Hey there. I was curious, what are the differences between the two? I currently have a 5000a (and qs 500 I've yet to hook up) and am able to acquire an au-999 and tu-999 combo for a pretty good price. Is there much of a difference between the 5000a, and the au/tu 999 setup? I think I'll be losing 5 watts (which isn't much), but sonically would I be gaining? Thanks!
From 5000a to au-999?
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stereofun
Super Member
I have a 4000 and a 999. Here is the dilemma as I see it. The 999 is an exceptional amplifier, but not before it goes under the knife for a rebuild and particular some modification. In stock you will find a nice clean stereo perspective, but also an amp that is lacking in the bass and punch department, especially compared to the x000 series. The 999 also suffers from a pre-amp that acts like a bottle neck until it is modified. Older 999's have a sub sonic filter installed that limits its low end, another thing that may need attention. Having said that, the amp itself has a first rate construction with an excellent tone control section. It is incredible easy to work on and just a beautiful piece inside and out. So it really comes down to whether you are ready to give it some attention, either by yourself or by a competent tech. cheers 
p.s I should mention that the 999 not only is easy and fun to work on, but there is also a ton of information and know how available on this forum on how to turn it into one of the Sansui greats.
p.s I should mention that the 999 not only is easy and fun to work on, but there is also a ton of information and know how available on this forum on how to turn it into one of the Sansui greats.
I'm not sure I'm ready to work on my Sansui just yet. I've got an old tube amp to learn some point to point wiring on, but eventually I hope to be able to work on all kinds of stuff. I'm glad there's a ton of info though, it's always awesome when you have access to quality information from both manuals, and those who've done the work themselves.
I really enjoy the bass I get out of my 5000a, so it sounds like I'd be missing some of that. The styling on the 999 is pretty sweet though, not that the 5000a is bad either... Tough call it seems.
I really enjoy the bass I get out of my 5000a, so it sounds like I'd be missing some of that. The styling on the 999 is pretty sweet though, not that the 5000a is bad either... Tough call it seems.
mmann68
Active Member
Big picture, you really can't go wrong on any of the Sansui gear from this time frame. Of course, I am biased 
. I agree with Stereofun on the AU-999 in restored and modded condition. A really nice amp, and like you say yourself a definite winner in the looks department. I have a 5000x in addition to an AU-999 (along with a QRX-9001, so yeah I am biased toward Sansui) and the 5000x is going to be slightly more colored (warm, I guess) sounding than the AU-999. Even restored, I find the AU-999 to have the more straight ahead sound that Stereofun describes. If you prefer a sound that is going to recreate the sound that was intended more cleanly, with that cool look, the AU-999 might be worth your time. If you are looking for the more colored, vintage-y sound you might just want to stick with that 5000, because it is an awesome receiver in its own.
. I agree with Stereofun on the AU-999 in restored and modded condition. A really nice amp, and like you say yourself a definite winner in the looks department. I have a 5000x in addition to an AU-999 (along with a QRX-9001, so yeah I am biased toward Sansui) and the 5000x is going to be slightly more colored (warm, I guess) sounding than the AU-999. Even restored, I find the AU-999 to have the more straight ahead sound that Stereofun describes. If you prefer a sound that is going to recreate the sound that was intended more cleanly, with that cool look, the AU-999 might be worth your time. If you are looking for the more colored, vintage-y sound you might just want to stick with that 5000, because it is an awesome receiver in its own.
Daunia 70
Lunatic Member
Personally,I wouldn't bother with the AU-999 as there's miles better sounding 70's integrated amps out there. Even your 5000A receiver had a much higher retail price than the AU-999 at around the same period and sounded better. Although,perhaps if the AU-999 was modified it'd show some bass and warmth,not to mention depth!
stereofun
Super Member
With a bottleneck pre-amp, sub sonic filters as well as differential current balance that are more than likely out of whack (either it wasn't a big deal in 1971 or the respective 999 circuit makes that part especially prone to drift) - the Au-999 does sound somewhat flat and uninspiring, not bad, but not particular good either. However, once properly restored and modded, this amp takes a bigger leap than any other amp I have worked on. Spades of depth, resolution and some very respectable low end are in store. It is also a very clean sounding amp, even while it stays lush and musical. In comparison, the Eight and Eight D, has a bit more of a punchy and rhythmic sound stage, almost as much detail and separation, but also a bit flatter more dry sound compared to the 999.
P.s I am sure the production cost of adding a whole tuner section was mostly responsible for the 5000's higher price. The 999 is pretty simple, except for the tone controls where it lived up to its description as "a professional control amplifier" .
Trnsfmr
Well-Known Member
Funny, I often think of the the AU999, even with all the mods, as being tubey, colored, and very vintage sounding. But... I love it to death.
To me though, from the very first time I heard one, I thought it was the best. All the mods have just opened it up given it more power and made it even better. It's really amazing that Sansui could design such a wonderful amp and then make all the mistakes they made on it, like the protection circuit, and that low pass filter thingie, which I have never seen, but I look for it, because it is there on the schematic.
Have you actually seen the low filter thingie, Tom? I was beginning to think that it never made it to production.
To me though, from the very first time I heard one, I thought it was the best. All the mods have just opened it up given it more power and made it even better. It's really amazing that Sansui could design such a wonderful amp and then make all the mistakes they made on it, like the protection circuit, and that low pass filter thingie, which I have never seen, but I look for it, because it is there on the schematic.
Have you actually seen the low filter thingie, Tom? I was beginning to think that it never made it to production.
stereofun
Super Member
Hi Jim, absolutely - Iam om my phone now but can send you pic later from my restoration. Those filters are two small elongated pcb's 1/4 inch x 2 or so, with a few caps. Acording to memory they are located on each side between supply caps and lower set of drivers as seen from the bottom. Only early versions have them. I have not heard a stock 999 without them, so that may explain why the stock sounded a bit "light" to me.....ofcourse at the time I A/B'd it next to the bassy cap coupled 777a.
Tom
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Trnsfmr
Well-Known Member
Well, that is interesting. Where you describe it is just where I think it would be. We've probably restored 15-20 of these things, but come to think of it, there were only a couple that had never been worked on. I wouldn't be surprised if many of them had the board removed.
It seems like they all had the protection board though. We just cut the wires and wrap them up and zip tie them to the board. Most of these were so bad they caused distortion in normal play. Kevzep says they should be after the fuse, and maybe they would safely work that way, but all the ones we've seen were before the speaker fuse.
Once we do our trip on these amps, they almost sound like a DC amp, as far as the low end is concerned, a very nice low end. In fact, we rarely use any EQ at all on our shop AU999, no 2-4db bass boost. It sounds that good.
It seems like they all had the protection board though. We just cut the wires and wrap them up and zip tie them to the board. Most of these were so bad they caused distortion in normal play. Kevzep says they should be after the fuse, and maybe they would safely work that way, but all the ones we've seen were before the speaker fuse.
Once we do our trip on these amps, they almost sound like a DC amp, as far as the low end is concerned, a very nice low end. In fact, we rarely use any EQ at all on our shop AU999, no 2-4db bass boost. It sounds that good.
stereofun
Super Member
Sorry OP for drifting the thread a bit off topic, at least you are getting some opinions on the AU-999 and the work it needs.
To Jim - Check out this thread, post #4 - there is a great close up of the board squeezed in between the drivers and supply caps. Some folks leave the board in place and just connect the two incoming wires right at the board, but skipping the circuit. I remove the boards entirely as it cleans up the underside nicely. The boards are connected to the speaker selector and pre amp slots. I prefer to shorten the wire and go directly from the speaker selector to the pre amp.
To Jim - Check out this thread, post #4 - there is a great close up of the board squeezed in between the drivers and supply caps. Some folks leave the board in place and just connect the two incoming wires right at the board, but skipping the circuit. I remove the boards entirely as it cleans up the underside nicely. The boards are connected to the speaker selector and pre amp slots. I prefer to shorten the wire and go directly from the speaker selector to the pre amp.