Sansui QRX-9001/QRX-8001 differences
- Thread starter jackson
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These are the main ones as far as I can tell.
Basically, more wpc for the 9001, internal Dolby board (which is now useless) for the 9001 vs. connections for an external unit on the 8001, slightly better tuner in the 9001. Should also note the 9001 is much easier to find than the 8001. Seems to me the 8001 had limited production, and I have yet to see a Sansui catalog showing one, though I have not done an extensive search. I went with the 8001 because of the lower sell prices and the extra input/output on the "Dolby" switch, which basically acts like another 2 channel Tape connection.
| QRX-9001/8001 comparison | ||
| 9001 | 8001 | |
| wpc | 60 | 40 |
| FM IHF sensitivity | 1.8 µV | 1.9 µV |
| Dimensions | same | same |
| Weight (kg) | 23 | 23.6 |
| Transformer | torroidal | "regular" |
| Dolby | internal board | L/R In/Out connections |
Basically, more wpc for the 9001, internal Dolby board (which is now useless) for the 9001 vs. connections for an external unit on the 8001, slightly better tuner in the 9001. Should also note the 9001 is much easier to find than the 8001. Seems to me the 8001 had limited production, and I have yet to see a Sansui catalog showing one, though I have not done an extensive search. I went with the 8001 because of the lower sell prices and the extra input/output on the "Dolby" switch, which basically acts like another 2 channel Tape connection.
@KeithD pretty well covered it. The 8001 is quite a rarity. I see one around for sale once in a while, but 9001's appear to outnumber them by quite a significant margin, perhaps 10 to 1. I'd suppose that when new, if someone had the money to buy an 8001, they probably just made the small extra stretch to just go all the way to the top, and buy a 9001. After all, the pursuit of more power was usually a good motivator.
At retail, I doubt the difference in price was all that substantial. Especially since quad was already well on its way out by the time both models hit the market, and I'd guess there were probably some pretty steep discounts offered, to try and clear out the inventory. Keep in mind that the 9001 was still shown for sale in a Sansui catalog for the German market in 1982 (!!).
I surmise that Sansui dumped the remaining inventory of 9001's there for some reason, as it was not shown in any US catalogs I've seen from after about 1977-78. It had to look pretty ridiculous seeing that beast in 1981-82 next to then current models like the 9900Z. Somewhat reminiscent of how remaining Elcassette inventory was all dumped in Finland, after it tanked as a viable format.
One other detail of note: there appears never to have been a QRX-888 in black panel variant, while the 7001 and 9001 did receive alternate versions in the QRX-777 and 999, respectively. To date, I'm not aware of any evidence an 888 was even planned for.
At retail, I doubt the difference in price was all that substantial. Especially since quad was already well on its way out by the time both models hit the market, and I'd guess there were probably some pretty steep discounts offered, to try and clear out the inventory. Keep in mind that the 9001 was still shown for sale in a Sansui catalog for the German market in 1982 (!!).
I surmise that Sansui dumped the remaining inventory of 9001's there for some reason, as it was not shown in any US catalogs I've seen from after about 1977-78. It had to look pretty ridiculous seeing that beast in 1981-82 next to then current models like the 9900Z. Somewhat reminiscent of how remaining Elcassette inventory was all dumped in Finland, after it tanked as a viable format.
One other detail of note: there appears never to have been a QRX-888 in black panel variant, while the 7001 and 9001 did receive alternate versions in the QRX-777 and 999, respectively. To date, I'm not aware of any evidence an 888 was even planned for.
Yeah, @Sansuiman I can't quite figure out what Sansui's marketing strategy was for the 8001. Have you seen ANY marketing materials for the 8001? I think I've seen images of a brochure, but nothing else. Did it appear in a catalog anywhere?
I can't say I've seen much of anything for the 8001, save for it being listed alongside the 9001 in a couple of catalogs. I figure they followed the same formula of offering a range of models that had worked so well in the past. The 8001 being the analog of an 8080, where the 9001 would have been the analog of the 9090. Really I think they could've skipped the 8001, offering just the 7001 and 9001, given the realities of the market at the time. The earlier quad gear (QS and QR models) received heavy promotion. The first lineup of QRX models as well. But owing to the time needed for development, by the time the 8001 and 9001 were available, the market for quad hardware was already in decline.
I am mostly speculating here, but I think Sansui realized that the market for quad was tanking right as their very best and most capable hardware came to market. This may very well have impacted the level of marketing that was done for the 8001 and 9001, as it would have been throwing good money after bad, so to speak.
The entire quad program was a gamble that failed to pay off, and I believe was a major reason for Sansui 's declining fortunes by the 80's. Enormous sums were spent on R&D, and marketing of the QS system and it's hardware, and while Sansui clearly sold a lot of it, it was a flash in the pan, public interest in it being mostly over and done by 1977. Hence the residual stock of 9001's still showing up in German print catalogs of 1982. I've no idea the price they were being offered at by then, but would be unsurprised to learn that they were sold at a steep loss.
I am mostly speculating here, but I think Sansui realized that the market for quad was tanking right as their very best and most capable hardware came to market. This may very well have impacted the level of marketing that was done for the 8001 and 9001, as it would have been throwing good money after bad, so to speak.
The entire quad program was a gamble that failed to pay off, and I believe was a major reason for Sansui 's declining fortunes by the 80's. Enormous sums were spent on R&D, and marketing of the QS system and it's hardware, and while Sansui clearly sold a lot of it, it was a flash in the pan, public interest in it being mostly over and done by 1977. Hence the residual stock of 9001's still showing up in German print catalogs of 1982. I've no idea the price they were being offered at by then, but would be unsurprised to learn that they were sold at a steep loss.
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I'd be interested to know which catalogs had the 8001 in them. Can you share any catalog images with the 8001?
I don't have them, though recall seeing an image of at least one online, quite a while back. I don't remember for certain that it even had a picture of an 8001, but recall it having a table comparing the key features of the 9001 versus 8001. Might have even been posted here on AK. I looked through my saved image archives, and didn't find it.
Interesting, those look like individual sheets/flyers that a dealer might display in a rack. Is that your take on those?
Typically, not every available model would be listed, even in a general catalog. These were done to highlight the major points,. You'll notice no integrated amps or tuners listed either, those were probably in a separate brochure. And most models had their own individual brochure, or at least a cut sheet (single page front and back).
