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Best vintage Sansui integrated

Would like some feedback from those who have owned them. I am thinking of buying an Sansui AU-717 or 919 but wondered if people thought any of the later models like the AU-D11 (see below from the 'best of sansui' site)

"In 1980, the third generation of the 07 Series AU-D607F, AU-D707F, and AU-D907F were introduced in Japan. The international version equivalent to AU-D907F was AU-D11. Specification-wise, AU-D9 was more likely AU-D707F. The sound of those amplifiers was notably different from the previous Sansui amplifiers. Instead of very strong high frequency in the professional to AU-919 series, this generation of the 07 Series had very soft and natural high with the powerful low."
cbcarbaj
pryso
1,927 posts
 
In the late '70s I had a situation that forced me to downsize my system. Sansui had a poor reputation among "serious" hobbyists in the US then but a couple of Brit magazines gave very positive reviews. So I ended up buying an AU-717 to drive the used Maggie MG-1s I found. That was a wonderfully musical system. It even impressed one friend who owned a very high end (read expensive) system built around Hill Plasmatronic speakers.

A few years later I took a Sansui 9090 receiver in trade, that had a fair reputation but I found it just average for a Japanese receiver.

More recently another friend told me about owning and liking an AU-717 some years before we met.

I don't have experience with other Sansui amps but I would say a 717 or 919 could be a good choice if in good condition and with old electrolytic caps replaced.
mik971
153 posts
 
I currently use a Sansui AU 919 and it is a wonderful amp. Very neutral and powerful, no problems driving difficult loads. I owned a Bryston B-60sst integrated before this (great amp), and I prefer the Sansui. Modern DOES NOT mean better... I would highly recommend the 919!!!
jolipit
1 posts
 
I am the original owner of Sansui AU 717. This is a very good sounding amplifier. Over the years I bought a lot of amplfiers and receivers (Pionner,Nad,Denon,Yamaha,Onkyo,Cambridge)but always came back to my Sansui to listen to music. Please don't forget you need to start with a good source after a good turntable or CD player they make all the difference in the world.
upscaleaudio's avatar
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upscaleaudio
258 posts
 
In 1975, my best friend had a Sansui 1000a 50 wpc tube receiver. My other friend Sansui "super receiver" 9090DB with 125wpc solid state.

We didn't know why, but all of us knew that the tubed receiver sounded better.

Years later, here we are selling tons of tubes amps at Upscale Audio.

But since I have reached the ripe old age of 54, I have gon backwarded to my you. I have a couple mint 9090DB (which sound like ass) and maybe seven 1000A which I have had restored at great expense, along with some vintage JBL Jubals.

Get a 1000A. It will need to be re-capped, but the payback is huge. I sold the AU-919 new when I worked at Cal Stereo, and they are fine, but there is no emotional hook.
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