Does anyone own a Sansui AU-111 amplifier? If so, can you provide your impressions of the amp? For years, I've been looking at the pictures over at the Sansui USA website and wishing one would come around locally. The rare times they appear on Ebay, they fetch a very high premium. They sure look wonderful. Thanks.

http://stason.org/TULARC/entertainment/audio/general/11-13-Do-tube-amps-sound-better-than-transistor-amps-FETs.html

That's an abbreviated but interesting discussion about tube amps vs. solid state.
I read on a Sansui site that the Sansui engineers intentionally engineered their first solid state amp, the AU-999, to sound like their tube amps. (Actually, the AU-777 was the first Sansui solid state, but the AU-999 is the TOTL in the same series and is the one I have. I also have an AU-777A which is essentially the same, to me, in sound as the AU-999).
Most people, including myself, generally agree that the AU-999 series does indeed sound "tubular" (although I confess that I've never had an AU-111 to make a direct comparison).

For my part, I find that different series of Sansui gear sounds different from other series. Not necessarily "better"; just different. Of what I have, I always seem to come back to the sound of my AU-999 as being my favorite... warm, like butta'. :music:

This is all fascinating stuff, but each of us have preferences to what we like in sound which is probably why there is no "perfect" amp from Sansui or anyone else.

Does anyone own a Sansui AU-111 amplifier? If so, can you provide your impressions of the amp? For years, I've been looking at the pictures over at the Sansui USA website and wishing one would come around locally. The rare times they appear on Ebay, they fetch a very high premium. They sure look wonderful. Thanks.

I've been eye balling one of those for some time too. In 1999 they re-introduced the AU-111 as the AU-111 Vintage. That would be the ultimate Sansui for me.
http://www.sansui.us/PG_AU111_Vintage.htm

Maybe one of these days.

Good luck!

Have been using a Sansui AU-111 for a couple of years now, done the re-cap & re-tube thing, and it works beautifully.

I have now just acquired another two of these, this time the slightly older model with two-tone black/silver knobs (the first one I had has got aluminium knobs). Again, did the re-cap thing, replaced two of the 6L6GC tubes which I had as spare from the first amplifier, and it sounds just as sweet.

Busy working now on the last one, again have done the re-capping and have it working well on one channel, but distorted on the other. Have a bit more work to do to sort this out, then I have to find place to mount these beauts.

The last two AU-111s are in very good cosmetic condition. And yes, I now have a sore back from lifting and moving these giants around ;-)

-F_D

Been watching for a AU-111 myself, Ron. Looks like the ultimate. :yes:

aws2k

What capacitor brand did you use for recapping your au-111 ? and which one did you recap whth high quality caps ?

I am rebuilding my au-111 with first ordinary caps but when I will make it work may upgrade to better ones !

Ger56

Ger56,

Valve amplifiers aren't too fussy. As long as you use any modern cap for the coupling caps, you will be fine! High-voltage (400VDC) Polyester caps are perfectly adequate. Change all the oil caps, and test the filter electrolytics. Best is to power up with a Variac (if you have one) or a 100W globe in series for an hour or so, to allow the electrolytic caps to "reform". I changed the two 33uF 6V cathode electrolytics as well for V4, 12AX7 (pins 3 & 8), and also replaced the rectifier diodes with 1N4007.


-Eric

I JUST MISSED getting one of these beauties a while back. [Posted about it here at the time.] Haven't seen another one (before or since), but still keeping my eyes open for a second chance. I did later get to hear the one that I didn't get, played through large 2-way vintage Altecs, and it sounded very nice. I wouldn't hesistate to grab one, if one comes along! :yes: :music: :thmbsp:

Thank you Ews2k .

What do you think of Auricaps or polypropylenes metalized ; do you think this can be a real improvment , they are pretty expensive !

Also can you recommand any brand in polyester 400vdc ?

Regards

Ger56

I used Orange drops in my 1000A, Sounds great...

Polyprops are good - I just grab whatever I can. A capacitor's function is to block DC by offering a high resistance to it, while allowing AC to pass through unrestricted. The value of the Cap determines it's AC characteriscs. Reputable modern caps are perfect in this regard, and the choice of cap for AF frequencies is fairly open. You can use Polyester or Polyprop, no need to use expensive "Audio Quality" caps, spend your money elsewhere!


In case anyone's interested, there's an AU-111 going on Ebay right now, Item number: 110192338961. Kind of expensive, I paid about $80 in total for all three of mine, but that is one of the advantages of living where I am, I suppose... :D


-Eric

I have noticed several AU-111s for sale at E-Bay in the last two or three weeks. Not sure what internal condition they are in though.

However, I have read in places that the AU-70 is just as sweet, or perhaps better, than the Sansui tube flagship. I have never had either, so I don't know. I do own both 1000A and 500A, with the former due back from the tech next week.

I have noticed several AU-111s for sale at E-Bay in the last two or three weeks. Not sure what internal condition they are in though.

However, I have read in places that the AU-70 is just as sweet, or perhaps better, than the Sansui tube flagship. I have never had either, so I don't know. I do own both 1000A and 500A, with the former due back from the tech next week.

I've got this one as well, kind of a smaller brother to the AU-111 and also does indeed sound very sweet!


-F_D

I have no tube gear as yet, but I did give a friend a 1000 receiver which was a tube type unit, wish I'd kept it.
Nothing can compare with your AU 9500 Ron, but it would be neat to have an AU 111 and a TU 70 as a den unit...
Casey

I have no tube gear as yet, but I did give a friend a 1000 receiver which was a tube type unit, wish I'd kept it.
Nothing can compare with your AU 9500 Ron, but it would be neat to have an AU 111 and a TU 70 as a den unit...
Casey

Keep in mind that the 1000 is internally different from the 1000A. The 1000A is a complete redo, while the 1000 is really an SM-80 with downsized parts. Two completely different receivers. Always go for the 1000A, which is better.

The 1000

http://www.tube-amps.net/images/1000/1000_DSC00132.jpg

The 1000A

http://www.tube-amps.net/images/1000A/1000A_02_600.jpg

As for a choice between the AU-70 or the AU-111, I will be obtaining an AU-70 first, because it will not set me back as much. And while one is just a little more than half the output as the other, the quality is every bit as good with both. But I will have to wait until I have all my tube gear refurbished before spending any more money on new playpretties. :D

I just arrange an Au-111 and only change some caps and rebuild a new power section .

I found the sound very nice , nice plenty bass , mild medium and most of all MUSICALITY .

But first off all , I think it is more a match between Speakers and amplifier .
I run the Sansui on My Jbl 250 Ti and I know Sansui suits very well with Jbl.
Compared to Kt88 amps it sounds much less precise but much more musical because of the medium .

ger56