Sansui 9090

factorz

So I see one of these listed on my local CL for 375 and it looks to be in really nice condition. I would use it to power my RTA-12C's and want to know what people think? Anything to look for or ask about this unt? Thanks for looking.

George Grand

Depends if you want an overpriced, 25 year old receiver, or something a little more modern in separates that sounds a little to a lot better.

mhardy6647

I (think I) concur with George. The 9090 is held in artificially high regard - if you ask me - because it's pretty powerful and it looks really cool. Unlike George, I might spend that kind of gelt on something that old (or considerably older) but that wouldn't be the model nor probably the brand I'd spend it on. Were I spending real money on vintage Sansui, I'd look at their separates or one of their better integrated amps (e.g., AU-717).

mhardy6647

cubdog

mhardy6647 wrote: »

This is great advice.

cubdog

Tony M

I sold a GREAT Sansui rack system for 350.00 a year ago.So look around a little harder... It was another thing I hated to sell!!!

Here is a link to the guy who's added a little to it but the big pieces were mine.. He added an analog tuner ,turntable and echo generator and speakers. He got a sweet deal didn't he..:cool:


http://greensboro.craigslist.org/ele/2508639712.html

cnh

Good advice above. If you really want to do a vintage receiver, power some vintage bookshelves or medium sized vintage speakers from that period and look to the second or third tier of the series. You can often get those at a bargain price. They still sound almost as good as the top tier models just have less power.

Actually you'd be surprised how good some of the second models sound.

But if you just want to upgrade, separates are still preferable. I've been running a lot of vintage receivers of late (Pioneer, Sansui, Sherwood, Kenwood, Vector Research)--still nothing compared to mhardy) and it's been fun. But when all is said and done my Nakamichi passive pre-amp and supporting amps are definitely cleaner and more dynamic than any of the receivers, including the monster Pioneer 120 watt x 2 silver face. (But the Pioneer is not bad!).

And then, there is the tube amp!

cnh

niente

skip the 9090 and hunt down the Sansui separates
great value for the $

I still use my AU-517 and TU-517 system in my basement - really nice sound and never had a problem with them

The car I had at the time didn't last as long......

Come to think of it....neither did my marriage!!!:eek::rolleyes:

mhardy6647

cnh wrote: »

Good advice above. If you really want to do a vintage receiver, power some vintage bookshelves or medium sized vintage speakers from that period and look to the second or third tier of the series. You can often get those at a bargain price. They still sound almost as good as the top tier models just have less power.

Actually you'd be surprised how good some of the second models sound.

But if you just want to upgrade separates are still preferable. I've been running a lot of vintage receivers of late (Pioneer, Sansui, Sherwood, Kenwood, Vector Research)--still nothing compared to mhardy) and it's been fun. But when all is said and done my Nakamichi passive pre-amp and supporting amps are definitely cleaner and more dynamic than any of the receivers, including the monster Pioneer 120 watt x 2 silver face. (But the Pioneer is not bad!).

And then, there is the tube amp!

cnh

I do own a coupla receivers - but I don't really use any of them :-P
If and when I do use one, it will/would most likely be a Yamaha, though.

cnh

That Yamaha is a nice piece, doesn't GG have one of those for sale? I stand corrected, thought all shots of vintage receivers were yours. But as you point out in other posts, you salvage them and send them on their way to a new home.

If I'm not mistaken that piece is also a second or third tier beneath what was Top of the Line for Yamaha at that time?

cnh

mhardy6647

That is a CR-2020 and it was, in fact top of the line - although Yamaha did, slightly later, have a statement TOTL receiver called the CR-3020. I've never seen one in the... umm... flesh.

Your advice is good, though. A CR-800 or CR-820 was expensive when new, cheap today, and looks, performs, and sounds good. Vintage Polk Audio loves vintage Yamaha, too!

That's a CR-820 in the top of this not-too-great photo.



Yeah, these are still mine... OK, so I collect vintage Yamaha receivers, for no apparent reason. That's not, like, weird or anything, right?

;-)

EndersShadow

What model Yammy is that?


edit: NM

My dad has a Yamaha CR-240 thats in his attic for me....

factorz

Thanks everyone. It sounds like this one should be a pass.

George Grand

You may not find Sansui separates, but with $325 - $350 and a little perseverance, you should be able to find a nice amp/preamp combo right here at Polk after awhile, that would leave the sound of that receiver in the dust.

Mark, maybe a couple receivers for around $300 but they'd have to be museum quality, visually and operationally. Another AR as a back-up and maybe the grandest Tandberg. That's it.

mhardy6647

George Grand wrote: »

You may not find Sansui separates, but with $325 - $350 and a little perseverance, you should be able to find a nice amp/preamp combo right here at Polk after awhile, that would leave the sound of that receiver in the dust.

Mark, maybe a couple receivers for around $300 but they'd have to be museum quality, visually and operationally. Another AR as a back-up and maybe the grandest Tandberg. That's it.

I don't disagree for the Japanese-sourced solid state stuff.

mmmm... Tandberg. Love to have a Tandberg Rx - great sound, great tuners, great cosmetics.

Restored Fisher, Scott, and Sherwood tube receivers are worth that sort of price of admission (if one likes that sort of thing).

Nothing at my house is museum quality! :-P

cnh

Tandberg...never heard any. Norwegian, right? Lots of Scott tube receivers on ebay but I'm not up to the task of 'restoration' on those. I'm sure they sound good!

Gotta go with George's opinion on this, he has a lot more experience than yours truly!

cnh

mhardy6647

Yup. Fine tape decks and fine receivers. Not cheap (then or now).

mhardy6647

Yup. Fine tape decks and fine receivers. Not cheap (then or now).



I only have a couple of Tandberg pieces - and not of their really cool/best stuff :-(

DON73

factorz wrote: »

So I see one of these listed on my local CL for 375 and it looks to be in really nice condition. I would use it to power my RTA-12C's and want to know what people think? Anything to look for or ask about this unt? Thanks for looking.

If it's really nice......near mint you could buy it try it out for a while and most likely turn a $200+ profit on e-bay.

mrbigbluelight

tony millard wrote: »

I sold a GREAT Sansui rack system for 350.00 a year ago.So look around a little harder... It was another thing I hated to sell!!!
Here is a link to the guy who's added a little to it but the big pieces were mine.. He added an analog tuner ,turntable and echo generator and speakers. He got a sweet deal didn't he..:cool:

Well, he did add that RA-900 reverb amp to the mix, that would certainly account for the slight mark-up.

PLUNK .....twang ........ PLUNK .......twang


For $3XX, and if that unit is in near-mint condition (not just hosed down with a can of Deoxit), I'd say go for it.
Have to admit I'm very partial to Sansui, though, and should also admit that I enjoyed the rock sound of those HPM-100's back in the day. :redface:
So take my advice with a grain of salt.

PLUNK .... twang ....... PlUNK ...... twang

stuwee

Bunch of monster receiver haters :biggrin:.

I never cared for the two different lamp colors on the big 'Sui's the blue and white for the meters just killed the looks for me. If it was DB model, I'd tell you to run and don't look back...J/K! The DB's had all kinds of issues, mainly that a tech wouldn't like to work on one, PITA!!

If you like that look, go for it :cool:, you could do alot worse.


btw, unobtainium IC's in there :eek:

Cayuga

I have a Tandberg 2040, nice sounding and very nice looking. Connector or pins are hard to come by. A Sansui for that price better do more than make music, I paid $10 for my Sansui 2000A.

mhardy6647

Well... in fairness a 2000A and a 9090 are sort of at opposite ends of the spectrum.

halo71

Mark, seen this? :biggrin:

http://providence.craigslist.org/ele/2542088655.html

20hz

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I (think I) concur with George. The 9090 is held in artificially high regard - if you ask me - because it's pretty powerful and it looks really cool. Unlike George, I might spend that kind of gelt on something that old (or considerably older) but that wouldn't be the model nor probably the brand I'd spend it on. Were I spending real money on vintage Sansui, I'd look at their separates or one of their better integrated amps (e.g., AU-717).

WOW 52 lbs heavy old receiver w/125 wpc I wonder if the onboard processor was amplified ?
I really like those rectangular knobs on the yamaha's .

mhardy6647

The "Dolby" is NR for FM (and/or tape), not Dolby ProLogic. That Rx is from ca. 1978 and is strictly two-channel.

mrbigbluelight

TU9900 for sale in the FM. $300. No affil.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122980