My First Sansui

[BirdLives]

Greetings...

Wanting to set up a second vintage system and believe I'm way past due to experience All Things Sansui...

I've previously owned Pioneer, Marantz and McIntosh amps, preamps and receivers and was hoping to get some advice/recommendations for my first Sansui. I'm interested in the 4-5000 or G-XXXX series receivers and the AU series amps.

I'm looking to pair this choice with a vintage pair of JBLs, Heresys or Bozaks and have a turntable and DAC as additional components.

Thanks very much...

 

[rickb119]

I sure do love my Sansui AU-919! However, they've gotten a bit pricey since I bought mine. I also have a 5000a that I picked up a while back. Nice little receiver that can be found at reasonable prices. Just make sure they have the updated driver boards as the originals had a tendency to self ignite. The 919 is crisp, clear, clean and very detailed. The 5000a is warmer and less detailed, but still very clean, clear and easy to listen to. It's driving a pair of Norman model 8's, soon to be replaced with ADS L710's. (Once it warms up enough to build proper "holders" for the half wall in the garage.)

Good luck with your search.

 

[BirdLives]

I sure do love my Sansui AU-919! However, they've gotten a bit pricey since I bought mine. I also have a 5000a that I picked up a while back. Nice little receiver that can be found at reasonable prices. Just make sure they have the updated driver boards as the originals had a tendency to self ignite. The 919 is crisp, clear, clean and very detailed. The 5000a is warmer and less detailed, but still very clean, clear and easy to listen to. It's driving a pair of Norman model 8's, soon to be replaced with ADS L710's. (Once it warms up enough to build proper "holders" for the half wall in the garage.)

Good luck with your search.

Thanks for the reply... I was aware of the issues with the driver boards.

 

[BirdLives]

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I have owned Sansui since new and would highly recommend the G-7700 to G9700 series.
Exceptional frequency response and exceptional sound with classic looks as well as huge amounts of headroom. (my #1 Sansui made over 300 watts with distortion just starting to edge up to audible levels which was still under 9% thanks in part to her huge capacitors)
There is a nice G7700 on epay USA right now, ends in about 12 hours and the bids are still respectable.(not mine, no affiliation)

The G series are extremely well respected in the Audiophile community and with it's beautiful rosewood cabinet even the wifey will love it!

cheers and beers,

moe of the north


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Thanks very much... it's a beauty.

 

[LBPete]

The 4000, 5000 and G series receivers are very different designs with noticeably different sound characteristics. The 4000 and 5000 are very early transistorized design. They certainly have their fans but are also likely to have component failures. The G series represent the pinnacle of 1970s design and will have much more "modern" and somewhat more reliable components. The AU series of amps also span that design curve. The transistor amps started to appear in the mid/late 60s and continued into the 1990s.

Experiencing these differences and their acoustical signatures is the heart of this hobby and why many of use own a lot of them.

- Pete

 

[KeithD]

My recommendation would depend on what you want to spend and sound you are going for. For early Sansui, the 5000 is popular, and the 5000X has gotten expensive. Too expensive for what you are getting, IMHO. Next come the single digits, which are very well regarded: Eight, Seven, Six, and Eight Deluxe. Build and sound quality are excellent on the Eight, and prices are in the middle. I think the Seven is the sleeper and a very good value for what you are getting. Lot of likes here for the xx1 series, but build quality is not as good, and all the cases are vinyl covered rather than walnut veneer. The x0x0 series is well regarded, but the TOTL 9090 and 9090db are on the high end price wise. As others have said, the G series is very well regarded, but prices reflect that. I'd like to have one from this series myself to compare the sound to my earlier gear, but price is a hindrance. Of course then there are the quadraphonic units...

Of the stereo receivers I have, if I had to pick one, it would be the Eight.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Yes, the key is, what are you looking for? I found the 2000X to be a very good receiver although I thought the tuner could be better. I used the preamp section with one to soften a very bight Mitsubishi amp I had. I loved the AU-5500, so I got myself an AU-9900. Both are really nice. Never had a G series, so can't comment. I had a 661, and it sounded good, but I didn't care for the style that much. My first Sansei was a 9090, and I didn't care for it. At the time, though, I was trying to drive some power hungry speakers.

 

[maxhifi]

I have a 5000A I got in a trade, and although I very much like how it sounds, if someone offered me a straight up trade for nearly any G series I would do it without hesitation

I second Moe's suggestion, either a G or maybe an 8080 or 9090.

 

[SaturationPt]

Are you looking for an amplifier, integrated, or receiver. I think that there are favorites in each. Budget will also play a part, if you want the best receiver then the 33000 is the one, but it's expensive.

I have only one Sansui piece currently an AU-11000A which I bought for its looks, but it also sounds very nice. The separate amp-preamp version is even prettier, ... but again it's all about opinion (and sometimes availability/opportunity).

I think it will help your search to post what parameters you can: budget, receiver vs amp or integrated, black-face or silver, meters, wood case or not, power, is all-out performance worth more than vintage style, etc.

 

[BirdLives]

Are you looking for an amplifier, integrated, or receiver. I think that there are favorites in each. Budget will also play a part, if you want the best receiver then the 33000 is the one, but it's expensive.

I have only one Sansui piece currently an AU-11000A which I bought for its looks, but it also sounds very nice. The separate amp-preamp version is even prettier, ... but again it's all about opinion (and sometimes availability/opportunity).

I think it will help your search to post what parameters you can: budget, receiver vs amp or integrated, black-face or silver, meters, wood case or not, power, is all-out performance worth more than vintage style, etc.

My main system now is a McIntosh MA 5100 pre/amp driving KEF Q700s, a Technics SL-1700, TEAC A-2300S, Sony UHP-H1 BluRay/CD/SACD player, Nakamichi BX-300 and Topping D50 DAC. I'm very pleased with this set up (both visually and sonically) and want to set up a Junior Varsity version of this with a smaller footprint.

I'm probably looking for a receiver or integrated... again, this will be a second vintage system (possibly bedroom) with another Sony BluRay/CD/SACD player, DAC and vintage speakers (JBL, Klipsch or Bozak). I do have a set of KEF Q300s that could be inserted into the mix as well.

Want to keep the budget on the receiver to be < $500 (or so).

Leaning towards the G series or Seven... or an integrated.

 

[yesshows77]

Receiver-wise, you most likely are not going to do much better than a model Seven. Many of the Sansui models have become so expensive that most people can only afford the lower end models these days. The single digit series was arguably their best effort. Obviously, you can get much more power with the later models, but they won't match the build quality of the older line. There are also several great integrated amps that Sansui released, but again most of them are selling for big money. I love my AU-7700 and I highly recommend any model from that series (or just about any Sansui AU amp for that matter).

 

[bluesky]

What (Sansui) sound are you looking for or desire ?

Read the Sansui thread:
What would be the 'best' Sansui amplifier for sound quality?

 

[BirdLives]

Receiver-wise, you most likely are not going to do much better than a model Seven. Many of the Sansui models have become so expensive that most people can only afford the lower end models these days. The single digit series was arguably their best effort. Obviously, you can get much more power with the later models, but they won't match the build quality of the older line. There are also several great integrated amps that Sansui released, but again most of them are selling for big money. I love my AU-7700 and I highly recommend any model from that series (or just about any Sansui AU amp for that matter).

Thanks for the reply...

 

[KeithD]

Thanks for the reply...

Yes, for price and footprint, you won't do much better than a Seven. I picked up my Seven a few months ago on e-bay for about $200 total. Just needed new fuses and some dial lights. For whatever reasons there are fewer Sevens for sale than Eights or Sixes. I think that's one reason it's a sleeper, fewer people know about them since they don't show up as often as the other two. Good luck!

 

[toneriderMUC]

If you want to rival your main system look for the Au G90x / D11 II. Or any of the Alpha models, they come in different price ranges and flavours. For starters, you could try an international AU X701 or Au Alpha 607dr or 607mrx. These later models all do sound different than the 70s range, with better details, much better dynamics and in general a more "audiophile" sound, so to say. Within the vintage range, I'd opt for AU 717 or AU 8500, but you would definetely want a serviced unit pre 1980. This even more so applies for the Au 919.

edit: I just saw the 500$ limit, this will rule out most of the Alphas, but still leave us with the X701 and D11 II / G90x. They both offer an amazing bang for the buck. Soundwise, to me, they are somehow between the warmer, classic vintage Sansui sound and the more sophisticated sound of the later Alpha range. Truly great amplifiers.