Author Topic: Surplus amps (Read 991080 times)

rascal101 · « **Reply #2400 on:** Apr 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM »

Wow Sir Sandawa the Sansui Alpha 907 iMOS Limited sure looks very good.

How does a Sansui AU-D907F compare vs the Alpha 907 iMOS in terms of sound reproduction?

sandawa · « **Reply #2401 on:** Apr 13, 2008 at 07:37 AM »

Hi Nelson,

I don't have a rigid rule which is best and which is not. One way is to audition the gear first, and let the ears decide which ones sound good. A better way is to have previous experience with the unit. Many of us would sell this and that and would realize later they sound better than the "upgrades." A lot of those who would PM me on inquiries such as this were disappointed I guess since I would flatly tell them, I wouldn't make a comment or recommendation, even thru PM, unless I have an experience with the unit. Another limitation is that I'm only into vintage hifi and not into new production hifi.

In "speed transacting" or when there is serious competition, however, I would look at internet sources and check the history, specs and the unit's resale value. Like many in this forum, I also refer to test claims of manufacturers. But I hardly buy amps and speakers that were quoted by Hifido below 20,000 yen, unless offered dirt cheap.

Hi Rascal,

The sonic difference between a 907F and an alpha 907 is so significant. To my ears it was like comparing a good 20-watt amp with a good 100-watt amp. The alpha 907s I now have are the closest to the huge Krell and Stasis amps I can only dream of in the '80s.

BTW, I have just withdrawn my interest in the 907iMos Limited due to problems bringing it from Baguio to Davao. Also my trader told me a couple of high-power alpha series amps (400-watt consumption kuno!) are arriving within the week and I'll have the first look.

Hi Terii,

I can't afford Hifido prices, thus I try to go after units that arrive here in the Philippines and hope they're in good condition. The ongoing price for 907 alpha series in the port city where I live is from $200 to $300. Unfortunately, such units rarely come in, could be once a year. I hope my friend is telling the truth.

Nelson O · « **Reply #2402 on:** Apr 13, 2008 at 08:31 AM »

Same here sir Sandawa, i'm also into vintage solidstate collecting,
whenever i chance upon a vintage looking amp, i'll immediately
get its model no. and surf the internet for its worthiness, e.g.
good review, price, etc. I'm not into new production amps, cause
good sounding one's is way to expensive compared to vintage heavyweights.
What i can say is, i'm truly enjoying the thrill of hunting these audio gears, much
more when i got home with it and finally taste (hear) the fruit of my labor

More often than not, it brings smile and happiness especially if it blends well
with the existing gears.
To this day, nothing came my way which dissapoints me of my vintage audio
journey. Knock on wooden side panels of TOTL AU's

I hope you find that AU..... that you're looking for very soon!
I wish also that someday, i'll be able to have the opportunity of owning even
one of the AU that you have for i have only one which is AU-607f extra

rascal101 · « **Reply #2403 on:** Apr 13, 2008 at 11:03 AM »

Quote from: sandawa on Apr 13, 2008 at 07:37 AM

Hi Nelson,

I don't have a rigid rule which is best and which is not. One way is to audition the gear first, and let the ears decide which ones sound good. A better way is to have previous experience with the unit. Many of us would sell this and that and would realize later they sound better than the "upgrades." A lot of those who would PM me on inquiries such as this were disappointed I guess since I would flatly tell them, I wouldn't make a comment or recommendation, even thru PM, unless I have an experience with the unit. Another limitation is that I'm only into vintage hifi and not into new production hifi.

In "speed transacting" or when there is serious competition, however, I would look at internet sources and check the history, specs and the unit's resale value. Like many in this forum, I also refer to test claims of manufacturers. But I hardly buy amps and speakers that were quoted by Hifido below 20,000 yen, unless offered dirt cheap.

Hi Rascal,

The sonic difference between a 907F and an alpha 907 is so significant. To my ears it was like comparing a good 20-watt amp with a good 100-watt amp. The alpha 907s I now have are the closest to the huge Krell and Stasis amps I can only dream of in the '80s.

BTW, I have just withdrawn my interest in the 907iMos Limited due to problems bringing it from Baguio to Davao. Also my trader told me a couple of high-power alpha series amps (400-watt consumption kuno!) are arriving within the week and I'll have the first look.

Hi Terii,

I can't afford Hifido prices, thus I try to go after units that arrive here in the Philippines and hope they're in good condition. The ongoing price for 907 alpha series in the port city where I live is from $200 to $300. Unfortunately, such units rarely come in, could be once a year. I hope my friend is telling the truth.

Thanks for the information. BTW, Sent you PM.

I hope I can get one of those Apha 907 iMOS.

terii · « **Reply #2404 on:** Apr 14, 2008 at 12:43 AM »

Hi Terii

I can't afford Hifido prices, thus I try to go after units that arrive here in the Philippines and hope they're in good condition. The ongoing price for 907 alpha series in the port city where I live is from $200 to $300. Unfortunately, such units rarely come in, could be once a year. I hope my friend is telling the truth.

Hi Sandawa

You have a friend who warns trader arrivals
Sansui of vintage is a plus to me by rappoort
I know that hifido is expensive, it is the only that I found at this time in Japan that sends to the international, I am aware that I pay for the expensive sansui
In france is no market for the high-range sansui reserved for Japanese (100 v), one of the reasons I buy directly to japan
I tried at AUDIOUNION: their response, we are incaples to ship to foreign countries

sandawa · « **Reply #2405 on:** Apr 14, 2008 at 07:31 AM »

Terii,

Thanks for those valuable information. Should you need small parts for your Japanese equipment that are unavailable there, just PM me. I may be able to find you some of those parts here. I've done that for a couple of Audio Karma members at no cost to them.

sandawa · « **Reply #2406 on:** Apr 15, 2008 at 09:15 PM »

I almost forgot about this. Not OT since this might be important for serious vintage (surplus) Japanese amp collectors. Literature of your gear could be available for sale from The Vintage Knob.

Yesterday, I and probably some members of this forum, got an email from Axel Dahl, our friendly Japanese vintage hifi expert based in Paris. Here's the message:

"To fund TVK furthermore, I am starting a large 'spring cleaning' this week : many catalogs will be auctioned through the german eBay. These are mostly xxx-rare catalogs for Sony ES, Yamaha, Marantz, Kenwood, Technics and others.

"Later on, the rest of the collection will go as well (yes - everything), along some hardware such as NOS spare V-FETs, a Denon TU-850, a CDP-X77ES and more.

"You'll find on TVK's home page a somewhat flashy banner which will take you to the detailed descriptions of what is presently available for sale, or, directly, here : http://www.thevintageknob.org/ebaysales/ebaysales-all.html

adjell33 · « **Reply #2407 on:** Apr 16, 2008 at 10:11 PM »

sir any comment for this amp. VICTOR M2020 power amp... thanks in advance

sandawa · « **Reply #2408 on:** Apr 17, 2008 at 07:10 AM »

Sorry, I have no experience with that power amp, never seen it here. Check the usual websites -- Hifido and Yahoo Japan -- for resale value.

jeremie · « **Reply #2409 on:** Apr 27, 2008 at 09:35 AM »

Hi Nelson,

PM sent.

Thanks.

allan1836 · « **Reply #2410 on:** Apr 27, 2008 at 04:42 PM »

Sir sandawa, what's your opinion of the Sansui AU-alpha607 ? Is it collectible and can it pass as a hi-end integrated amp? Also, what's the difference in sound quality between this original alpha607 and it various upgrades like 607i, 607imos, etc.
I recently got the orig. version alpha607 and I found it really good. Compared to my other integrated amps it's more refined though a bit slower in pace. But, boy, it sounds very clean and transparent and particularly best for vocals and classical music.

sandawa · « **Reply #2411 on:** Apr 27, 2008 at 07:53 PM »

In my opinion, any amp under the Sansui alpha series starting with the a607 is collectible since they don't appear in the used market often. I believe the first a607 was sold in the US at $1,200 and in the UK at 1,000 pounds, so, it's considered high-end amp in the US and Europe. However, if you look at it from the Japanese audio enthusiasts' point of view, the newer a607 series, specifically gold-faced a607s like what Terii bought from Hifido are the true collectibles, still selling at over $500 in Japan's used hifi market.

allan1836 · « **Reply #2412 on:** Apr 28, 2008 at 02:38 PM »

Sir sandawa, thanks for your inputs! I believe this au-a607 is the x701 equivalent in the US. May I also know if the alpha series amps used the Tamura transformers, which might be the reason for it's high price tag.
By the way, a friend has a gold colored Sansui alpha305 cd player. Is this also hi-end? Upon inspection, I found it to be quite ordinary and light when lifted. Thanks again for your insights.

sandawa · « **Reply #2413 on:** Apr 28, 2008 at 03:35 PM »

I read somewhere that some transformers in upscale units released later such as a907 series and the AU-X series, actually used new transformer technology (which could have been improved thru the years). It's possible the expensive a607s may also have those transformers inside.

My opinion is that any alpha series below 607 could be ordinary.

Just a tip for those hunting for good vintage amps, I have spotted an alpha 607L Extra (black):
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWa607L+Extra/G1/E/0-10/C07-33006-99883-00/

and a Marantz PM-80 (gold):
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KWPM-80/G1/E/0-10/C07-35136-11377-00/

from a Jap surplus dealer here. My latest acquisition, BTW, is a C-21 Pioneer preamp:

http://www.audioscope.net/pioneer-class-p-959.html?osCsid=aad0c5e22a7600c0f87483820d1487e8

Superman · « **Reply #2414 on:** Apr 28, 2008 at 04:26 PM »

I saw those too: (ACTUAL PICS)

eto pa, iba naman:

allan1836 · « **Reply #2415 on:** Apr 28, 2008 at 05:31 PM »

sir sandawa you got a pm.

terii · « **Reply #2416 on:** Apr 29, 2008 at 02:35 AM »

Quote from: sandawa on Apr 27, 2008 at 07:53 PM

In my opinion, any amp under the Sansui alpha series starting with the a607 is collectible since they don't appear in the used market often. I believe the first a607 was sold in the US at $1,200 and in the UK at 1,000 pounds, so, it's considered high-end amp in the US and Europe. However, if you look at it from the Japanese audio enthusiasts' point of view, the newer a607 series, specifically gold-faced a607s like what Terii bought from Hifido are the true collectibles, still selling at over $500 in Japan's used hifi market.

Here's historic sale of 607 MOS LIMITED in hifido:
sold date : 27/09/2000 price 99800 yen,23/11/2003 price 99800 yen,29/12/2006 price 95000 yen,01/11/2007 price 110000 yen,01/11/2007 price 110000 yen,17/01/2008 price 110000 yen,22/01/2008 price 110000 yen,
607 NRA2:
9/09/2000 price 65000 yen,07/01/2001 price 59800 yen,14/04/2004 price 59800 yen,02/01/2008 price 89800 yen
au 07 ANNIVERSARY:
06/10/2001 price 198000yen,22/01/2003 price 198000 yen,25/09/2003 price 238000 yen,28/11/2003 price 238000 yen,25/02/2004 price 238000 yen
the 607 mos limited, I've had this year, it now remains for me the NRA2 and o7 ANNIVERSARY those are the latest series produced in 1998/1999 before closing definitively sansui produce pure hi-fi audio equipment

sandawa · « **Reply #2417 on:** Apr 29, 2008 at 07:37 AM »

Yes. In the a607 series, the a607 Mos Limited is special and most expensive at over $1K current resale price. Only 1,000 units of this model was produced in late '90s.

parasmi · « **Reply #2418 on:** Apr 29, 2008 at 08:05 AM »

sent you PM, sir sandawa....baka sakali lang po meron

Quote from: sandawa on Apr 14, 2008 at 07:31 AM

Terii,

Thanks for those valuable information. Should you need small parts for your Japanese equipment that are unavailable there, just PM me. I may be able to find you some of those parts here. I've done that for a couple of Audio Karma members at no cost to them.

sandawa · « **Reply #2419 on:** Apr 29, 2008 at 02:35 PM »

I'll go around the usual sources this weekend. Actually, the easy to get parts here are knobs, belts, and pilot lamps -- which are comparatively expensive overseas. I've never sent out transistors yet but who knows? We may get lucky.

doasmarx · « **Reply #2420 on:** May 02, 2008 at 02:33 PM »

this thread made me interested with vintage solidstate amp. question lang po meron po bang matatagpuan pa na SANSUI G SERIES sa pier preferably g-7000 up. how much po kaya?

ProtegeManiac · « **Reply #2421 on:** May 02, 2008 at 04:22 PM »

anyone owns or knows anything about the Technics SE-A7? im not sure if mine can handle 4ohm speakers, anyone tested theirs with this impedance load? thanks.

sandawa · « **Reply #2422 on:** May 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM »

parasmi / allan1836,

Sent PMs to both of you regarding your inquiries.

pilyo168 · « **Reply #2423 on:** May 20, 2008 at 02:18 AM »

Pag hanap ninyo high power amplifier for low impedance subwoofers go to this link.

http://tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=734004

ATJr. · « **Reply #2424 on:** May 21, 2008 at 01:40 PM »

Quote from: pilyo168 on May 20, 2008 at 02:18 AM

Pag hanap ninyo high power amplifier for low impedance subwoofers go to this link.

http://tipidpc.com/viewitem.php?iid=734004

hey pilyo, mukhang big time ka na talaga....

i wish i had more time for vacation so i can see your creations....

ProtegeManiac · « **Reply #2425 on:** May 21, 2008 at 02:27 PM »

If anyone happens to come across a Technics SE-A7 please post it here, I need one for my set-up

Or if anyone here has one, PM me your price

pilyo168 · « **Reply #2426 on:** May 21, 2008 at 04:23 PM »

Quote from: TonyT on May 21, 2008 at 01:40 PM

hey pilyo, mukhang big time ka na talaga.... i wish i had more time for vacation so i can see your creations....

sobra ka naman. sa iyo lang naman ako inspired master Tony.

rnb_zounds · « **Reply #2427 on:** May 29, 2008 at 06:56 PM »

Somebody in ebay.ph is selling a Sansui au-a607L extra I think and starting 5,800. Yun lang mukhang malayo din.

http://cgi.ebay.ph/Sansui-Integrated-Amplifier-AU-CX607-Extra_W0QQitemZ260244525524QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3332QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

escy77 · « **Reply #2428 on:** Jun 04, 2008 at 01:46 PM »

Meron pa bo bang makikitang magagandang surplus amplifier sa pier ngayon At magkano na po naging lakaran ng presyo? Salamat!

rascal101 · « **Reply #2429 on:** Jun 05, 2008 at 01:00 PM »

Bisi bisita ka lang dun. Tiyak may susulpot din na maganda. Tagal na akong di bumibisita doon kaya baka nag-iba na iyung presyuhan dun. Dati rati mga 100Wpc high end amp nagkakahalaga ng 7k-8k.