Sansui AU-7900 or AU-517?

D

Dimitrios

New Member
Can anyone out there please give me some advise on which series to upgrade too.

I currently own an entry level AU-2900 and looking at upgrading to a more powerfull model. I have been considering an AU-7900 which is the most powerful in the series but alternatively I have been looking at the next series up from mine which is the 07 series (AU-417 or 517 or 717).

What I love about my AU-2900 is that it has a wonderful warm clear and natural sound and need some feed back as to what the 07 series sounds like compared to mine, the technical specifications of the 07 series look more advanced with lower distortion figures but what do they sound like, are they clearer but still warm and natural or are they a step backwards.

Should I stick to the same series like the AU-7900 or a more advanced AU-417 or 517? :scratch2:
 
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Dimitrios said:
Can anyone out there please give me some advise on which series to upgrade too.

I currently own an entry level AU-2900 and looking at upgrading to a more powerfull model. I have been considering an AU-7900 which is the most powerful in the series but alternatively I have been looking at the next series up from mine which is the 07 series (AU-417 or 517 or 717).

What I love about my AU-2900 is that it has a wonderful warm clear and natural sound and need some feed back as to what the 07 series sounds like compared to mine, the technical specifications of the 07 series look more advanced with lower distortion figures but what do they sound like, are they clearer but still warm and natural or are they a step backwards.

Should I stick to the same series like the AU-7900 or a more advanced AU-417 or 517? :scratch2:
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This is a really tough call. I own an older AU-999 and I love the sound. I recently repaired an AU-719 and it too sounded great. The problem is that trying to compare 'audio memories' of sounds is a very personal thing.

That said, I think you will be very happy with an AU-7900. It is a great amp and certainly deserving of the praise it usually receives.

Paul
 
Amps

Hi Dimitrios,
Just an opinion, but the auX900 series are maybe built a bit better than the other series, both sound great, without a lot of study it seems the auX900 series sells a bit less expensively.....as far as sound you would have to put them side by side for a shoot out.
Casey
 
Hello Dimitrios,

The 7900 claims to have a very warm, tube-like sound to it according to some other Sansui fans I've spoken with and what I've read.

The 417 and 517, being DC amps, are of a different sound- cleaner and clearer, but not as warm. My Sansui AU-317 amp seems to support this.

These are my opinions and experiences (and results of discussions with others) only. I think that if you like the rich, warm sound of the 2900, the 7900 may be your ticket. If you want an imressive clean amp, the x17s may be a better choice. As I have two other amps considered "warm" amps and enjoy them tremendously (it's hard to argue the comfort a warm amp gives), the 317 is a nice unit to have when I am looking for a different sound and perspective to my source material being played, and is never a letdown.

According to one sansui website, basically the 4-number series "Sound-wise ...had rich tube like low frequency with the natural mid to high sound." The 3-number series "... was notably different from the previous Sansui amplifiers. (depending on model had either) very strong high frequency/or had very soft and natural high with the powerful low."

Here's a few good Sansui sites to take a gander at...

Best of Sansui-
http://www.sansui.us/

Classic Sansui/Sansui Lover's appreciation site-
http://www.classicsansui.net/

Classic Audio.com-
http://www.classicaudio.com/index.html

Cheers,
Paul
 
You cant go wrong with either of your two choices, they're both excellent. The thing to keep in mind though is, if you plan to upgrade, to make a fair comparison, both of these models that would be offered by a seller would have to be in similar condition.

The x17 line are "warm" sounding amps. Everything is relative, grasshopper. If it can be said that the x17 models are not as warm-sounding as the x900 (which is questionable), it can also be said that the later ("X balanced" AU-G models are not as warm-sounding as the x17 models. Then again, I have heard good things about the AU-G99X.
 
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