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Sansui B-2101 C-2101 owners, would I be happy?

Robisme

Robisme

Sansui Enthusiast
Subscriber
I know the B-2101 and C-2101 are probably the lowest in that series of amps, but I am thinking about getting a set.
My current system has an AU-719 and my daughter is running an AU-G99X.
It would replace my AU-719.
I enjoy the sound of both and believe the B-2101 is much like the G99X.

Any words of wisdom from B-2101 owners? Or those that have owned?

Thanks.

Rob
 
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Rob, I don't have personal experience with the series but I have a good friend that has this to say about his B-2101:

"The combination AU-717/B-2101 is beyond any expectation, a fantastic experience that has caught my preference totally, for me, they are a must (and I have 2 of each of them!)."

He had his refurbished, and also has several other refurbished Sansui amps; AU-11000 & 20000 and others he compares to. He listens to technical symphony orchestra mostly but enjoys regular music too lol. Lots of vinyl, and some special CDP. I'll show him this thread but I've yet to get him to join AK.

Best of luck. :thmbsp:
 
I got a B-2101 in May (see my thread on how I almost fucl<ed it up by putting in a cap backwards....), recapped it, and use it to drive my subs. It kicks very well and has decent build quality, but not like the pre-'80 gear. Super pure clean amplification with NO distortion!

Mine has fading Fluoro in the meters but I have learned to live with it because there is no remedy.
 
I think the B-2101 and nearly identical B-2102 are sort of sleepers.

I have a B-2102 that got the crap beat out of it in shipping. It is hard to understand exactly what happened to it in order to cave the bottom plate in so the corners stick down next to the feet. Like the feet got pushed up with great force somehow- maybe it got dropped flat on its feet or the whole box got dropped from considerable height. It also got dropped on the corner, which flattened that a bit.

The meters don't work, and one of the main power cap plastic bases is cracked.

Point being, after all that it still works and sounds quite similar to my AU-D11 II, but perhaps a bit less refined. So the build quality is at least decent. I don't use it much until I get someone to look at it.

Suidog, where did your friend get his worked on?
 
Can't go wrong

Rob,
I've had my B/C 2101s since new, rebuilt both of them last year. If you are looking for a combination that does not color the audio I think you'll be very happy. As for build quality, looks good to me with quality components. It does weight a few lbs, but those lbs aren’t from an overly built bulky frame. I have mine coupled to a pair of B&W Nautilus 802s. Nothing but pure music.
 
Riverrat, I haven't forgot you, I'm waiting for an e-mail from this guy about who rebuilt his B-2101 and other amps. He's a professional of some sorts and busy but never fails to return messages. He found a seller on eBay that works on his gear, Patrick something, I'll find out. You might talk to a resident AK tech. :scratch2:
 
BlueConnect said:
Rob,
I've had my B/C 2101s since new, rebuilt both of them last year. If you are looking for a combination that does not color the audio I think you'll be very happy. As for build quality, looks good to me with quality components. It does weight a few lbs, but those lbs aren’t from an overly built bulky frame. I have mine coupled to a pair of B&W Nautilus 802s. Nothing but pure music.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Do you have the TU-717 with them? How does it match up looks wise?

I would probably use the TU-719 with them (if I even wind up getting them).

Anyone know what tuner was made to go with the B-2101?

Rob
 
Rob,
I do have my TU-717 (original owner) connected. Replaced my AU-717 with the B/C-2101 in 1985. As for looks, looks fine. I'm in the process of building a rack system to properly house them. I don't recall a matching Tuner especially built for the series, that does not mean there wasn't. Just about any Tuner with the handles removed should look OK.
 
You replaced the AU-717 with the B-2101? Ever look back?

I would be replacing my AU-719.:tears:

Rob
 
SuiDog said:
Riverrat, I haven't forgot you, I'm waiting for an e-mail from this guy about who rebuilt his B-2101 and other amps. He's a professional of some sorts and busy but never fails to return messages. He found a seller on eBay that works on his gear, Patrick something, I'll find out. You might talk to a resident AK tech. :scratch2:
Click to expand...

Thanks Suidog. I'll stand by. Hope to find someone local, as blueconnect notes these amps are pretty heavy so I don't want to ship it.

Sorry to hijack your thread robisme. The Classic Sansui site shows a brochure that includes the B-2101 and the TU-D99X tuner. If it was me, I'd just run it with your TU-719, a much nicer looking unit IMO. But then I've never been very concerned about matching components. I actually kind of like the custom, "mix and match" look myself...
 
Yeah, nice pics there BlueConnect, thanks.

Riverrat, I got bad news and good news, the guy who worked on my friends amps moved to Jakarta!, but check out what my friend says about it (I really need to stay in touch better):

Patrick left to Jakarta in February 2007. He said he was leaving for 2 years. He did a terrific job on my B2101. I connected it to my restored CA-3000 last April and since then I have not changed my set up, the sound is so good that I simply can't move a single thing from the system. It sounds beautifully, very warm, tube like sound.
Click to expand...
So, knowing the amps he has to choose from, I'd say the B-2101 is a very worthy choice. Sorry I didn't come through for you on the technician.
 
You still there, Riverrat? Got another e-mail from my friend, Turns out he is dealing with an AK member. MAybe the person Xxx will contact you, if he recognizes this. I don't want to post private info, but this gives him a pretty good recommendation check it out:

"Xxx is excellent in restoring Sansui gears, as I said in my previous email, the work he did on my CA-3000 is simply remarkable. He uses Nichicon and Pansonic capacitors and performs the restoration work as per Sansui's specs. He is currently finishing my Sansui SR-929, which had speed problems. Also, he is working on my AU-11000. When Patrick told me he was leaving to Jakarta I felt in the dark and I even thought to sell all my Sansui (approx 15 amps), leaving just 3 or 4 of them. I'm totally satisfied with Xxx's work. On top of that, he is very friendly and open to share his knowledge, he has spend long time in telephone conversations with me, something I deeply appreciate. It seems he doesn't do mods.

I hope this helps you and your friend who has the problem with his B2101. I have 3 of them. I'm going to have the other two also recapped and restored. The B2101 is a wonderful performer."

Will the real Xxx please stand up! :banana::banana::banana:
 
Robisme said:
Thanks. Do you have the TU-717 with them? How does it match up looks wise?

I would probably use the TU-719 with them (if I even wind up getting them).

Anyone know what tuner was made to go with the B-2101?

Rob
Click to expand...

Robisme it looks like the tuner at the time was the TU-D99X. Here's a listing on Craigslist right now for the amp, preamp and other componenets like the tuner, eq, dual cassette, and turntable that were available 1987/88. I first saw this amp when I was working on merchant ships as a radio officer, and we went to Kadina Air Base in Okinawa. It was at the PX store there. I think I remember it being about $550. I'm not sure if that included the pre amp (control amp) or not. Anyway, I didn't realize how sweet a piece of gear this was at the time or would have bought the amp/preamp. This was in December/1987. When I got back to the states in July/1988, I called the Sansui rep in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area about it. This guy (who was a little cocky) said that it was origianlly designed to sell for $5,000, and that it was a great amplifier. He said it was no longer available, but that he could get me the set for $1100.

I said, "I don't think you want to sell me one".
He said, "I don't think you want to buy one".

Instead I got a Kenwood M2A and preamp. I should have bought the Sansui and taken the chance with this rep.

Regards,
Endzone in Seattle

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/ele/552318528.html

original.jpg
 
I missed out on the ones I was after. There is another set on SF CL for $650. They have been for sale for awhile so I asked if he would take less and he never responded.

Oh well.

Rob
 
Alright Rob, I hope you find a good one. It's risky buying stuff on Ebay, so maybe you can find one local. It seems like when us guys get older (I'm 51 myself) we don't need the 200 watts/channel anymore. I'm speaking for myself of course. In fact I bought a 5050 receiver/amp on Ebay that I tought had great sound, but after it had been on a while it started to emit some kind of bad odor. I'm still looking for a smaller amp like the guy in another thread on this board.

I'm almost certain I've been to an oil terminal to load in Martinez, CA when I worked for Texaco Marine 1989 to 1991. I know for sure we loaded in Vallejo once. My Uncle's ship (USNS Comet) is tied up right there in the Suisan Bay ready reserve force. He worked on it for 10 years in the 1970's.

Regards,
Craig
 
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