It’s been fun! And glad I can contribute something here.
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Sansui Product History: Amplifiers 1967-2000
- Thread starter JimEGR
- Start date
Are all the "First Generation" amps in your list cap-coupled? I think some of them are direct coupled (such as the 999, 888, 666), which would further subdivide your list.
Great project, following this with interest. I wonder if anyone has done the same with receivers?
Great project, following this with interest. I wonder if anyone has done the same with receivers?
Got it and amended. Thanks!
Thanks and I think this list will be educational and informative. I've already learned a lot in the process of compiling it, and as we further break it down with the design/engineering groups like you mentioned with CC and DC (and the AU-7700 step) etc the list will become even more useful and informative. Marketing and branding labeling would be useful too - often indicating the ethos of a group "Professional Series" "Definition Series" etc. Also we could consider NLA parts in a series etc. Ultimately help to educate on the details of the equipment that would be useful and interesting to a collector and restorer. Obviously some restraint in the granularity but enough detail without getting lost in the weeds and the list losing it's ability to communicate clearly.
I was planning to work on receivers next. I already have a rough draft through 1979 put together just need to refine it before posting.
I will continue to post in the thread the updated and all inclusive list as it expands. Fun open source AK project. Hoping folks continue to weigh in with contributions. This is definitely a project built upon the combined experience of this group.
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JoseHH
Super Member
This site is also quite nice. Please check it out. It features some information about the latter models.
But it is also worth reading the main page where there is a more comprehensive list of brands and models of various audio equipment modules.
But it is also worth reading the main page where there is a more comprehensive list of brands and models of various audio equipment modules.
Excellent resource! Charts the lineage from the AU-707 with great detail. It looks like the AU-707 was released in 1976(I updated the date in post) but the AU-819 international equivalent not until 1978...?
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JoseHH
Super Member
There may be some dissagreement among sources. Perhaps the most reliable way to know when each model was released is to look at the serial number database compiled and maintanied by @LBPete. Looking at the listed models in the file one can empirically determine when models were produced because this information is encoded in the serial number.
EDIT:
This document
I am not sure if is up-to date. There may be other files. Kudos to LBPete who is doing a formidable work.
EDIT:
This document
I am not sure if is up-to date. There may be other files. Kudos to LBPete who is doing a formidable work.
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Yes @Sansuiman suggested that earlier in the thread, also. I am working on cross referencing everything with the AK database (thanks so much @LBPete that serial number document is massive, wow) which does appear to offer empirical evidence the only issue is if the sample size for a given model does not reach the proposed release year from the other online resources and some models are not in the AK DB. I'm using the Sansui-Years of Manufacture which appears to reflect different production ranges than the reported equipment in Sansui Serial Number Report. AU-999 is a good example: SYOM 1967-1972, SSNR 1970-1972. SSNR I am assuming is the empirical source - not sure how SYOM was was built. If something looks off comparing the AK DB with the other sources I am defaulting to the earliest documented release date that looks logical. Should end up with pretty accurate numbers! The list here is dynamic so it will certainly (and hopefully) be updated through refinement from feedback.
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GrisPato
Super Member
AU-707 = AU-717
AU-D707= AU-819
On the Ishinolab website you can find some more useful information. For example, apparently there was a big Hi-fi show in Oktober/ November where they would try to launch new model lines for all the attention it would get in the press and to start selling to the shops that would visit.
That's why the AU-D907 was launched in 1978 and the AU-D607 and D707 in 1979. They wanted the TOTL model ready for the show even when they did not have the whole lineup finished.
I think it was also the reason why the AU-X1 was released prematurely. There is a nice story where they get a lot of calls after a few weeks it has been for sale with blowing up outputs. Apparently they went to far in minimizing the compensation capacitance on the transistors and did not take the time to test it properly. Mr. Ishino himself with other engineers had to go to the buyers homes to repair them. Great story, took them a couple of weeks to fix all of them.
By the way, I noticed you have the release year for the AU-2900 on 1977, accidentally I just posted the serial number of mine which is from December 1976.
Comparing your list to the Serial Number Database, some dates are a little off. This is based on serial numbers we have on file.
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 -----Earliest production on file is September 1969
AU-666 1970 35 watts
AU-999 1970 50 watts
AU-555A 1971 25 watts -----Earliest production on file is June of 1970
AU-888 1971 45 watts -----Earliest production on file is October 1970
AU-505 1972 12 watts
AU-101 1973 15 watts -----Earliest production on file is March of 1971, there are also two on file that show December 1970 but they might not be accurate.
Hope this helps.
- Pete
Thanks a lot Pete! I think I was in the database while you were posting. Just finished updating. I believe I captured your suggestions, as well as fully updated and cross referenced the rest, including the other feedback in the thread. The dates are pretty dialed in now, I believe.
Please reply with suggestions or corrections
Iteration 10/17/2022 products and release dates verified
Organized chronologically, then power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
- - - - SOLID STATE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS THROUGH 1979 - - - -
--- First Generation ---
AU-777 1967 25 watts
AU-222 1968 18 watts
AU-555 1968 20 watts
AU-777D 1969 30 watts (JDM version of AU-777A)
AU-777A 1969 30 watts
AU-555A 1970 25 watts (One erroneous record 829010595 02/1969)
AU-666 1970 35 watts
AU-888 1970 45 watts
AU-999 1970 50 watts
AU-101 1971 15 watts (Two erroneous records 010121369 010120221 12/1970)
AU-505 1972 12 watts
--- Second Generation ---
1972 AU-6500 30 watts
1972 AU-7500 32 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 watts
1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1974 AU-2200 10 watts
1974 AU-4400 20 watts
1974 AU-6600 42 watts
1974 AU-7700 54 watts
1974 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
"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-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)
1977 AU-117 15 watts
1977 AU-217 30 watts
1977 AU-317 50 watts (One erroneous record 836042910 04/1976)
1977 AU-517 65 watts
1977 AU-717 85 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)
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 (One erroneous record 838080677 08/1978)
1979 AU-417 65 watts
1979 AU-519 70 watts (One erroneuos record 228090437 09/1978)
1979 AU-719 90 watts
1979 AU-819 90 watts
--- Fourth Generation ---
1978 AU-X1 160 watts
+
- - - - SOLID STATE SEPARATES THROUGH 1976 - - - -
First Generation Pre Amplifiers
1968 TC-505 (pre amplifier w/tuner: preceiver) (JDM only)
1970 CA-606 (JDM only)
First Generation Power Amplifiers
1968 BA-60 20 watts
1968 BA-90 28 watts
1971 BA-100 30 watts (JDM only)
1971 BA-150 45 watts (JDM only)
Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000
1976 CA-2000 (One erroneous record 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
Sources:
The Best Of Sansui
Sansui Sound
Classic Audio / Sansui
Audio Database / Sansui
Hifi Engine / Sansui
Ishino Lab
Niji - Sansui 07
The Vintage Knob
@AUD101
@bolero
@JoseHH
@KeithD
@LBPete
@Sansuiman
AK - Sansui Serial Number Report
AK - Sansui Years of Manufacure
AK - A list of Sansui "firsts", a little history
AK - AU-607, AU-707, AU-907?
Iteration 10/17/2022 products and release dates verified
Organized chronologically, then power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
- - - - SOLID STATE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS THROUGH 1979 - - - -
--- First Generation ---
AU-777 1967 25 watts
AU-222 1968 18 watts
AU-555 1968 20 watts
AU-777D 1969 30 watts (JDM version of AU-777A)
AU-777A 1969 30 watts
AU-555A 1970 25 watts (One erroneous record 829010595 02/1969)
AU-666 1970 35 watts
AU-888 1970 45 watts
AU-999 1970 50 watts
AU-101 1971 15 watts (Two erroneous records 010121369 010120221 12/1970)
AU-505 1972 12 watts
--- Second Generation ---
1972 AU-6500 30 watts
1972 AU-7500 32 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 watts
1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1974 AU-2200 10 watts
1974 AU-4400 20 watts
1974 AU-6600 42 watts
1974 AU-7700 54 watts
1974 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
"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-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)
1977 AU-117 15 watts
1977 AU-217 30 watts
1977 AU-317 50 watts (One erroneous record 836042910 04/1976)
1977 AU-517 65 watts
1977 AU-717 85 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)
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 (One erroneous record 838080677 08/1978)
1979 AU-417 65 watts
1979 AU-519 70 watts (One erroneuos record 228090437 09/1978)
1979 AU-719 90 watts
1979 AU-819 90 watts
--- Fourth Generation ---
1978 AU-X1 160 watts
+
- - - - SOLID STATE SEPARATES THROUGH 1976 - - - -
First Generation Pre Amplifiers
1968 TC-505 (pre amplifier w/tuner: preceiver) (JDM only)
1970 CA-606 (JDM only)
First Generation Power Amplifiers
1968 BA-60 20 watts
1968 BA-90 28 watts
1971 BA-100 30 watts (JDM only)
1971 BA-150 45 watts (JDM only)
Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000
1976 CA-2000 (One erroneous record 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
Sources:
The Best Of Sansui
Sansui Sound
Classic Audio / Sansui
Audio Database / Sansui
Hifi Engine / Sansui
Ishino Lab
Niji - Sansui 07
The Vintage Knob
@AUD101
@bolero
@JoseHH
@KeithD
@LBPete
@Sansuiman
AK - Sansui Serial Number Report
AK - Sansui Years of Manufacure
AK - A list of Sansui "firsts", a little history
AK - AU-607, AU-707, AU-907?
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I double check more of these and most are accurate when compared to serial numbers on file. In some cases the serial numbers on file are not accurate and as a result provide erroneous production dates. I've noted some of those.
--- 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 (one serial number 836042910 04/1976)
This serial number was added to the database in 2004, one of the earliest entries. There are a number of questionable serial numbers on file for this model. I would be reluctant to peg the start of production to a single serial number recorded for that year. When production starts for a model, they usually crank out a lot of them and we would see them throughout the year after the start of production. I think it's safer to say that production started in October of 1977.
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 (one serial number 838080677 08/1978)
Again, watch out for outliers. 8s and 9s can be hard to tell apart if the ink is smeared or damaged. This one falls nicely with the others produced in August of '79.
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 (one serial number 228090437 09/1978)
Again, 8s and 9s are easily confused. This one was likely produced with 4 others in September 1979
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
- Pete
Thanks Pete. I'll make the the gross change after you follow up. Thanks for looking into them - lots of numbers you have there. An incredible resource.
@JimEGR, since you have already taken to noting JDM specific models, you may wish to notate that the BA-100, 150 and CA-606 are all JDM models with no international equivalent, as they are all 100V only. Oddly, the TC-505 preceiver is also a JDM model judging by it's short FM band (76-90 Mhz) but at least some appear to have been equipped with selectable voltage. It is a contemporary of the AU-555.
The TAC-505 receiver (not presently on the list) was also a JDM model, and a contemporary of the 555A and 666, so the production dates should align fairly closely, I'd think.
The TAC-505 receiver (not presently on the list) was also a JDM model, and a contemporary of the 555A and 666, so the production dates should align fairly closely, I'd think.
Just updated with the JDM info - thanks. I'll hold the TAC-505 for the receiver list. Looks like it - TAC-505 1968 followed by the AU-555a and AU-666 1970 - excellent info for understanding the lineage. 1970 was a big year for Sansui! Interestingly the AU-505 came two years after the AU-555a/666/888/999 and four years after the TAC-505. The chronological list helps to see the development arc. Could imagine aligning the receiver and integrated/pre & power lists into a lineage tree at some point too - looks like the combination would add value to understanding development. Might need to go from list to graphic eventually.
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I captured/confirmed your feedback in the list - thanks. It is great to hear about the backstory on these pieces. And quite the tale and passion for the product to provide that level of service and response to their customers! Reputation is everything sounds like Sansui worked hard to earn and preserve theirs. I look forward to reading the Ishinolab website.
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