Sansui au-x501 vs AU-D5/D7

[pecata35]

Hello, I want to purchase my first Sansui amp. I can only get the models I mentioned above au-x501 vs AU-D5 or D7. I haven't heard any Sansui in live just on Youtube.

Can you give me advise which one of these is better build?
Which one is better in sound or is more detailed than the other.
And are these Sansui amps more detailed than a Pioneer amp, A 717 for example? Do they have softer bass like Marantz do or is it punchier like Pioneer's ?

 

[DB-7]

The AU-X501 is the hands down winner.
It has better sound, better build and better appearance.
The wpc is the same as the D7 at 80wpc.
The X501 will be far more detailed and precise than either of the D series.

I have no idea how it would compare to a Pioneer or Marantz

I have two D7's here. One will be used as parts. The other is ok, but will likely never be used and may end up parts too.

 

[pecata35]

The AU-X501 is the hands down winner.
It has better sound, better build and better appearance.
The wpc is the same as the D7 at 80wpc.
The X501 will be far more detailed and precise than either of the D series.

I have no idea how it would compare to a Pioneer or Marantz

I have two D7's here. One will be used as parts. The other is ok, but will likely never be used and may end up parts too.

Thanks for the answer! That helps me a lot. Here I have read about AU-D5 that it's not build like the older models. And I checked the transistors of the AU-X501 and saw big SanKen ones which I like
Also the price of the AU-X501 is the as the D5, the D7 is 100 euro more so you made me choice easier. I was more towards to the AU-X501 but the D5 has nice display which i'll trade for the sound!
Thank you again!

 

[pecata35]

The AU-X501 is the hands down winner.
It has better sound, better build and better appearance.
The wpc is the same as the D7 at 80wpc.
The X501 will be far more detailed and precise than either of the D series.

I have no idea how it would compare to a Pioneer or Marantz

I have two D7's here. One will be used as parts. The other is ok, but will likely never be used and may end up parts too.

For double the price of AU-X501 I can take an AU-710. Is it a big step up?

 

[DB-7]

It's a step backwards in my opinion. In terms of sound quality.

The AU-710 will have better build and have a better collector value to it, but will need a recap and service if it hasn't been done already.
The AU-X501 is old too, but should still be safely usable without a total rebuild.

 

[pecata35]

It's a step backwards in my opinion. In terms of sound quality.

The AU-710 will have better build and have a better collector value to it, but will need a recap and service if it hasn't been done already.
The AU-X501 is old too, but should still be safely usable without a total rebuild.

In the ad the guy said it's serviced but can mean only cleaned not recaped so I'll call him and if it's fully recapped it's a good buy, right?

 

[pete_mac]

AU-X501 for sound quality, but that assumes you prefer a more accurate and detailed sound quality characteristic. I do, and in comparison to later amps like the 501, the 717/710 sounds slightly veiled. Each to their own though.

 

[pecata35]

AU-X501 for sound quality, but that assumes you prefer a more accurate and detailed sound quality characteristic. I do, and in comparison to later amps like the 501, the 717/710 sounds slightly veiled. Each to their own though.

I had Marantz pm 7003 and it was more detailed than my Pioneer a 717 but when I needed it to go loud it started to distort. The Pioneer has a great sound and a lot of power, the Marantz was just more detailed so I sold it. I think the both Sansuis will do the job like my Pioneer but if the ai-x501 has more sound quality I would pick it!

 

[pecata35]

As a conclusion - AU-X501 has better sound quality and the The AU-710 is better build but as detailed in sound?

 

[JimEGR]

As a conclusion - AU-X501 has better sound quality and the The AU-710 is better build but as detailed in sound?

I own many from both of those generations. Neither sounds objectively "better". Better is subjective and definitely up to the individual ear for preference. @pete_mac summed it up well - "in comparison to later amps like the 501, the 717/710 sounds slightly veiled". The older sound has a warmth and fullness that is appealing. The newer sound has a clarity that reveals more definition and details.

The AU-710 is overbuilt compared to the AU-X501. You could also say the AU-X501 does more with less. Something to admire about both.

1987 AU-X501


1977 AU-710 - Most notable difference, dual power supplies with separate transformers, pairs of big caps and driver boards. Also, beefier chassis, brackets, faceplate and controls.


An AU-X501 video (no affiliation)

Not sure where you want to go with your collection, but you could also pick up both. Both are great Sansui pieces, just for different reasons.

 

[pecata35]

I own many from both of those generations. Neither sounds objectively "better". Better is subjective and definitely up to the individual ear for preference. @pete_mac summed it up well - "in comparison to later amps like the 501, the 717/710 sounds slightly veiled". The older sound has a warmth and fullness that is appealing. The newer sound has a clarity that reveals more definition and details.

The AU-710 is overbuilt compared to the AU-X501. You could also say the AU-X501 does more with less. Something to admire about both.

1987 AU-X501
View attachment 3056966

1977 AU-710 - Most notable difference, dual power supplies with separate transformers, pairs of big caps and driver boards. Also, beefier chassis, brackets, faceplate and controls.
View attachment 3056967

An AU-X501 video (no affiliation)

Not sure where you want to go with your collection, but you could also pick up both. Both are great Sansui pieces, just for different reasons.

I think I will go the clarity and details. And how is the bass of the Sansuis. Is it punchy like the Pioneer's one or soft like the Marantz?

 

[JimEGR]

I think I will go the clarity and details. And how is the bass of the Sansuis. Is it punchy like the Pioneer's one or soft like the Marantz?

I've never felt any felt Sansui lacked bass. In fact I rarely use the Loudness button. The only exception would be with some newer Alpha's on certain speakers. (amp/speaker synergy varies). To my ear, the earlier Sansui had fatter lower ends.

 

[GrisPato]

Interesting to is that the AU-X501 ( as the AU-Dxx, AU-Gxx did) uses a circuit design for the power amplifier that you could see as an evolution of the AU-717s circuit.

AU-717:



AU-X501



Differences circled.

 

[pecata35]

From what I read on the net and listen on youtube I can tell that they have bass and sound good. But on youtube even with the headphones, it's not like in person. I think I'll listen to the au-x 501 in person and will see if I would take it. I can't listen to both in person because they are far away from each other.

 

[JimEGR]

From what I read on the net and listen on youtube I can tell that they have bass and sound good. But on youtube even with the headphones, it's not like in person. I think I'll listen to the au-x 501 in person and will see if I would take it. I can't listen to both in person because they are far away from each other.

Oh yes if you demo it that is certainly ideal. Keep us all posted.

 

[CrSens]

For a slightly different take, I have both AU-X911DG and AU-717, and I prefer the older unit, mostly because of midrange clarity and insight, and quiet, calm transparency and treble purity that is hard to give up once you hear it. AU-X is more attractive on first listen, because of more open sound in treble, but once the treble gets busy with harsher recordings, the calmer and more nuanced treble of 717 wins over.
But I am coming from high end audio background, and if loudness and tone controls are what's in play, sophisticated delivery of 717 will not matter that much.

 

[DB-7]

For a slightly different take, I have both AU-X911DG and AU-717, and I prefer the older unit, mostly because of midrange clarity and insight, and quiet, calm transparency and treble purity that is hard to give up once you hear it. AU-X is more attractive on first listen, because of more open sound in treble, but once the treble gets busy with harsher recordings, the calmer and more nuanced treble of 717 wins over.
But I am coming from high end audio background, and if loudness and tone controls are what's in play, sophisticated delivery of 717 will not matter that much.

That all sounds 100% opposite of what I hear between the two. AU-717 vs AU- alpha /AU X-balanced integrates.
Is your AU-717 restored/upgraded?

 

[CrSens]

That all sounds 100% opposite of what I hear between the two. AU-717 vs AU- alpha /AU X-balanced integrates.
Is your AU-717 restored/upgraded?

Yes, it is restored. Normally I stay away from expressing opinion about Sansui amp sound (too personal, taste dependent), but sometimes I do let it out for whatever it is worth.

 

[pecata35]

Well, I have 3 options:

2 - AU-X501
and
1 - AU-710 (AU-717)

So I called one of the 501 and the guy said the amp is very good but the knob isn't original so now my option is down to just 1 au-x501 and 1 au 710. The problem is that I can hear only the AU-710 in person. And in the ad it's said that it's serviced so I'll call him to see what has he done to it.

 

[pecata35]

I have a question about the Au-710 because it has different adjustions for treble and bass. How do they work? If none of the two for bass is active it boosts the bass on 50hz and when I press the 200 or 400hz it boosts it on the one that is selected, right? Because if it boosts only one of the selected it will be useless for me...