2. amps-preamps
  3. 1335463723

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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,590 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.
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
My second system has a Sansui AU D-11 (re-capped and upgraded) feeding EPI 100s (refoamed). Very nice pairing.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,590 posts
 
"My second system has a Sansui AU D-11 (re-capped and upgraded) feeding EPI 100s (refoamed). Very nice pairing."

Very classic pairing!
pryso
1,957 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!!!
More to discover