Great collection, sound really great. I'm a fan of Sansui products. Still own the old Au-d707G extra amplifier since 1984. Can't afford the 909 at that time. And Sansui speaker Sp-G300ll. Good enough to produce some good Rock numbers Unfortunately the company closed years ago. Love Sansui! Thanks for your sharing 🙏
I still kick myself for throwing mine away when we left California in 1993. It had blown the fuse, so I replaced the Amp with a Kenwood KR 720 receiver. The Sansui sat in the garage for years, till we moved, and I took it to the dump along with a lot of other "junk." But I saved the knobs because they were nice (the solid aluminum ones you showed). I sold those knobs on Ebay for $100 bucks a few years ago to someone looking for the AU 111 knobs. Did that person find the one I had taken to the dump so many years before?
I've never listened to a Quad II...been very close to buying a pair, a couple times now - but, I can't really say. I know they use KT66's; many say they are similar sounding to 6L6GC's - which the AU111 uses. So, I'd guess that there are some similarities between them from that perspective...How much more are they alike, that's a good question. From my experience, the AU-111 is the tube amp that really doesn't sound like the typical tube amp. A guest of mine described it as "non-tubey"...lol. Reviews say the Quads are polite sounding, others claim a bit thin, wooly in the bass...I've also heard Quads can be made to sound exceptional. I'd be curious with some of our subscribers experiences with the Quads...Anyone?
I'd love some Telefunkens or Mullards; However, I am a big fan on the "Preferred Line" of tubes by The Tubestore. You can find them here: www.thetubestore.com/tube-brands/preferred-series
I have a recapped retubed AU-111 as well as it’s little brother the AU-70, and my Modern Class-D ICEPower modules, as well as my other Hypex NCORE Class-D amp , are smoother, more detailed and are simply better than this overhyped dinosaur that was best tech in that day. It’s place is as a museum piece. It has a custom cathode feedback winding in the OPT for lower distortion, I think only mackintosh have something similar, just makes it sound more like a SS amp only it’s tubes. The power supply is a unique voltage doubler approach. I have a 2nd AU-70, that the original OPTs fried by previous owner, rather than dump the thing, I replaced both OPTs with Hammond OPT, while this unique amp lost its feedback winding VS the original, it sounds very relaxed, less details more tuby distortion, but can have it on for hours without fatigue.
The Au 111 is not expensive if you have any experience with high end gear. Its up to the biggest names in audio history. The Transformers are very special like the Mcintosh mc 275. Without the 1000€ transformers you can never get such a fine tube amplifier. What kind of Transformers do you think, a modern tube amp in the 3 k category are used? The Sansui au 111 is a steal for 3k in todays Money and inflation. 😂. A second hand C.A.T. power amp can only beat this amp. Than you have to find a matching pre amp. ..paired with a N.A.T. plasma...or big VTL... than we are talking better or equal with the right speakers. This is my experience with tube high end. Sansui au 111 does everything right.
Yes, expensive is all relevant. You also hit the nail with the transformers, they are legendary. In fact, Hashimoto Transformers (born out of Sansui Electric) are still produced today and find their way into many boutique brands like Triode Labs right here in Canada. I think I've now owned 3 or 4 of these, I keep coming back for a reason! Thanks for sharing.
The information on here is second to none! caveman approves of the vintage vibe all day everyday!
Great collection, sound really great. I'm a fan of Sansui products. Still own the old Au-d707G extra amplifier since 1984. Can't afford the 909 at that time. And Sansui speaker Sp-G300ll. Good enough to produce some good Rock numbers Unfortunately the company closed years ago. Love Sansui! Thanks for your sharing 🙏
Same here!
I’m proud owner of Sansui SR-838. Beautiful and great sound. Would love to own an all Sansui system oh well.
I had one of those 838's...that is a well built and great performing unit!
I still kick myself for throwing mine away when we left California in 1993. It had blown the fuse, so I replaced the Amp with a Kenwood KR 720 receiver. The Sansui sat in the garage for years, till we moved, and I took it to the dump along with a lot of other "junk." But I saved the knobs because they were nice (the solid aluminum ones you showed). I sold those knobs on Ebay for $100 bucks a few years ago to someone looking for the AU 111 knobs. Did that person find the one I had taken to the dump so many years before?
Wow...that's quite a story. The AU-111 is an incredible piece when it's on the right speakers. What did you think of the sound of yours?
Sorry - the specs should have read 40 watts x2 @ 0.8 THD - not sure how my fat fingers messed that up!
Hows the phono stage preamp in these units? I assume they had it integrated..... Getting me hooked!
The phono stage is quite good. Its really hard to fault this amp!
Phono has a solid state transistor front end which eventually drives a 12ax7 If my memory is correct.
overhyped
How this Sansui 111 compares to Quad II ?
I've never listened to a Quad II...been very close to buying a pair, a couple times now - but, I can't really say. I know they use KT66's; many say they are similar sounding to 6L6GC's - which the AU111 uses. So, I'd guess that there are some similarities between them from that perspective...How much more are they alike, that's a good question. From my experience, the AU-111 is the tube amp that really doesn't sound like the typical tube amp. A guest of mine described it as "non-tubey"...lol. Reviews say the Quads are polite sounding, others claim a bit thin, wooly in the bass...I've also heard Quads can be made to sound exceptional. I'd be curious with some of our subscribers experiences with the Quads...Anyone?
Looks familiar JG!😊
lol. Yes it sure does. I've already booked the TU-X1 in with the doctor ;)
What input tubes are your favourite in your AU-111 ?
I'd love some Telefunkens or Mullards; However, I am a big fan on the "Preferred Line" of tubes by The Tubestore. You can find them here: www.thetubestore.com/tube-brands/preferred-series
С КАКОЙ АКУСТИКОЙ ЕГО ЛУЧШЕ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАТЬ?
Beautiful with older horn loaded speakers. JBL, Altec, etc. Lovely sounding amplifier.
@@1JGP1 Спасибо
I have this amp!
Lucky duck! It's a keeper!
@@1JGP1hehe
@@1JGP1thanks I am indeed
I have a recapped retubed AU-111 as well as it’s little brother the AU-70,
and my Modern Class-D ICEPower modules, as well as my other Hypex NCORE Class-D amp , are smoother, more detailed and are simply better than this overhyped dinosaur that was best tech in that day. It’s place is as a museum piece.
It has a custom cathode feedback winding in the OPT for lower distortion, I think only mackintosh have something similar, just makes it sound more like a SS amp only it’s tubes.
The power supply is a unique voltage doubler approach.
I have a 2nd AU-70, that the original OPTs fried by previous owner, rather than dump the thing, I replaced both OPTs with Hammond OPT, while this unique amp lost its feedback winding VS the original, it sounds very relaxed, less details more tuby distortion, but can have it on for hours without fatigue.
Thanks for your take on it. All opinions are appreciated around here.
The Au 111 is not expensive if you have any experience with high end gear. Its up to the biggest names in audio history. The Transformers are very special like the Mcintosh mc 275. Without the 1000€ transformers you can never get such a fine tube amplifier. What kind of Transformers do you think, a modern tube amp in the 3 k category are used? The Sansui au 111 is a steal for 3k in todays Money and inflation. 😂.
A second hand C.A.T. power amp can only beat this amp. Than you have to find a matching pre amp. ..paired with a N.A.T. plasma...or big VTL... than we are talking better or equal with the right speakers.
This is my experience with tube high end. Sansui au 111 does everything right.
Yes, expensive is all relevant. You also hit the nail with the transformers, they are legendary. In fact, Hashimoto Transformers (born out of Sansui Electric) are still produced today and find their way into many boutique brands like Triode Labs right here in Canada. I think I've now owned 3 or 4 of these, I keep coming back for a reason! Thanks for sharing.