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Sansui Product History: Amplifiers 1967-2000

JimEGR

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
The list below is complete for solid state integrated amplifiers 1967 - 2000. And solid state separates 1968 - 1979.
  • V. 06/27/23
  • Organized chronologically, separate blocks of JDM and International, power low to high
  • Dates based on actual production dates
  • JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
  • AAFES = Army & Air Force Exchange Service
  • "Generations" currently defined by major form factor changes, and don't necessarily indicate a circuit evolution
  • Please reply with suggestions, additions, corrections
For list and information on "The Tube Era" of Sansui visit Early Sansui Product List

--- SEPARATES ---

Pre Amplifiers

1968 TC-505 (pre amplifier w/tuner: pre-ceiver) (JDM)
1970 CA-606 (JDM)

Power Amplifiers
1968 BA-60 20 watts
1968 BA-90 28 watts
1971 BA-100 30 watts (JDM)
1970 BA-150 45 watts (JDM)

Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"

1975 CA-3000
"Professional Series"
1976 CA-2000

Power Amplifiers
"Definition Series"

1975 BA-3000 170 watts
1975 BA-5000 300 watts
"Professional Series"
1976 BA-2000 110 watts
1975 BA-1000 45 watts (VFET amplifier)

Pre Amplifier
1979 CA-F1
Power Amplifier
1979 BA-F1 110 Watts


--- INTEGRATED ---

--- FIRST GENERATION ---

1967 AU-777 25 watts
1968 AU-222 18 watts
1968 AU-555 20 watts
1969 AU-777D 30 watts (JDM version of AU-777A)
1969 AU-777A 30 watts
1970 AU-555A 25 watts
1970 AU-666 35 watts
1970 AU-888 45 watts
1970 AU-999 50 watts
1971 AU-101 15 watts
1972 AU-505 12 watts

1973 AU-2000 13 watts (JDM version AU-505)

--- SECOND GENERATION ---
1972 AU-6500 30 watts
1972 AU-7500 32 watts
1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 watts

1973 QA-7000 12 watts (QUAD)

1974 AU-22 13 watts (JDM)
1974 AU-33 20 watts (JDM)

1974 AU-2200 10 watts
1974 AU-4400 20 watts
1974 AU-5500 35 watts
1974 AU-6600 42 watts
1974 AU-7700 54 watts

1975 AU-7900 80 watts
1975 AU-3900 25 watts
1975 AU-4900 38 watts
1975 AU-5900 45 watts
1975 AU-6900 60 watts
1976 AU-2900 15 watts

1975 AU-1100 22 watts (JDM)
1975 AU-3300 35 watts (JDM)

1975 AU-1500 22 watts (JDM)
1975 AU-3500 35 watts (JDM)

"Professional Series"
1975 AU-9900 80 watts
1975 AU-11000 110 watts
1975 AU-20000 170 watts
1977 AU-9900A 80 watts
1977 AU-11000A 110 watts

1977 AU-10000 110 watts (JDM)

--- THIRD GENERATION ---
1977 AU-207 30 watts (JDM version of AU-217)
1977 AU-307 50 wats (JDM version of AU-317)
1977 AU-507 60 watts (JDM version of AU-417)
1976 AU-607 65 watts (JDM version of AU-517)
1976 AU-707 85 watts (JDM version of AU-717)

1977 AU-117 15 watts
1977 AU-217 30 watts
1977 AU-317 50 watts
1977 AU-417 65 watts
1977 AU-517 65 watts
1977 AU-717 85 watts

1977 AU-710 85 watts (AAFES version of AU-717)

1978 AU-D607 70 watts (JDM version of AU-519)
1978 AU-D707 90 watts (JDM version of AU-819)
1978 AU-D907 100 watts (JDM version of AU-919)
1978 AU-D907 Limited 100 watts (JDM)

1978 AU-919 100 watts

1979 AU-107ii 25 watts (JDM version of AU-117ii)
1979 AU-207ii 40 watts (JDM version of AU-217ii)
1979 AU-307ii 60 watts (JDM version of AU-317ii)

1979 AU-117ii 25 watts
1979 AU-217ii 40 watts
1979 AU-317ii 60 watts

1979 AU-417 65 watts
1979 AU-519 70 watts
1979 AU-719 90 watts
1979 AU-819 90 watts

--- FOURTH GENERATION ---

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential"

1978 AU-X1 160 watts (JDM) (and international)

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Super FeedForward"
1980 AU-D607F 75 watts (JDM)
1980 AU-D707F 95 watts (JDM)
1980 AU-D907F 130 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled"
1982 AU-D5 (B)(S) 65 watts
1982 AU-D7 (B)(S) 80 watts

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Super FeedForward"
1980 AU-D9 95 watts
1980 AU-D11 120 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1980 A-40 25 watts
1980 A-60 45 watts
1980 A-80 65 watts

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Super FeedForward"
"Extra" = copper plated chassis and non-magnetic elements

1981 AU-D607F Extra 80 watts (JDM)
1981 AU-D707F Extra 100 watts (JDM)
1981 AU-D907F Extra 130 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Super FeedForward"
1981 AU-X11 160 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Super FeedForward"
1981 AU-D55F 50 watt (JDM version of AU-D33)

"Direct Coupled"
1982 A-5 (B)(S) 25 watts
1982 A-7 (B)(S) 45 watts
1982 A-9 (B)(S) 65 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1982 A-500 (B)(S) 30 watts
1982 A-501 30 watts
1982 A-Classique501 30 watts
1982 A-505 30 watts
1982 A-510 (silver and black) 30 watts
1982 A-700 55 watts
1982 A-707 50 watts
1982 A-900 70 watts
1982 A-909 70 watts
1982 A-930P 70 watts
1982 A-1000 100 watts
1982 A-1001 100 watts
1982 A-1010 100 watts
1982 A-1100 100 watts
1982 A-1100P 100 watts
1982 A-1100R 100 watts
1982 A-1110 100 watts
1982 A-1130 100 watts
1982 A-1130P 100 watts
1982 A-1200 125 watts
1982 A-1200P 125 watts
1982 A-1200R 125 watts
1982 A-1230 125 watts
1982 A-1230P 125 watts
1982 A-1500R 160 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1983 AU-M7 25 watts
1983 AU-M70 25 watts
1983 AU-M77 25 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1983 A-M800 25 watts
1983 A-M9 70 watts

"Direct Coupled - Super FeedForward"
This group received notable press attention and a Wikipedia mention
1983 AU-D101 30 watts (UK/EUR 220/240V)
1983 AU-D22 35 watts
1983 AU-D33 50 watts

"Direct Coupled - Super FeedForward"
1983 AU-D55X 70 watts

"Direct Coupled - Super Ground Free?"
1983 AU-D77X 110 watts

--- FIFTH GENERATION --- BIRTH OF X-BALANCED

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Ground Free (The birth of X Balanced (in an integrated))"

1983 *AU-D11ii 130 watts -The AU-D11 II is a special version of the AU-D707X- MORE Here

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Super FeedForward - Ground Free"
"Extra" = copper plated chassis and non-magnetic elements

1983 AU-D607G Extra 90 watts (JDM)
1983 AU-D707G Extra 110 watts (JDM)
1983 AU-D907G Extra 130 watts JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Diamond Differential - Ground Free - X Balanced"
1984 AU-D607X 90 watts (JDM)
1984 AU-D707X 130 watts (JDM)
1984 AU-D907X 160 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Ground Free - X Balanced"
1984 AU-G11X 25 watts
1984 AU-G33X 45 watts
1984 AU-G55X 65 watts
1984 AU-G77X 110 watts
1984 AU-G99X 160 watts

"Direct Coupled - Ground Free - X Balanced"
1984 AU-G30X 45 watts
1984 AU-G50X 45 watts
1984 AU-G90X 130 watts

"Direct Coupled - Twin Diamond X Balanced"
1984 AU-D607X Decade 90 watts (JDM)
1984 AU-D707X Decade 130 watts (JDM)
1984 AU-D907X Decade 160 watts (JDM)

"Based on the circuit technology and know-how up to that time...developed through uncompromising selection of parts, improvement and hearing test." This amplifier would become the foundation for the final and last generation of Sansui amplifiers - The Alpha’s
1985 AU-X111MOS Vintage 110 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled"
1985 A-500 30 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1985 A-710 55 watts
1985 A-730 55 watts
1985 A-770 55 watts

"Direct Coupled"
1985 A-M90 70 watts
1985 A-M900 70 watts

1985 A-M99 70 watts

"Direct Coupled - Twin Diamond X Balanced - Compact Disc direct input"
1986 AU-D707XCD Decade 130 watts (JDM)

--- SIXTH GENERATION --- THE ALPHA GENERATION

"Direct Coupled - Alpha"
1986 AU-a307 65 watts (JDM)
1986 AU-a507 80 watts (JDM)
"Direct Coupled - Alpha X Balanced"
1986 AU-a607 90 watts (JDM)
1986 AU-a707 130 watts (JDM)
1986 AU-a907 180 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Alpha"
1987 AU-a307i 65 watts (JDM)
1987 AU-a507i 80 watts (JDM)
"Direct Coupled - Alpha - Custom Capacitors"
1987 AU-a607i 90 watts (JDM)
1987 AU-a707i 130 watts (JDM)
1987 AU-a907i 160 watts (JDM)
"Direct Coupled - Alpha X Balanced - Custom Capacitors - MOS FET - Compact Disc direct input"
1987 AU-a907i MOS Limited 80 watts (JDM)

"Direct Coupled - Alpha X Balanced - Ground Free"
1987 AU-X201 30 watts
1987 AU-X301 65 watts
1987 AU-X501 80 watts
1987 AU-X701 90 watts (int version of JDM AU-a607i)
1987 AU-X901 130 watts (int version of JDM AU-a707i)

"Direct Coupled - Alpha X Balanced - Ground Free - Diamond Differential"
1987 AU-X711 100 watts

"Based on the circuit technology and know-how up to that time...developed through uncompromising selection of parts, improvement and hearing test."
1988 AU-X1111MOS Vintage 110 watts (JDM) (and international)

"Direct Coupled - Alpha - Ground Free"
1988 AU-a307 65 watts (JDM)
1988 AU-a507 Extra ??? watts (JDM)
1988 AU-a607 Extra 90 watts (JDM)
1988 AU-a707 Extra 130 watts (JDM)
1988 AU-a907 Extra - (JDM) likely not mass produced or sold commercially

1989 AU-X111 30 watts

1989 AU-X911DG 100 watts

"L Extra" - first use of nonmagnetic transistors, all later versions had these
1989 AU-a607L Extra 90 watts (JDM)
1989 AU-a707L Extra 130 watts (JDM)
1989 AU-a907L Extra 160 watts (JDM)

1989 AU-a555VS 80 watts (JDM)
1989 AU-a777DG 90 watts (JDM)
1989 AU-a999DG 95 watts (JDM)

"DR and later" - upgraded circuitry and components
1991 AU-a607DR 90 watts (JDM)
1991 AU-a707DR 130 watts (JDM)
1990 AU-a907DR 160 watts (JDM

1991 AU-a 607 MOS Premium 45 watts (JDM)

1992 A-X750 40 watts

1992 AU-a507R 65 watts

"α -X balanced"
1992 AU-a607KX 90 watts (JDM)
1992 AU-a707KX 130 watts (JDM)
1992 AU-a907KX160 watts (JDM)

"Hyper α -X balanced"
1993 AU-a507XR Series 70 watts (JDM)
1993 AU-a607XR Series 90 watts (JDM)
1993 AU-a707XR Series 130 watts (JDM)
1993 AU-a907XR Series 160 watts (JDM)

1994 AU-a117K 30 watts (JDM)
1994 AU-a317K 55 watts (JDM)

1994 AU-a505XR 60 watts (JDM)

1994 AU-a907 Limited 80 watts (JDM)

1994 A-a7 50 watts (JDM)
1994 A-a9 50 watts (JDM)

"New Hyper α -X balanced"
1995 AU-a607MR 90 watts (JDM)
1995 AU-a707MR 130 watts (JDM)
1995 AU-a907MR 160 watts (JDM)

1995 AU-X517R 65 watts
1995 AU-X619R 65 watts

1996 AU-07 Anniversary 90 watts (JDM)

1996 A-E350 25 watts
1996 A-E550 55 watts
1996 A-E750 90 watts

1996 A-E770 50 watts
1996 A-E770 75 watts

1996? AU-a607MRX 90 watts
199x? AU-a707MRX 130 watts - unknown if ever in production. literature only confirmed.
1997? AU-a907MRX 160 watts

1997 A-a77 50 watts (JDM)
1997 A-a99 50 watts (JDM)

1997 AU-a205 30 watts (JDM)
1997 AU-a305R 55 watts (JDM)
1997 AU-a305RX 65 watts (JDM)
1997 AU-a505RX 80 watts (JDM)

"Ultimate α -X balanced"
1998 AU-a507NRA 60 watts (JDM)
1998 AU-a607NRA 80 watts (JDM)
1998 AU-a707NRA 130 watts (JDM)
1998 AU-a907NRA 160 watts (JDM)

1999 AU-405 60 watts (JDM)

1999 AU-a607 NRA ii 80 watts (JDM) (January 1999 - October 1999)

1999 AU-a607 MOS Limited 50 watts (JDM) (December 1999 - August 2000) --- THE LAST SOLID STATE SANSUI ---

SOURCES:
Amplifiers
SANSUI 製品一覧 サンスイ/山水
SANSUI
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sansui.shtml
Serial Number Report

INTERESTING THREADS:
-How to Best the Sansui X Balanced Amps
-Best breakdown on AK (probably) of the X generation right Here thanks @fojica
-X Balanced @Qsiris Here
-The 'alpha' name was applied to x-balanced models from 1986 onward and reflects an evolution of the original x-balanced circuitry. @pete_mac Here
-The AU-D11 II is a special version of the AU-D707X @JoseHH More here

ALPHA DESIGNATIONS:
L Extra - first use of nonmagnetic transistors, all later versions had these
DR and later - upgraded circuitry and components
XR and later - last circuitry upgrade (hyper speed forward)
Thanks @Qsiris Here

--------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST FROM OCTOBER 2022 -

Is there a complete chronological product list anywhere?

I've spent quite a bit of time on this sansui.us site, and looking around Google and can't find anything that looks complete .

Screen Shot 2022-10-09 at 12.04.10 PM.png
History
 
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Not really all in one place. Much of the early history (1947-1955 or so) is difficult to pin down due to majority of the products of that era being for domestic sale in Japan only. What is known has been pieced together from a handful of early catalogs that have turned up.

Later history from the time Sansui retreated back to selling only in Japan (in the 90's) is also not so well documented, though those who have taken to collecting Alpha series amps have pretty well ironed out the succession of amplifier models in posts here and on a few other forums. Other devices like tuners, CD players and the like are not as well documented given their small distribution and lesser appeal versus the amps.

Keep in mind there are a ton of Japanese market only models - consoles, early receivers, preceivers, tube amps, speakers (made in conjunction with JBL as a licencesee) - that those of us outside of Japan know nearly nothing of. It's doubtful we will ever get a solid and complete accounting of those.
 
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Thank you @GrisPato I have corrected my post.
Just to be correct. I am really thankful to pete_mac to have brought this to our attention. I still read the site regularly because the translation from Japanese makes it sometimes difficult to understand in one read. I find it especially interesting to read how they made there design and component decisions because there is almost no information besides this story of Mr. Ishino to give us insight in this process.
 
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Thanks for the links and feedback. Trying to understand the models, series and design/engineering development over time.

Starting with what I believe are the first solid state integrated amplifiers, does this list look correct?

First Generation SS Integrated Amplifiers
AU-777 1967 25 watts
AU-222 1968 18 watts

AU-555 1969 20 watts
AU-777D 1969 30 watts (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market version of AU-777A)

AU-777A 1970 30 watts
AU-666 1970 35 watts
AU-999 1970 50 watts
AU-555A 1971 25 watts

AU-888 1971 45 watts
AU-505 1972 12 watts
AU-101 1973 15 watts


Sources
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-list-of-sansui-firsts-a-little-history.926506/
https://sansuisound.com/about/22-en.html
http://www.sansui.us/PG_AU999_Series.htm
https://www.classicaudio.com/value/san/index.html
https://sansuisound.com/about/22-en.html
https://audio-database.com/SANSUI/amp/index.html
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sansui.shtml
https://ishinolab.net/modules/doc_serial/index.php
@Sansuiman
 
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That looks right so far. Worth noting the AU-777D was the JDM version of the 777A, and was brought to market slightly ahead of the 777A. I'm thinking that actually makes it the first solid state amp model to have a different model number (well, suffix) for JDM versus export sales. Typically, the AU-717 (AU-707 in Japan) is cited as the first such instance. I think the point can be argued, though it is pedantic to do so.

Note that tube models had already exhibited some of this differing naming convention, with JDM receivers getting tbe SAX prefix, while the nearest equivalent export models were typically just 3 or 4 digit numbers, and sometimes a letter suffix (A).
 
Integration and continuation of post #9. Getting a better understanding of the Sansui power evolution. At this point I am up to about 1979. There is no way I got all of the dates correct - crawling across the web the release date on each of these pieces seems to vary 1-3 years, depending on the source.

Feedback? Corrections? Should the generations be more granular based on significant design/engineering differences?

- - - - SOLID STATE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS THROUGH 1979 - - - -

--- First Generation ---
AU-777 1967 25 watts
AU-222 1968 18 watts
AU-555 1968 20 watts

AU-555A 1969 25 watts (Maybe 1970 - one serial number 829010595 02/1969)
AU-777D 1969 30 watts (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market version of AU-777A)
AU-777A 1969 30 watts
AU-666 1970 35 watts
AU-999 1970 50 watts
AU-888 1970 45 watts
AU-101 1970 15 watts (Maybe 1971 - two serial numbers 010121369 010120221 12/1970)
AU-505 1972 12 watts

--- Second Generation ---

1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1972 AU-6500 30 watts
1972 AU-7500 32 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 watts

1974 AU-4400 20 watts

1974 AU-6600 42 watts
1974 AU-7700 54 watts
1974 AU-2200 10 watts

1974 AU-7900 80 watts

1975 AU-3900 25 watts
1975 AU-4900 38 watts
1975 AU-6900 60 watts
1975 AU-5900 45 watts
1976 AU-2900 15 watts

"Professional Series"
1975 AU-9900 80 watts
1975 AU-11000 110 watts
1975 AU-20000 170 watts
1977 AU-9900A 80 watts
1977 AU-11000A 110 watts


--- Third Generation ---
1976 AU-317 50 watts (Maybe 1970 - one serial number 836042910 04/1976)
1977 AU-117 15 watts
1977 AU-517 65 watts
1977 AU-717 85 watts
1979 AU-417 65 watts

1976 AU-607 65 watts (JDM version of AU-517)
1976 AU-707 85 wats (JDM version of AU-717)
1977 AU-207 30 watts (JDM version of AU-217)

1977 AU-307 50 wats (JDM version of AU-317)

1978 AU-317ii 60 watts (Maybe 1979 - one serial number 838080677 08/1978)
1979 AU-117ii 25 watts
1979 AU-217ii 40 watts


1979 AU-107ii 25 watts (JDM version of AU-117ii)
1979 AU-207ii 40 watts (JDM version of AU-217ii)
1979 AU-307ii 60 watts (JDM version of AU-317ii)

1978 AU-919 100 watts
1978 AU-519 70 watts (Maybe 1979 - one serial number 228090437 09/1978)
1979 AU-719 90 watts
1979 AU-819 90 watts

1978 AU-D607 70 watts (JDM version of AU-519)
1978 AU-D707 90 watts (JDM version of AU-819)
1978 AU-D907 100 watts (JDM version of AU-919)
1978 AU-D907 Limited 100 watts (JDM only)

--- Fourth Generation ---
1978 AU-X1 160 watts
+

- - - - SOLID STATE SEPARATES THROUGH 1976 - - - -


First Generation Pre Amplifiers

1968 TC-505 (pre amplifier w/tuner)
1970 CA-606

First Generation Power Amplifiers

1968 BA-60 20 watts
1968 BA-90 28 watts
1971 BA-100 30 watts
1971 BA-150 45 watts

Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"

1975 CA-3000
1975 CA-2000 (Maybe 1976 - one serial number 225110079 11/1975)

Second Generation Power Amplifiers
"Definition Series"

1975 BA-3000 170 watts
1975 BA-5000 300 watts
1975 BA-1000 45 watts
1976 BA-2000 110 watts

Same sources in post #9 +
@AUD101
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/au-607-au-707-au-907.909612/
http://akdatabase.com/AKview/albums/userpics/10007/04 Sansui Years of Manufacture.pdf
@LBPete
@bolero
https://www.niji.or.jp/home/k-nisi/sansui07.htm
@JoseHH
@KeithD
http://www.thevintageknob.org/sansui-AU-919.html
 
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@JimEGR

List looks decent so far, very thorough. One thing to add, the CA-303 is a hybrid tube/SS preamp, intended for use with the BA-202 and 303 tube power amps, so it's inclusion under solid state pre's may be confusing. That's a small quibble though.

A question, as well: are you comparing the introduction dates for each model against known production dates in the serial number database? That would bear out if the year of introduction was correct (or needed adjustment) for at least the more heavily documented models.
 
@JimEGR

List looks decent so far, very thorough. One thing to add, the CA-303 is a hybrid tube/SS preamp, intended for use with the BA-202 and 303 tube power amps, so it's inclusion under solid state pre's may be confusing. That's a small quibble though.

A question, as well: are you comparing the introduction dates for each model against known production dates in the serial number database? That would bear out if the year of introduction was correct (or needed adjustment) for at least the more heavily documented models.

Important detail about the C-303. I removed it.

I have not compared to the serial number database I will work on that next - thanks for the tip.
 
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I believe the AU7700 was an important evolutionary design between the AU7500/8500/9500 and the next generation which became the professional & definition series in the mid 70s.

The literature talks about the engineering team being "excited about the new prototype" amp, among other things. From a circuit perspective, is this when they first went with full complimentary output section?

It also sort of makes sense based on their naming: the 777 was the first SS amp, so 7700 may have been used as the first of a new circuit design.

And the production dates seem to bear that out too?
 
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I believe the AU7700 was an important evolutionary design between the AU7500/8500/9500 and the next generation which became the professional & definition series in the mid 70s.

The literature talks about the engineering team being "excited about the new prototype" amp, among other things. From a circuit perspective, is this when they first went with full complimentary output section?

It also sort of makes sense based on their naming: the 777 was the first SS amp, so 7700 may have been used as the first of a new circuit design.

And the production dates seem to bear that out too?

Great question and the type of design/engineering steps I was hoping would become more visible by seeing the equipment in chronological order. Would be informative to break the generations down further, into the significant hardware step changes. Hoping you and others can help define and identify those points in the evolution.

I also still need to verify release dates with the database. Hopefully tomorrow evening.
 
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Agree! Very interesting to know

Did they really make the BA3000 & BA5000 in 1973? That seems early to me, especially considering the styling
 
Agree! Very interesting to know

Did they really make the BA3000 & BA5000 in 1973? That seems early to me, especially considering the styling

Good catch thanks. I worked on the separates after all of the integrated’s today. And by the time I got to the separates my mind was pretty numb. Cross referencing a dozen open tabs on the laptop for hours. Just corrected those dates to reflect what is in the database, and then hifi engine.
 
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