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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
bizango1
276 posts
 
My roommate had the AU-717 when it was a current model and I still think it was an incredible sounding amp. It was 85WPC. Not quite enough for the low impedance load of Double Advents in parallel though as sometimes it would shut down during extended high volume sessions with Michael Jackson or Greg Kihn playing. It always turned back on after a little rest and cool down and still sounded great.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
For all ordinary uses the AU-717 is a great amp. Is it the absolutre best ever..., no I have better amps from other manufacturers.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,336 posts
 
Curious why the Sansuis specifically?

THe thing is that back in the day of these amps, there were few capable of really driving the best more modern design speakers to their max due to limited current delivery and other factors. Amp technology has advanced considerably since making many more modern amps better choices to really get the most out of most modern day speakers.

Personally, I think the Sansui might be a good choice at the right price, but only with the right speakers.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
That series Sansui would put out much greater power at low impedences; the 919 was well above 300 watts at 2 ohms if I remember. It was quite heavy; usually a sign of a good power supply.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,336 posts
 
No doubt that Sansui was one of the better integrateds of its day and in good condition should sound pretty good even by modern standards.

The unique things it might have going for it compared to more modern options are the range of usability features found in it specifically and more typical of integrateds back then, if these are of value to the buyer, and of course potential value buying an older piece in good condition.

If the features are not needed, and depending on the price, you might be able to do better with a more modern amp soundwise. It all depends.

No doubt they do not make'em like that anymore. That alone might be enough to close the deal.

BTW I have never owned any Sansui gear but did sell Sansui along with many other brands of gear working as a sales guy at Tech Hifi back in those days. I'd list these two pieces as among the ones that I would have been quite satisfied owning back then.
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