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Talk me out of a 8080 or 9090 please :-)

I had a sansui 8080 for a while. It was in sad shape when I got it. Did extensive work on it and got it going. Not the worst receiver to work on but not easy also. Of course had problems with the fusible resistors, all had to be replaced and as others said the post seem to need cleaning often. Sound was ok. It quite working again and I just sold it for cheap. Wasn't a big fan of the looks either.
 
BushmasterM4 said:
I bought my 9090db back in 2005 or 2006. Not exactly sure (old age memory). I paid around $400 if I remember correctly. I then bought a 5000a about a year later. I now own four 5000's, which are backups for when the 9090db goes out (knock on wood). While they lack the wattage the 9090db does, 50ish watts is plenty loud enough. And sound wise, they are right on par with the 9090db. I do not hear much difference. I like the 9090db better because of the EQ section on the 9090db. But I would be completely happy with just a 5000 series.
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well, if I can get the same sound from my $35 5000X as I would from (what would likely be $2500 or so) 9090... that seems like a pretty good reason not to get a 9090
 
also, I should mention that I live in Oregon - we have one of the best Sansui shops in the country in Eugene from what I've heard
 
redondo2018 said:
well, if I can get the same sound from my $35 5000X as I would from (what would likely be $2500 or so) 9090... that seems like a pretty good reason not to get a 9090
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And that is the most succinct summation of the reason I think going after the 9090(DB) is probably not warranted. It is a great receiver, despite what legitimate criticisms can be made of it. That having been said, what you will gain compared to the price you will pay to acquire one makes it a really hard sell now. Unless, of course, you are collecting for it's own sake. That's just my brutally honest take on the matter.

By all means, if you have the money and really want it, go for it. But don't fall into the trap of thinking you will experience a breathtaking night and day difference that justifies the price paid, in comparison to the units you already have on hand. And you did ask us to talk you out of it, after all...
 
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Sansuiman said:
And that is the most succinct summation of the reason I think going after the 9090(DB) is probably not warranted. It is a great receiver, despite what legitimate criticisms can be made of it. That having been said, what you will gain compared to the price you will pay to acquire one makes it a really hard sell now. Unless, of course, you are collecting for it's own sake. That's just my brutally honest take on the matter.

By all means, if you have the money and really want it, go for it. But don't fall into the trap of thinking you will experience a breathtaking night and day difference that justifies the price paid, in comparison to the units you already have on hand. And you did as to talk you out of it, after all...
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yep, I did ;-) beyond that it would have to push my Mac 4100 out it's spot as half of my main setup into the CV's and that would also seem to be hard sell just on the Ohms front - that Mac can drive 2 Ohm loads, I barely get it past the first lighted dot on the power meter at loud listening levels with the power-hungry-yet-super-sensitive CVs (still amazes me how CV was able to create that combo - they can work with a 10wpc receiver or a 600wpc power amp)
 
Have to say that after this thread, now maybe I'm considering looking into one of the AU integrated's - largest issue is that I don't know where I'd put an integrated into my system... AU-717 seems like a good value to cost, but lacks an MC phono, which is a downer. my understanding is the AU-919 has an MC but isn't built as well as the 717 or something? A D11 would be nice but those are pretty rare, right?
 
The 919 is built as well as the 717, and was probably the last unit built to that standard, though the AU-X1 (it's successor) was still very well built. However, the 919 has some age induced issues with certain components ("black flag" capacitors drifting way off spec being highly prone to cause catastrophic failure of the output devices, which are difficult to source) that make it an immediate imperative to do a comprehensive restoration before using the amp. Failing to do so will most assuredly cause damage that is expensive to repair.

The 919 is also the first integrated to really start pushing the trend towards the more neutral, accurate and uncolored sound that Sansui was then pursuing, and continued to refine from the AU-X1 into and all through the alpha series amps. Therefore, it will sound different from the models of say 1977 and back.
 
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redondo2018 said:
Have to say that after this thread, now maybe I'm considering looking into one of the AU integrated's - largest issue is that I don't know where I'd put an integrated into my system... AU-717 seems like a good value to cost, but lacks an MC phono, which is a downer. my understanding is the AU-919 has an MC but isn't built as well as the 717 or something? A D11 would be nice but those are pretty rare, right?
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I'd be careful with 4ohm speakers there too ... again maybe fine with those CVs
 
jayvis said:
There sure is a lot of supposed preference for a "warmer" and "tubelike" sound. I know that I went through that stage for a while as I grappled with vintage stuff about 20 years ago. I finally got over it once I admitted to myself that I'd never heard a live performance other than small acoustic performances that exemplified that "warm" sound. It was at that time that I realized, at least to me, that that warmer tubelike sound wasn't really natural and actually put a veil over the music that I listened to the most. That was when I started searching for a more balanced sound that more closely matched what I experienced at enjoyable live performances. I guess I'll call that sound more "neutral", and that's where I'm at today.
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There's nothing wrong with that if that's the era of sound you're most comfortable with. I listened primarily to tubes as a child of the 60's, which is probably why I'm partial to that sound. But I don't listen to my 7000 much anyways as my McIntosh separates have taken over...:)
 
I would not rely on a
redondo2018 said:
Have to say that after this thread, now maybe I'm considering looking into one of the AU integrated's - largest issue is that I don't know where I'd put an integrated into my system... AU-717 seems like a good value to cost, but lacks an MC phono, which is a downer. my understanding is the AU-919 has an MC but isn't built as well as the 717 or something? A D11 would be nice but those are pretty rare, right?
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I would not rely on any old 70's MC input, unless it is transformer based. Better to buy separate and not pay a lot more for restored 919 (it is unlikely any unrestored 919's are still operating) just for the MC input (if you can find one), or D11 which is not what I would call warm sounding.
 
Well my 8080db sounded really good, when I first got it.

Unfortunately the repair guys I sent it to weren't familiar with the specifics of restoring old Sansui gear, so fusible resistors & whatnot were never addressed. It's next in my queue after restoring the 999.

But by all means, keep telling everyone they're overrated & not worth it! ;)
 
I agree, if less people wanted one the price would drop!

Looking at the Sansui serial number database, a lot of people own a 9090/9090db, 8080/8080db. The selling prices also reflect healthy demand, so unless all of those owners are wrong, there's something to like about these receivers.

I have not commented much in this thread, but for me, I do find my 9090 an impressive receiver. I like the sound, the tuner is better than average, and there is enough space in there to work on things without much difficulty. I have to say, it may be my favorite stereo receiver.
 
redondo2018 said:
TBH, I kind of expected someone to suggest just sticking with the 5000x - it certainly is up there with the best $35 I've spend on any gear. It is a daily driver in my office, it just has that weird cracking sometimes, but it usually goes away after a few minutes, probably any easy fix if I knew where it was coming from...
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I had one that did that, iirc, all the signal on that unit passes through the tuner board. There's a transistor near one of the pots that gets hot and cold aolders, reflowing that fixed one. It can also be replsced with an 1845 if you have the means of adjusting rsdio. I do not.
 
It's still kind of hard to choose between the two since one is a receiver and the other an integrated amp. I suppose if one still listens to AM/FM broadcasts, the Eight would be the choice.
 
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