knew which driver boards it had but he said he had no idea and didn’t seem too keen to look into it.

 

[Sansuite]

I’d go the 771 great receiver that has plenty of features power and well made - regardless of whatever option you chose make sure you invest in a restoration to ensure it’s working to its full potential and reliable.

Thanks for your reply. My instinct tells me the 771 is the best option for me but I thought I’d put the question out there. From what I’ve ascertained from my research it’s a quality unit that should be straight forward to work on in the future and potentially less trouble than the others

 

[Sansuite]

Hi @Sansuite

Welcome to AK and the Sansui forum. Where are you located in Australia. I may be able to help out with your search.

Cheers
John

I’m in New Brighton, northern NSW.

 

[quadmatrix82]

Good to see another fellow Aussie here passionate about Sansui

 

[quadmatrix82]

Thanks for your reply. My instinct tells me the 771 is the best option for me but I thought I’d put the question out there. From what I’ve ascertained from my research it’s a quality unit that should be straight forward to work on in the future and potentially less trouble than the others

You can’t go wrong with a 771 I restored a 661 earlier in the year and was very impressed with it, I’ve had 3 771 receivers they are easy to restore and sound great

 

[markd51]

Others that are very nice, the Sansui Seven, Sansui Eight, and Eight Deluxe, the 7070, and 8080.

The 7000 was closely comparable to the Sansui Seven in size, features, and appearance. Slightly different Wood Case on the 7000, but pretty. I had one.

The 7000 was not originally sold in Audio Stores, this was a Unit sold exclusively in Military Base PX/BX Stores.

 

[playittwice]

Good point, Mark. I’ve had a few Sansui and other brand receivers through the stable., including a 9090. The only two I keep around is the Seven and a lowly 210. The single digit series are special in build and sonics. They also have a timeless look, I feel.

Not sure how available they are near you, but the single digits are the ones I would be hunting down. I should add, I did have a 661 here for a while. Very nice sounding unit as well! I would have happy with that one, but the Seven edged it out. Can’t keep ‘em all.

So, with the options listed I would concur, the 771 would be a good choice.

Good luck to ya!

 

[SimplerTimes]

Another vote for the 771.

 

[Sansuite]

Good point, Mark. I’ve had a few Sansui and other brand receivers through the stable., including a 9090. The only two I keep around is the Seven and a lowly 210. The single digit series are special in build and sonics. They also have a timeless look, I feel.

Not sure how available they are near you, but the single digits are the ones I would be hunting down. I should add, I did have a 661 here for a while. Very nice sounding unit as well! I would have happy with that one, but the Seven edged it out. Can’t keep ‘em all.

So, with the options listed I would concur, the 771 would be a good choice.

Good luck to ya!

I haven’t seen any single digits come up for sale since I’ve been looking, which is about a year now. I’ll keep looking though and in the meantime pick up one of these.

 

[JimEGR]

Thanks for the detailed response. I have read those threads you posted and quite a few others. One thing I thought was that say 10 years ago the xx1 series was under the radar and recommended as being a quality unit for a good price. These days however I’m wondering if the 771 say, stands up on its own merits even if it is of similar price.
I have been leaning toward the 771 for some of those reasons you mention… but that’s only from info I’ve scoured from the web.

I think it still stands up. Risen up, actually. My 331 runs full time in the family common area. Smooth XX1 series sonics perfect for the space.

 

[AlTinkster92]

I put a 221 in a bedroom years ago, runs with the big dogs and holds it own. These are great sounding receivers.

 

[Filip I]

What speakers are you using? How sensitive are they? The reason I am asking is if you have speakers above 90 db, 331,221 might do the job. If you have something like AR speakers ( 86 db ) then I would do with something with at least 50 w/ch. 881,771,661 are DC amps, 331,221 are capacitor coupled design, different sound,more mellow,musical than DC amps which are more linear,dynamic...preferences aside all of these options will serve you more than fine,just might run into some problems if you decide to crank it up sometimes.

As already mentioned 5000 is great options if driver board is updated. If not I would play safer and go with 4000,2000,771,221...

If you ran into sansui 800 that would be the ticket!

 

[AlTinkster92]

Using Timewindows QED's, 87 db and they sound great.

 

[Filip I]

Using Timewindows QED's, 87 db and they sound great.

Don't dubt they sond awesome, still with 87 db I would go with something bigger. 35w/ch would be my minimum for that kind of setup.