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Sansui Product History: Amplifiers 1967-2000

This portion of the chronological product list looks to be pretty refined at this point. I'll work on solid state receivers next, up to 1979(ish). Then look at breaking out some kind of organized design/engineering topologies and lineage including across the integrated / separates / receiver isles. Thanks to all of the contributors and sources.

Iteration 10/18/2022
Organized chronologically, separate blocks of JDM / International, power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
Please reply with suggestions or corrections


- - - - 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
1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 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 erroneous 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)
1970 BA-150 45 watts (JDM only)

Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000

"Professional Series"
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

"Professional Series"
1976 BA-2000 110 watts

1975 BA-1000 45 watts (VFET amplifier)


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
@GrisPato
@Hyperion
@JoseHH
@KeithD
@LBPete
@mjs1
@pete_mac
@rickb119
@Sansuiman
AK - Sansui Serial Number Report
AK - Sansui Years of Manufacture
AK - A list of Sansui "firsts", a little history
AK - AU-607, AU-707, AU-907?
 
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If you go through early forum threads you might be able to find website links for shut-down or zombie websites. Back in the early 2000's there were hundreds of cool informational sites popping up all of the time, unfortunately most were hosted on free services that shut down, Japan had several that closed shop and the information was lost forever. There's still a ton out there, sometimes you need to click on links on the zombie sites to find more.

Some may still be hosted on archive.org if your lucky like this awesome site, anybody remember The Silver Pioneer Reference Site?
https://web.archive.org/web/20061229175001/http://silverpioneer.netfirms.com/
I haven't found a good way to search for old websites on archive.org unless I know the URL.
 
That list has come together nicely, appreciate the effort you've put towards this. I don't know if it warrants inclusion as a footnote, but the BA-1000 was a VFET amplifier, the only model Sansui ever made with such devices.

Also, while I have no issue with it being listed together with the 2000/3000/5000, I'm not sure the BA-1000 is properly part of the Definiton Series. Obviously it has an entirely different form factor, and I don't know that I've ever seen it in a brochure or ad as being part of the professional or defintion series lineup. Really it's kind of an odd, orhpan model hanging out there all on it's own, being a VFET power amp in a repurposed QSD-1 rackmount case, and wth no specific matching preamp ever offered.

In fact, thinking on it now, the BA/CA-2000 were marketed as part of the Professional Series, with the 3000 and 5000 as the only 3 models in the Definition Series. The burgundy bonnet was to connote Definition Series models, where Professional Series models were charcoal grey. The Defnition series were supplied with individual factory test reports when new as an added spiff. Pic below from the official Defintion Series brochure:

16661156235567435096371567945602.jpg
 
Sansuiman said:
That list has come together nicely, appreciate the effort you've put towards this. I don't know if it warrants inclusion as a footnote, but the BA-1000 was a VFET amplifier, the only model Sansui ever made with such devices.

Also, while I have no issue with it being listed together with the 2000/3000/5000, I'm not sure the BA-1000 is properly part of the Definiton Series. Obviously it has an entirely different form factor, and I don't know that I've ever seen it in a brochure or ad as being part of the professional or defintion series lineup. Really it's kind of an odd, orhpan model hanging out there all on it's own, being a VFET power amp in a repurposed QSD-1 rack mount case, and wth no specific matching preamp ever offered.

In fact, thinking on it now, the BA/CA-2000 were marketed as part of the Professional Series, with the 3000 and 5000 as the only 3 models in the Definition Series. The burgundy bonnet was to connote Definition Series models, where Professional Series models were charcoal grey. The Defnition series were supplied with individual factory test reports when new as an added spiff. Pic below from the official Defintion Series brochure:

View attachment 2691043
Click to expand...

OK I think I captured all of that in the list now. Thanks for all of your contributions (and definitely welcome more).

I pulled the Definition/Professional models originally from The Best of Sansui site. Your brochure looks like good evidence for the reorg in the list.

Screen Shot 2022-10-18 at 12.50.39 PM.png

I moved the BA-1000 out on it's own with a note that it is VFET not SS - we can give that orphan a home! That then begs the question does the hybrid C-303 belong on in this list as hybrid tube/SS? I added it back in with a note. Neither of these units would fit in an exclusive SS or Tube list. And it probably makes sense to leave them in the larger lists, for context, rather than create a tiny list without much context for these category defying and or unique designs?

Your clarity on the Definition/Professional series' also reveals in the chronology that the Definition Series was released one year prior to the Professional Series - curious what the marketing or engineering intention or need was behind the 1 year follow up with the Professional Series.
 
Last edited:
Bone Yard said:
If you go through early forum threads you might be able to find website links for shut-down or zombie websites. Back in the early 2000's there were hundreds of cool informational sites popping up all of the time, unfortunately most were hosted on free services that shut down, Japan had several that closed shop and the information was lost forever. There's still a ton out there, sometimes you need to click on links on the zombie sites to find more.

Some may still be hosted on archive.org if your lucky like this awesome site, anybody remember The Silver Pioneer Reference Site?
https://web.archive.org/web/20061229175001/http://silverpioneer.netfirms.com/
I haven't found a good way to search for old websites on archive.org unless I know the URL.
Click to expand...

Excellent point - this search has definitely taken me back to the Geocities' days!

My thread inquiry here for a product chronology initially was motivated by a search for understanding the development of the first gen SS integrated amplifiers. I think I've got a good start on that now - and whole lot more. This has been educational and a lot of fun :).
 
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VFET is solid state, just was an unusual type of output transistor that differed from the more typically used devices. Sony was big on them for a short period of time, as was (I think) Hitachi. The BA-1000 seems like a case of Sansui tentatively testing the water with something new and different, then quickly backing off, as VFET's weren't a long lived trend in amplifier design. By all accounts, they sounded great, but never got enough market share to stay in production long term. Replacements are very difficult to source today, if needed for repairs.

CA-303 was a hybrid of tubes and some solid state in a high end pre-amp originally intended specficially for use with the BA-202 and 303. I think of it as a tube model, as it is of tbat era and an integral part of a tube model lineup. I doubt all that many were made, and as a JDM model they are nearly non-existent elsewhere in the world.

The big difference on Definition versus Professional lies mostly in the level of refinement, and attendant cost. The three top models debuted first (Defintiion Series) followed on by the Professional Series that filled out the need for a matching tuner, a few integrated amps, and a (slightly) lower cost pre and power with the BA/CA-2000.
 
Last edited:
Sansuiman said:
VFET is solid state, just was an unusual type of output transistor that differed from the more typically used devices. Sony was big on them for a short period of time, as was (I think) Hitachi. The BA-1000 seems like a case of Sansui tentatively testing the water with something new and different, then quickly backing off, as VFET's weren't a long lived trend in amplifier design. By all accounts, they sounded great, but never got enough market share to stay in production long term. Replacements are very difficult to source today, if needed for repairs.

CA-303 was a hybrid of tubes and some solid state in a high end pre-amp intended specficially for use the BA-202 and 303. I think of it as a tube model, as it is of tbat era and an integral part of a tube model lineup.

The big difference on Definition versus Professional lies mostly in the level of refinement, and attendant cost. The three top models debuted first (Defintiion Series) followed on by the Professional Series that filled out the need for a matching tuner, a few integrated amps, and a (slightly) lower cost pre and power with the BA/CA-2000.
Click to expand...

Ok got it. Definitely want to be accurate. Made the updates. And some VFET homework.
 
Yes, do some reading on VFET's when you have time. They are a technically interesting device, but never quite caught on. Some amps that utilized them appear to have experienced stability problems, not entirely unlike the AU-X1. A few years later MOSFETS would become all the rage, and Sansui eventually offered a number of Alpha series amps designed around them. MOSFETs are different again from VFETs, the latter being a curiosity from a time when there was a lot of exceptional technical development taking place.
 
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Just an observation, I'm noticing mention of BA-1000 and B-1000, I know the 'B' exists but not sure about the 'BA'
I also think there is a C-1000 pre-amp to partner the 'B' but am a lot less sure of this one.
 
There was a B-1000 around 1987. Part of a mass market line of seperates including a pre, tuner, tape deck and CD player. All made in Taiwain IIRC, probably under contract by one of the prolific builders of BPC in that era. Cannot be mistaken for a BA-1000, but an easy typo to make when posting.

Pics below of a BA-1000 aren't mine, but shamelessly stolen from an image search I just did.

proxy-image (34).jpeg proxy-image (35).jpeg
 
I mentioned that I would check these earlier in this thread. Finally got around to it. It looks good for the most part but there are a couple of comments.


Iteration 10/17/2022 products and release dates verified
Organized chronologically, then power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market



- - - - 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) - - - - - Earliest Production on file is November 1970

Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000
1976 CA-2000 (One erroneous record 225110079 11/1975) - - - - - This one is probably erroneous. There are no others built on line 22 or in 1975. Setting it to 1976 is much safer.

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
 
LBPete said:
I mentioned that I would check these earlier in this thread. Finally got around to it. It looks good for the most part but there are a couple of comments.


Iteration 10/17/2022 products and release dates verified
Organized chronologically, then power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market



- - - - 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) - - - - - Earliest Production on file is November 1970

Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000
1976 CA-2000 (One erroneous record 225110079 11/1975) - - - - - This one is probably erroneous. There are no others built on line 22 or in 1975. Setting it to 1976 is much safer.

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
Click to expand...

Thanks @LBPete. Made the updates.
 
Last edited:
V. 11/4/2022
Organized chronologically, separate blocks of JDM and International, power low to high
JDM = Japanese Domestic Market
AAFES = Army & Air Force Exchange Service
Please reply with suggestions, additions, corrections


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

--- 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 (One erroneous record 829010595 02/1969)
1970 AU-666 35 watts
1970 AU-888 45 watts
1970 AU-999 50 watts
1971 AU-101 15 watts (Two erroneous records 010121369 010120221 12/1970)
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

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

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

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 ---
1976 AU-607 65 watts (JDM version of AU-517)
1976 AU-707 85 watts (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-507 60 watts (JDM version of AU-417)

1977 AU-117 15 watts
1977 AU-217 30 watts
1977 AU-317 50 watts (One erroneous record 836042910 04/1976)
1977 AU-417
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 (One erroneous record 838080677 08/1978)

1979 AU-417 65 watts
1979 AU-519 70 watts (One erroneous 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)
1970 CA-606 (JDM)

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

Second Generation Pre Amplifiers
"Definition Series"
1975 CA-3000

"Professional Series"
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

"Professional Series"
1976 BA-2000 110 watts

1975 BA-1000 45 watts (VFET amplifier)


Sources:
The Best Of Sansui
Sansui Sound
Classic Audio / Sansui
Audio Database / Sansui
Audio Heritage / Sansui
Hifi Engine / Sansui
Hifido
History and Chronology of SANSUI Amplifiers
Ishino Lab
Niji - Sansui 07
The Vintage Knob
@AUD101
@bolero
@GrisPato
@Hyperion
@JoseHH
@KeithD
@LBPete
@mjs1
@Peter lye
@pete_mac
@rickb119
@Sansuiman
@sansui 74
AK - Sansui Serial Number Report
AK - Sansui Years of Manufacture
AK - A list of Sansui "firsts", a little history
AK - AU-607, AU-707, AU-907?
 
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Ok, a couple of things. First, AU-101 is listed at 15 watts, AU-505 at 12 watts in this most recent update. Somehow that seems off to me, but I don't know the power figures off the top of my head.

Second, I just had the recollection that there was an AU-10000 as part of the professional series, JDM only. I don't have any details on it, may have been a JDM straight reissue of the AU-11000, but not sure. Will do some digging and see what I can turn up and see what the specs reveal as to it's place in the lineup.

Edit to add: AU-10000 is 110WPC @ 8Ω, .03% THD and was apparently the JDM version of the AU-11000A. It visibly lacks the odd volume control of the AU-11000 (non-A version). Unknown to me if there were any other substantive changes or upgrades, or if this was simply a case of using a different model number. Found a current listing for one with SN 236120478 to help establish line and date range.
 
Last edited:
Sansuiman said:
Ok, a couple of things. First, AU-101 is listed at 15 watts, AU-505 at 12 watts in this most recent update. Somehow that seems off to me, but I don't know the power figures off the top of my head.

Second, I just had the recollection that there was an AU-10000 as part of the professional series, JDM only. I don't have any details on it, may have been a JDM straight reissue of the AU-11000, but not sure. Will do some digging and see what I can turn up and see what the specs reveal as to it's place in the lineup.

Edit to add: AU-10000 is 110WPC @ 8Ω, .03% THD and was apparently the JDM version of the AU-11000A. It visibly lacks the odd volume control of the AU-11000 (non-A version). Unknown to me if there were any other substantive changes or upgrades, or if this was simply a case of using a different model number. Found a current listing for one with SN 236120478 to help establish line and date range.
Click to expand...

The AU-101 is correct at 15 watts. The AU-505 was incorrect at 12 watts, corrected to 25 watts here and sent a message to hifi engine to update their specs. Added the 1977 AU-10000 JDM.
 
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