Top 5 (Sansui) Integrated Amplifiers

[Sansuiman]

Well, all I can say with certainty is there is no other amp Sansui made that draws such criticism from a large cross section of those who have owned and listened to one. Which is the main reason I've never picked one up.

When I consider the historical significance of it, I've considered buying one on that alone, but can't pull the trigger after seeing all the unfavorable opinions of it. And again, it's the only model that gets such reactions on a wide scale - other than the BPC stuff from the 80's - so I rationalize that there has to be some validity to the downvotes.

 

[bolero]

I did all the research I could before getting mine. All the AK questions and such, it about drove me nuts trying to decide what to do- get one or not!! I really thought the last design HAD to be “the ****”, unfortunately it wasn’t, at least for me anyway.

Maybe they misunderstood Kikuchi's final command: " I want this new amp to be "THE ****!!!" "

just joking around, I have never heard one

 

[Filip I]

9500 is " THE ****!" But it is a needy bastard, requires a lot of experimenting, finding the right speakers,cables,source to bring the best of it...As someone who has one ( also have or had other fine Sansui amps) and as as someone who almost let it go ( thank god I had some patiente left in me ) I can relate to many here giving up on 9500. It is not plug and play. It can be aggresive in upper mid range, perhaps too raw, too much "bite"..but once you set it, you understand why it has " top dog " status.

With all that said I still prefer presentation of my 2000x. This little one has some serious woodoo magic in it...The only issue is when I need juice to push my AR's.

One of these days ( waiting for the 9500 to come back from the tech/ 2sa726 issue )I will try and connect 2000x pre amp and 9500 amp section to see what's gonna happen...

Don't give up on 9500 although I understand crowd whos preferences are more clinical, precise sound of later series, they won't probably like 9500 either way.

Cheers.

 

[playittwice]

I’m happy for you. Everyone hears different.
I too prefer the pre ‘74 amps. I still have and use a AU 505, Seven, AU999, and a 210. So those are what I’m basing my experience from. Agree the earlier models do have that “ magic”, especially the CC units, for me anyway.

 

[Filip I]

I’m happy for you. Everyone hears different.
I too prefer the pre ‘74 amps. I still have and use a AU 505, Seven, AU999, and a 210. So those are what I’m basing my experience from. Agree the earlier models do have that “ magic”, especially the CC units, for me anyway.

I am CC sound man, for sure ( and old sound Sansui). If only I could get 7000 here in Serbia...

To be fair I would mind if I have a chance to listen AU X1, AUD 11, 1111 MosVintage, some Alphas...

Well bottom line is I am Sansui guy, give me old sound,new sound...

 

[playittwice]

I like it all as well, but PREFER the old, as I’m old! I have transitioned to tubes as of late, the Sansui gear gets used less frequent, but it’s still here!

 

[Filip I]

I like it all as well, but PREFER the old, as I’m old! I have transitioned to tubes as of late, the Sansui gear gets used less frequent, but it’s still here!

Copy that Playittwice, just my english,sorry for the confusion...Prefer is the word

 

[playittwice]

Copy that Playittwice, just my english,sorry for the confusion...Prefer is the word

Your English is perfect!! (Probably better than mine!) I was not directing that toward you in any way! I was stressing my listening preferences.

 

[Sui-Yogi]

9500 is " THE ****!" But it is a needy bastard, requires a lot of experimenting, finding the right speakers,cables,source to bring the best of it...As someone who has one ( also have or had other fine Sansui amps) and as as someone who almost let it go ( thank god I had some patiente left in me ) I can relate to many here giving up on 9500. It is not plug and play. It can be aggresive in upper mid range, perhaps too raw, too much "bite"..but once you set it, you understand why it has " top dog " status.

With all that said I still prefer presentation of my 2000x. This little one has some serious woodoo magic in it...The only issue is when I need juice to push my AR's.

One of these days ( waiting for the 9500 to come back from the tech/ 2sa726 issue )I will try and connect 2000x pre amp and 9500 amp section to see what's gonna happen...

Don't give up on 9500 although I understand crowd whos preferences are more clinical, precise sound of later series, they won't probably like 9500 either way.

Cheers.

Couldn’t agree more ! I have the 8500.
If someone is patient enough and willing to spend ,he will be rewarded !!!
In my opinion from what I listened in my listening room with my speakers , Leestereo’s upgrades/update is bringing the amp to the next level .
Must,is the FETs replacement with noticeable sound improvement , pre-drivers and drivers , feedback resistors to metal film and the last that made all the above to fall into place was the stepped attenuator.
I never thought that I will bump into an amp that will replace my AU-717 but here it is !

 

[Filip I]

Couldn’t agree more ! I have the 8500.
If someone is patient enough and willing to spend ,he will be rewarded !!!
In my opinion from what I listened in my listening room with my speakers , Leestereo’s upgrades/update is bringing the amp to the next level .
Must,is the FETs replacement with noticeable sound improvement , pre-drivers and drivers , feedback resistors to metal film and the last that made all the above to fall into place was the stepped attenuator.
I never thought that I will bump into an amp that will replace my AU-717 but here it is !

It looks like this series is highly dependable on condition, restauration done,perhaps some slight modification and also much on the rest of the system. Much more than other Sansui amplifiers.

I don' t put myself in the" botique capacitors and cables" club although I appreciate quality components and their proper application where and when needed. During my wrestle with 9500 I experienced a few major shifts in sound when changing one of these components ( speaker cable,interconnect, CD player...).

Unfortunately I believe that many of us gave up before reaching that sweet spot and I can't blame them. This kind of hustle made me put my 9500 for sales at one point.My luck no one bite.

 

[Sui-Yogi]

speaker cable,interconnect,

If it’s not a problem , what have you used ?
Cheers

 

[Filip I]

If it’s not a problem , what have you used ?
Cheers

Unfortunately, some custom made items,no brand you could buy off the shelf...Sorry, I know this does not help much but I have a guy ( he is in custom made and speaker constructions for 30+y )he made it for me, nothing expensive or too exotic. Only thing though, copper used for the cables comes from Bor ( place/factory in Serbia). I just said I am not beliver in butique things but the fact is that copper was considered to be one among purest and most quality in the world. That factory is long gone now. This guy still has some quantities left, I wish I could somehow send them to everybody here on AK to try them, they really made significant shift for the better, massive improvement in sound. Now I am sounding as a marketing guy but we had a chance to put those cables against some Van den Hul, Cardas,Rega...

 

[Sansuiman]

So it sounds to me like the 9500 is just particularly temperamental as far as modifying certain deficiencies in the original design, and finding good synergy with speakers.

By comparison, most Sansui amplifiers just sound good with minimal experimentation and tinkering. I'm a bit impatient, and probably wouldn't be thrilled with having to put so much effort into liking the sound of an amp.

 

[KeithD]

This type of list is obviously completely subjective, but this guy does go through a lot of vintage gear so he has seen and heard more than most. Fun to watch.

What we don't know is which other Sansui integrated amps he is comparing to. I'd like to see the list of what he listened to that did not make it to the top 5.

 

[JimEGR]

What we don't know is which other Sansui integrated amps he is comparing to. I'd like to see the list of what he listened to that did not make it to the top 5.

You should check out his channel. And ask him that question in the comments for the video. He's pretty good about communicating with folks.

Their bio:
"Skylabs is a brick and mortar store located in West Des Moines, Iowa. We specialize in vintage electronics and vinyl records. We do not sell our stereo equipment on-line. Honestly, we would have no reason for a physical store if we did and we prefer doing business the "vintage" way. Also, we do not accept repairs sent in to us. All repairs must be brought into the shop in-person. Again, the truth of it is, we do not have the staff to handle anything other than what is brought in locally. Hope you understand, and hope you stop in if you are ever in the West Des Moines area! Thank you for watching and your interest in Skylabs! Kevin Moll"

Need more vintage shops (with good YouTube content)!

*I have no affiliation with Skylabs. I like the YouTube content though .

 

[Sloper1940]

l am afraid the AU70 leaves a AU717 wanting.

Not that there is anything wrong with the AU717 but that tube heat is so much better.

regards Bruce

 

[BLAH BLAH]

Sansui 101...says it all...

 

[playittwice]

Sansui 101...says it all...

Yep the “little brudder” to the AU-505, Sweet sound!

 

[JimEGR]

The Skylabs guy

If you know you know !!!

 

[Hyperion]

^^^^ If you know you know !!!

He's crazy about the AU-20000.