• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Looking for vintage Sansui amp... are all good?

elnaldo

elnaldo

Lunatic Member
Hi,

This is my first post at Sansui forum, since looking for an amp or receiver, I' ve found that used Sansui are sold a bit cheaper than other brands down here in Argentina... and I know that there are several BIG Sansui amps all around.

Is it any model or series known to be not good?

Here are some pictures to illustrate what I've found around...

Any advice will be appreciated :)

Sansui_a5.jpg

Sansui_a40.jpg

Sansui_au217.jpg

Sansui4700img.jpg

SANSUI6613.jpg

sansuia505.jpg

sansuiimg.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
Most of the models that start with just "A" are low end stuff, not very good. The good amps start with "AU", the receivers that start with "R" are junk. The good ones start with G, or a number. If you want an integrated amp, the best are:
AU-9900, AU-11000, AU-20000, AU7900, AU-919, AU-717.
 
AU for very nice Integrated amps(pre+amp) when talking amps gotta give big love to the mighty BA series amps... even B series (aka B-2102, etc.). Just sayin'
 
Most of the models that start with just "A" are low end stuff, not very good.
Click to expand...

So, that's the reason why there are cheap ones around... I remember in my school days many friends had those sansui at home... So, I forget about the "A" and "R"...

There is one "AU" around... that AU 217. I'll check the specs.

What about the older ones, the "661" and "4700" receiver? They look cool !!
 
The 661 and 4700 are not super powerful, but should be nice sounding receivers. The 661 will have a bit more of a warm or laid back sound while the 4700 should be a bit more detailed. Both should be very musical and nice sounding receivers. If You dont need a lot of power and can get one cheap, go for it.
 
The best Sansui I've heard was an AU-x901 integrated...looked like black plastic crap, but sounded much better than my 9090db and AU-999. So there are a few later ones that sound good (but I haven't heard but so many Sansui amps...there obviously could be some that sound better than the one I just listed...it was really nice, though).
 
elnaldo said:
There is one "AU" around... that AU 217. I'll check the specs.
What about the older ones, the "661" and "4700" receiver? They look cool !!
Click to expand...

The AU-217 is a reliable performer. If you don't have very power-hungry speakers this well-build amp will not dissapoint you: it sounds good in combination with most speakers (also bigger ones!). In my opinion it is a very good "middle of the road" amp and a bit underrated (probably as it has a lot of bigger brothers in the same AU-x17 series).

-John-
 
Thanks for all the answers... I keep looking... Now that I know a bit more, I' ve noted that good ones are quite expensive here !!

I have an AU-217, 417 and 717 and really like the sound of the 217. It's very musical and sounds much more powerful than just 30 watts.
Click to expand...

That's what the seller says, that it sounds like a more powerful amp ! I'll check the price again.
 
Another clue is the weight. The heavier the better. The cheap stuff is very light weight. The lower end models of the good stuff, like the AU-217 are lighter than the the top of the line models.

- Pete
 
That G4700 is good for 50 watts output per channel, but is only rated for 8 ohm (impedance) speakers. I don't know what the AU-217 is rated for. With the G4700, you shouldn't run 4 or 6 ohm speakers, nor should you run 2 pair of 8 ohm speakers at the same time.
 
I have a G-5500 that performs great, 55 wpc through 8 ohms... power my Realistic Mach One 8 ohms very nicely! :yes:
 
Saw a mint G 2000 the other day at S A but left it there!Not enough wattage for me...:)
 
First off, it depends on the type of sound you're looking for, not to memtion what sort of speakers you're looking to drive. The earlier solid-state Sansui gear is very-well-built, extremely-smooth, and very-warm and musical-sounding. Receivers like the 1000x, 2000, 2000x, 3000, 4000, 5000x (The 5000A had an issue with something failing (perhaps a preamp board/section - Not sure), but if you find one that's already had the upgrade done, then it's a good one to get (Others can say more on that - I'm not a repair guy). Also, basically any of the integrated amps from the early '70's should have a similarly-smooth/warm sound.

Then you also have the mid-late '70's receivers and amps from the "power-hungry period ("The receiver wars" - when companies were competing to see who could build the biggest, baddest receivers/amps ever, and speakers were extremely-power-hungry). Lots of people swear by stuff from this era like the 7070, 8080, and especially the 9090/DB - Receivers from this era are identified by the X0X0 model # (as in 8080 or 9090). Personally, I've really been liking the earlier stuff. My main receiver is a 2000x - My speakers only handle 50w per pair, so the 2000x is a good match.
 
The 2000x is probably my most used unit.It has enough power for most listening levels and does it very well.
 
In terms of receivers, one of the best sounding I have heard was the Sansui model 8. I had one of these back in the seventies and was driving my new mid-sized Heil AMT-4 speakers with it. Plenty of power for a receiver of that era and warm sound. Of course it was not the same as my current AU-717/TU-717 combination.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom