Sansui 8080 equivalent integrated amp model?

[roger2]

I recently stumbled onto an 8080

I am really impressed with that beast of a transformer in the 8080. As I am not really a receiver guy, I am curious whether there was a Sansui integrated amp from the same time frame as the 8080 that might use the same transformer, outputs, driver board etc ?

This may be a weird question...but the depth of knowledge here in the Sansui forum never ceases to amaze. If such an amp exists, or something similar, what model might it be?

 

[Hyperion]

As far as I can see the 8080 output stage is only 'similar', but somewhat less complicated than Sansui integrated amplifiers produced at about the same time. It seems receivers held on to the Quasi Complementary / Totem pole output scheme just a bit longer than integrated amplifiers produced at the same time, which had moved to fully complementary earlier. The 8080 isn't that close to any 'one' of the models like AU-666, AU-888/999, AU-7700, AU-8500 but taken as a group their individual details are closer. I looked at things like Output Topology, Biasing Scheme, Differential Input Arrangement, and so on. I think that's where the similarities end, no common boards, or transformers - but not 100% sure on that.

As you may be aware the TOTL receivers (G-22000/33000) got the TOTL output topology of the AU-X1 (or vice-versa), and subsequently there was no more development in this area for Sansui receivers, as the 'Receiver Wars' were over.

 

[roger2]

Thanks for looking into this @Hyperion and sharing your knowledge. I had assumed, incorrectly, that receiver and amplifier topologies would have been the same at any given point in time, and that it would have been economical and efficient for different models to share some boards, like interchangeable building blocks, as some (or many?) of the boards are plug-in.

That 8080 transformer is so massive (no doubt, even larger ones were used in even higher end models), that I would not have been surprised if it had been shared with some sister Sansuis. Perhaps, because Sansui was a transformer maker, it wouldn't have been too much trouble for them to create model-specific transformers. It's not like they were ordering batches of them from someone else.

Although I have had an AU-X701 for a few years, I have only recently had hands-on exposure to some of the vintage, higher end Sansui stuff. I am very impressed by what I have seen in this (non-working) 8080, and heard from a 5000X. And both of those receivers are absolutely gorgeous especially when all of the lights are glowing