My dad bought a g8000 at the PX on Crete where he was stationed in 1978, with the money the German gov gave him when i was born... my nappies, baby clothes and pram money went to a g8000, as well as a cassette deck (sansui SC3100), a reel to reel (Pioneer RT707), a turntable (Pioneer PL560), 2 Kenwood KL777s and 2 KL777d..... and today all this equipment is running perfectly at my house in SOUTH AFRICA.... and looks as good as it did in the pics from when i was a newborn baby!
The G-9000 and G-901 are among the favorites I have in my longtime Sansui collection. These are keepers, whereas I dont miss the 9090DB at all in comparison. Everyone has their preferences, whether its based on visual appearance or actual performance, but the sound quality that your ears perceive is coming thru your SPEAKERS, not the amp itself, along wih the how the speakers are setup in the acoustics of your listening room. I would say that Any good amp played thru mediocre speakers, will result in mediocre sound. Thus, without knowing the brand/model speakers you have and room setup info, you should keep in mind you might have a false perception of the G series and the full potential they're capable of that justifies their $ pricetag nowadays (if the majority of people shared your lesser opinion of them, they would not be selling for as much as they do). A more unbiased way of comparing is to look at the test specs of a G-8000 (or 9000) vs a 9090db or non DB. Or have each model side-by-side in one of your videos, with the cover off to see/compare the INSIDE layout & construction, or look at the specs as shown for each model in the Sansui brochures. The specs dont lie- its measured by test equipment, vs what someone's own ears thinks sounds "better". As an analogy, just because someone likes the taste of tea more vs coffee does not Prove its really superior, its just their own preference (thus, apply same logic to comparing two vintage hi fi amps). Unfortunately, you did not show or discuss anything on the circuitry inside the amp, vs just fixating on the vinyl cover. Unless its peeling, the cover is not a big deal. It can always be upgraded to a custom made cover, or if installed within an audio cabinet/shelf, wont be seen at all. The G-901/801 overseas version were actually more elegant, still vinyl, but looks more elegant with a darker cover, as on the later G series models (7500-5500, 9700...4700...) and gunmetal front chrome. I think the G series are awesome with deluxe size volume & tuning knobs, as large as they are on their classic AU integrated amps (717, 919....)- all the others series are much smaller and the 9090db series does not even have a separate balance knob. The illuminated Sansui logo within the tuner display is also brilliant on the G series- very elegant. The G series also dont suffer the servicing headaches of the dolby boards as on the 9090/8080 db's. The G series represent Sansui at the peak of their success in the late 70's, especially the first generation G, as represented by the 160W G-9000 (G-901). Corners were starting to be cut by the time the last generation G's were being made in 1979-80, and it is very noticeable in the followup Z series- very sad how the deluxe volume and tuning knobs were lopped off and replaced by flimsy pushbutton switches, thus G-9000 is preferred to the G-9700 and MUCH preferred to the 9900Z.
Although heralded as this series is, I have heard one in person on two different speakers and found it ?hollow? sounding. Especially when compared to early AU series. I have a handful of vintage Sui’s and love them. As far as looks go, eh uhm it’s a miss for me as well.
Could not agree more. Funny thing is I have a 7500 and 5500 I’m working on now that I’ll shoot reviews on as well. I’ll be interested to see how similar they are (I have another 8000 in the shop as well). It’s been ‘Sansui Season’ for the past month or so :)
My dad bought a g8000 at the PX on Crete where he was stationed in 1978, with the money the German gov gave him when i was born... my nappies, baby clothes and pram money went to a g8000, as well as a cassette deck (sansui SC3100), a reel to reel (Pioneer RT707), a turntable (Pioneer PL560), 2 Kenwood KL777s and 2 KL777d.....
and today all this equipment is running perfectly at my house in SOUTH AFRICA.... and looks as good as it did in the pics from when i was a newborn baby!
That’s really cool. I love it when stuff comes into the shop (or onto my bench) with a story 😀
The G-9000 and G-901 are among the favorites I have in my longtime Sansui collection. These are keepers, whereas I dont miss the 9090DB at all in comparison.
Everyone has their preferences, whether its based on visual appearance or actual performance, but the sound quality that your ears perceive is coming thru your SPEAKERS, not the amp itself, along wih the how the speakers are setup in the acoustics of your listening room. I would say that Any good amp played thru mediocre speakers, will result in mediocre sound. Thus, without knowing the brand/model speakers you have and room setup info, you should keep in mind you might have a false perception of the G series and the full potential they're capable of that justifies their $ pricetag nowadays (if the majority of people shared your lesser opinion of them, they would not be selling for as much as they do).
A more unbiased way of comparing is to look at the test specs of a G-8000 (or 9000) vs a 9090db or non DB. Or have each model side-by-side in one of your videos, with the cover off to see/compare the INSIDE layout & construction, or look at the specs as shown for each model in the Sansui brochures. The specs dont lie- its measured by test equipment, vs what someone's own ears thinks sounds "better". As an analogy, just because someone likes the taste of tea more vs coffee does not Prove its really superior, its just their own preference (thus, apply same logic to comparing two vintage hi fi amps).
Unfortunately, you did not show or discuss anything on the circuitry inside the amp, vs just fixating on the vinyl cover. Unless its peeling, the cover is not a big deal. It can always be upgraded to a custom made cover, or if installed within an audio cabinet/shelf, wont be seen at all. The G-901/801 overseas version were actually more elegant, still vinyl, but looks more elegant with a darker cover, as on the later G series models (7500-5500, 9700...4700...) and gunmetal front chrome.
I think the G series are awesome with deluxe size volume & tuning knobs, as large as they are on their classic AU integrated amps (717, 919....)- all the others series are much smaller and the 9090db series does not even have a separate balance knob. The illuminated Sansui logo within the tuner display is also brilliant on the G series- very elegant. The G series also dont suffer the servicing headaches of the dolby boards as on the 9090/8080 db's.
The G series represent Sansui at the peak of their success in the late 70's, especially the first generation G, as represented by the 160W G-9000 (G-901). Corners were starting to be cut by the time the last generation G's were being made in 1979-80, and it is very noticeable in the followup Z series- very sad how the deluxe volume and tuning knobs were lopped off and replaced by flimsy pushbutton switches, thus G-9000 is preferred to the G-9700 and MUCH preferred to the 9900Z.
Thanks for the comments!
Although heralded as this series is, I have heard one in person on two different speakers and found it ?hollow? sounding. Especially when compared to early AU series. I have a handful of vintage Sui’s and love them. As far as looks go, eh uhm it’s a miss for me as well.
Could not agree more. Funny thing is I have a 7500 and 5500 I’m working on now that I’ll shoot reviews on as well. I’ll be interested to see how similar they are (I have another 8000 in the shop as well). It’s been ‘Sansui Season’ for the past month or so :)