The Sansui Awesome Foursome Review 2020

[Sansui77 1,587]

The Sansui Awesome Foursome Review 2020.

 

List on contenders;

Sansui AU-111 (1966) vs AU-1111 MOS Vintage (1989) vs Alpha 907 Limited (1994) vs Alpha 907 NRA (1998). Might add another contender or two in the mix. I'd love a restored AU-X1 into the mix that way we have pretty much one from each decade.

 

Thinking of a small gtg of passionate Sansui nutters only 🥴

It could be some time before this actually happens but stay tuned. Looking in August or September depending on the Cov19 situation.

 

What are your thoughts or opinions on what will sound the best to you.

What design do you prefer internally or externally with built quality

Black, silver or gold.

Functionality - features they offer

Svetlana 6L6GC Power Tubes vs Mosfets vs NM-LAPT transistors. 

Mr Kosaku Kikuchi vs Mr Ichirou Ohshima designs

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2020 by Sansui77

[misternavi 1,233]

@Sansui77 what speakers do you use now?
I think the 111 would sound the most different -the others would be harder to tell apart.  111 is the better looking one from the group but I'm a sucker for anything before the 80's.

[Sansui77 1,587]

On 23/06/2020 at 10:08 AM, misternavi said:

@Sansui77 what speakers do you use now?
I think the 111 would sound the most different -the others would be harder to tell apart.  111 is the better looking one from the group but I'm a sucker for anything before the 80's.

I'm using very good DIY floorstanders incorporating Seas (8"), Alpair mids and SB Acoustics with inverted dome titanium tweeters / super tweeters. They need better floor stands, maybe outriggers and I might upgrade the crossover caps while I'm at it. They also need a bit of refreshing in the look department ie, repaint and front grills made. Thinking of redoing the cabinets in full piano Black? They sound unbelievable as they are.

 

 

Edited September 12, 2020 by Sansui77

[misternavi 1,233]

47 minutes ago, Sansui77 said:

maybe outriggers

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4pcs-39mm-Aluminium-Speaker-Spike-Pad-Shock-Absorbing-Isolation-Stand-Feet-Nail/332982795884

 

 

I was wondering who bought these speakers. Good Score.
don't go full boring black.

 

 

[Sansui77 1,587]

6 minutes ago, misternavi said:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4pcs-39mm-Aluminium-Speaker-Spike-Pad-Shock-Absorbing-Isolation-Stand-Feet-Nail/332982795884

 

 

I was wondering who bought these speakers. Good Score.
don't go full boring black.

 

 

Might just redo the front & top black. Whatever I do they will come up a treat 😉

 

How's that 907 going btw?

[misternavi 1,233]

1 hour ago, Sansui77 said:

Might just redo the front & top black. Whatever I do they will come up a treat 😉

 

How's that 907 going btw?

Try a spray matte black.

907 is going well. I listen to everything with loudness setting. it sounds so much better. 

I've tried it as a power amp but the gain is too low for my tube buffer.

 

[Sansui77 1,587]

Well it looks like the 1111Mos Vintage could be a real contender here! The older conventional mains transformer seems to give a more bottom end - mid bass boost compared to the newer Alphas but still having that really nice mid - top end detail. I also noticed it on the first generation 907 I had. 

 

Even James thinks so 😃

 

With the pandemic going on, it was just me and James with the lights out. How good does the 1111Mos Vintage look in the dark?

Edited September 11, 2020 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

Comparing it to my last review - post having the first generation 907, the 1111Mos Vintage is definitely a different beast. It's really weird, it's like it sounds between a B/C2101 to 907NRA. It's does have an amazing 3D presentation with great seperation. I'm thinking there will be no real winner here because they (All) just sound so bl##dy sweet. 

[pete_mac 4,086]

1 hour ago, Sansui77 said:

The older conventional mains transformer seems to give a more bottom end - mid bass boost compared to the newer Alphas but still having that really nice mid - top end detail. I also noticed it on the first generation 907 I had. 

 

I reckon that's more to do with the design/tuning of the preamp stage, and subtle changes to the frequency response - not dissimilar to the tuning/refinement of the alphas across the years. 

Edited July 2, 2020 by pete_mac

[Sansui77 1,587]

23 minutes ago, pete_mac said:

 

I reckon that's more to do with the design/tuning of the preamp stage, and subtle changes to the frequency response - not dissimilar to the tuning/refinement of the alphas across the years. 

That also makes sense Pete. I feel from the 907DR onwards that the mid - bottom bass had softened for a more balanced overall feq response. It is what it is I suppose. 

Edited July 2, 2020 by Sansui77

[nadstar 68]

how's the 1966 AU111

[Sansui77 1,587]

On 05/08/2020 at 1:10 PM, nadstar said:

how's the 1966 AU111

Powerfull, dynamic, open & airy 3D sound stage. It will surprise you how good it sounds. Haven't switched it on for a while though.

 

Regarding this thread. I'm in the process of a speaker rebuild and that's why no updates.

 

Redo cabinets, repaint etc

Adding front grills

Adding outriggers

Updating internal wiring

Updating / rebuilding speaker xovers with closer tolerances.

Adding SB acoustics super tweeters

 

Once all this is completed, I hope to get this review done soon with a few other members with their opinions.

 

 

Edited August 6, 2020 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

Finally....... my package has arrived....thanks Toll 🙄

 

Temporary fitted the new SB Acoustics super tweeters. Now into the testing phase to get everything right before they will be dismantled for a refit, ie new paint, upgraded crossovers, wiring etc.

 

 

Testing frequently response, phase shift etc.

 

Edited February 20 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

Update..... I have just hand built new updated crossovers but they're in their testing phase so hope to have the speakers completed and finished in the next couple of months for this Sansui GTG.

 

Might even have another contender 🤔

 

Edited October 10, 2020 by Sansui77

[Guest]

@BuzzzFuzzz - my gut tells me a big arse Sansui may be in your future.

[Cafad 3,642]

14 hours ago, Sansui77 said:

Update..... I have just hand built new updated crossovers but they're in their testing phase so hope to have the speakers completed and finished in the next couple of months for this Sansui GTG.

 

Might even have another contender 🤔

 

An "Awesome Fivesome" then.  Nice!

[MrMojo 200]

Very nice top 4 heavy weights of Sansui stable you have got there 👍

 

How does the 907NRA compare to the 907 Limited?

[Sansui77 1,587]

On 20/10/2020 at 10:13 PM, MrMojo said:

Very nice top 4 heavy weights of Sansui stable you have got there 👍

 

How does the 907NRA compare to the 907 Limited?

Sorry for the late reply.

There's not a huge difference between the two but to me the Limited has more lower end body to it. The NRA has a more forward in the mid band, a little cleaner overall presentation. Accoustics and vocals I prefer the NRA, everything else the Limited.

Edited October 21, 2020 by Sansui77

[MrMojo 200]

2 hours ago, Sansui77 said:

Sorry for the late reply.

There's not a huge difference between the two but to me the Limited has more lower end body to it. The NRA has a more forward in the mid band, a little cleaner overall presentation. Accoustics and vocals I prefer the NRA, everything else the Limited.

 

Thanks a lot @Sansui77 there are not many people who have these Sansui beauties to compare side by side, so your experience and impression is valuable. Thanks for sharing.

[Sansui77 1,587]

Change of sound direction.

 

New speakers running on the NRA.

Top Seas drivers and crossovers. These are the top of the line with solid copper phase plugs on the woofers and coper rings on the tweeters. They sound fantastic and I'm looking forward in hearing them with the others.

Edited January 8 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

A new direction.

 

Some Harbeth SHL5 plus' are on their way to mate with the Sansui's. Im so excited.

Edited January 31 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

4 hour road trip with my son to pickup a set of Harbeth SHL5+ with boxes etc..... Now listening to them....WOW, very impressed, keepers for sure.

[BATMAQN 1,840]

6 hours ago, Sansui77 said:

4 hour road trip with my son to pickup a set of Harbeth SHL5+ with boxes etc..... Now listening to them....WOW, very impressed, keepers for sure.

Yes very nice indeed 👍 an excellent combo, my Harbeths paired nicely with Sansui as do my Spendors and the Rogers, I would guess most of the British based speakers would pair well with Sansui. 
 

I do love my Suzi’s. 
 

Are those the Skylan stands?

[Sansui77 1,587]

On 07/02/2021 at 4:01 PM, BATMAQN said:

Yes very nice indeed 👍 an excellent combo, my Harbeths paired nicely with Sansui as do my Spendors and the Rogers, I would guess most of the British based speakers would pair well with Sansui. 
 

I do love my Suzi’s. 
 

Are those the Skylan stands?

Yes they're Skylan stands. There filled with rice. They're heavy.

 

 

Edited February 20 by Sansui77

[Sansui77 1,587]

I have to say, the AU-1111 MOS Vintage is the crown winner "Hear" BUT I need to revisit the AU-111 since I haven't heard it for sometime and I have a feeling it's going to be a challenge to decide which I'd prefer.

 

The MOS Vintage has everything.... power, dynamics, punch, wide sound stage, depth, 3D imaging, lovely midrange, accurate top end.

 

Goose bumps galore..

 

 

 

Edited February 21 by Sansui77