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Sansui Receivers - Which one should I get?

R

Randazzo95

New Member
Sansui 611
Sansui 711
Sansui 2000A
Sansui 350A

I've been thinking about buying one of these vintage receivers, but I really don't know what would be best in terms of sound. I don't need something with too much power, but something quality for a living room. What would be the best choice out of these?
 
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I bet you'll find fans of all of them, and it may depend mostly on the condition and price you can find them. IMO, all would need a good bench session, probably cap replacement and various other things to sound their best.
 
I agree with Randazzo.
I have read good things about them all.
You should not worry too much about power output.

I have a 771, which I really like. It's a terrific receiver with a nice tuner.
Very nicely balanced sound to it.
As Conrad mentions, I had to refurbish it to bring it into good working condition.
It cost about $60 in parts and a weekend of work, a non-trivial commitment.

All things being equal, I would go with the 2000A simply because I like the early 70s receivers.
They tend to be very conservatively designed on the outside, very classy.
 
Also: do any of them have the optional wood case? That's also a consideration.

Understand that some of them may have "noisy" transistors - my 2000A definitely did but after replacing them it's earned keeper status.
 
Had a 661 here. Sold it to upgrade and have had sellers remorse since. It's replacement sounds better, but could have lived very easily with the 661. Great low powered receiver. Don't know a lot about the others but the xx1 series are nice sounding.
 
Only thing that I can add to what others have already said, is to find something 40 W and above in good shape. The earlier pre-1976 units have a warmer sound with clarity, and the post 1976 models can you have slightly less warmth but a beautiful (and slightly more forward) clarity the springs out of a more subdued warmth. Condition, condition, condition......and have it serviced. My experience has been with both classic generations and both have their merits but personally (push come to shove) my personal favorites are G 6000 and above. Hope this helps.
 
^ not a bad recommendation. My understanding is the 8 is an evolution of the somewhat problematic 5000 and is in some people's eyes the pinnacle of Sansui.

Others will recommend the 9090 or 9090DB, which is also a solid choice; however my understanding is that those come with their own problems (double sided boards need to be pinned for reliable operation)

Same comment as above is true for the top end quad receivers (QRX-8001/9001)

Only ones I have personal hands on experience with are the 2000A and QRX-7001 (which I chose over holding out for a 8001/9001 for reasons stated above)
 
Although I am a "died in the wool" McIntosh fiend (17 units at present), after building amps and tuners from kits in the 60s, my first "factory built" piece was a Sansui 1000X. I bought it from my father used over 40 years ago. It may have been Sansui's first solid state model. It was at least an early solid state model.
I still have it. It powers my system in the garage (for when I am working on my cars, or otherwise "piddling" as my wife calls it). I do not remember it having a lot of power - perhaps 75 watts between both channels (seems like I remember 37.5 WPC - an unusual rating to say the least).
I used it for several years in my office. I replaced it with Luxman and then Carver units in the office - but they did not sound as good as the old Sansui 1000X.The old Sansui had much better bottom end "punch."
The only problem I had with the Sansui was blowing a fuse when I shorted out speaker leads.
I had later (much more expensive) Sansui units that did not sound as good, and did not last as long.
It is still running, and used regularly when I am in the garage.
If you can tolerate (1) no remote, (2) no digital inputs, (3) less than 50 WPC, and (4) only one "Aux" input - although it has tape monitor facilities - it has been a good unit for me for MANY years.
Thanks,
Jim
 
My choice would be the G-6000, G-7000 and the G-8000. These units are not in the price range of the G-9000 and are never likely to be, yet their performance is tremendous. I have two of the three and can guarantee that they can give you a sound that pleases your ears.
 
Randazzo95 said:
Sansui 611
Sansui 711
Sansui 2000A
Sansui 350A

I've been thinking about buying one of these vintage receivers, but I really don't know what would be best in terms of sound. I don't need something with too much power, but something quality for a living room. What would be the best choice out of these?
Click to expand...

I'm going to assume you mean 661 and 771 so...

Get the one that is in the best condition, these are ALL over 40 years old so you'll end up doing some internal work eventually. I have an 881 and it sounds great, has plenty of WPC for my needs and cosmetically looks almost new. The one in the best overall condition would be my first choice.
 
Wonder if the OP remembered he posted this? Joined, posted and not back since this one went live. Glad to see it has been moved to the Sansui forum.
 
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Well as a fellow "not many posts" but "listening intently" sort of guy... I can say this thread has been a big help to me...

There's a 5000X for sale down my way at the moment (New Zealand) that I'm guessing is going to get hot-and-heavy come auction-close... going to see if I can snag it for my Vintage Sansui fix.
 
droid said:
Well as a fellow "not many posts" but "listening intently" sort of guy... I can say this thread has been a big help to me...

There's a 5000X for sale down my way at the moment (New Zealand) that I'm guessing is going to get hot-and-heavy come auction-close... going to see if I can snag it for my Vintage Sansui fix.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum!!
Is that listing a guy in Mairangi Bay? If so, I did a quick check over of it about a month ago. You need to know that it will need a complete recap, tuner alignment.
Its in completely stock form but is working as it should, for the time being.
I think its a really nice example, and you should go for it, but don't pay silly money for it.
Then budget a refurb on it, which I can do for you, plan on it within the next 6 months.
PM me for more details....

Is that your LP Custom?
 
kevzep said:
Welcome to the forum!!
Is that listing a guy in Mairangi Bay? If so, I did a quick check over of it about a month ago. You need to know that it will need a complete recap, tuner alignment.
Its in completely stock form but is working as it should, for the time being.
I think its a really nice example, and you should go for it, but don't pay silly money for it.
Then budget a refurb on it, which I can do for you, plan on it within the next 6 months.
PM me for more details....

Is that your LP Custom?
Click to expand...

Hey there! You must be the Kevin that was mentioned on the QRX-9001 restore website... can't imagine there's too many other Kevins who know Sansuis here in Auckland! Thankyou so much for the information on the 5000X - that helps a great deal! I'll definitely drop you a PM now.

As for the Les Paul... well, as a New Zealander and therefore a user of Trademe, you'd probably know about a certain guitar that's on there for sale at the moment for anyone that has a spare "house deposit"... the avatar is a subtle homage to that. It's probably the last of the "dream guitars" that I would try to own - I was always a massive fan of Robert Fripp and that "endless sustain" guitar tone he could get. Sad to say I don't own a triple bucker Les Paul Custom... yet. But I am the humble proprietor of a mid-60's Jazzmaster, an early 60's Fender XII, a mid-70's Guild F-50R, a couple 80's Rickenbackers, and a bunch of other assorted beauties... (You're an engineer, yes? My crown jewel is one of the old Radio New Zealand 60's U87's...)

I'll drop you a PM now Kevin - what luck, I knew there'd be someone from NZ on this forum somewhere. :)
 
droid said:
Hey there! You must be the Kevin that was mentioned on the QRX-9001 restore website... can't imagine there's too many other Kevins who know Sansuis here in Auckland! Thankyou so much for the information on the 5000X - that helps a great deal! I'll definitely drop you a PM now.

As for the Les Paul... well, as a New Zealander and therefore a user of Trademe, you'd probably know about a certain guitar that's on there for sale at the moment for anyone that has a spare "house deposit"... the avatar is a subtle homage to that. It's probably the last of the "dream guitars" that I would try to own - I was always a massive fan of Robert Fripp and that "endless sustain" guitar tone he could get. Sad to say I don't own a triple bucker Les Paul Custom... yet. But I am the humble proprietor of a mid-60's Jazzmaster, an early 60's Fender XII, a mid-70's Guild F-50R, a couple 80's Rickenbackers, and a bunch of other assorted beauties... (You're an engineer, yes? My crown jewel is one of the old Radio New Zealand 60's U87's...)

I'll drop you a PM now Kevin - what luck, I knew there'd be someone from NZ on this forum somewhere. :)
Click to expand...
Nice one mate, yeah I have met a few people from NZ here on this forum, even picked a few jobs up too....Looks like you have a nice guitar arsenal there....the Gibson will come, I didn't get the Les Paul I lusted after until I was 43!!
 
droid said:
Well as a fellow "not many posts" but "listening intently" sort of guy... I can say this thread has been a big help to me...

There's a 5000X for sale down my way at the moment (New Zealand) that I'm guessing is going to get hot-and-heavy come auction-close... going to see if I can snag it for my Vintage Sansui fix.
Click to expand...
Kev will look after you for sure! My G-7700 I purchased from Kev, He is a great guy to deal with.
 
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