Sansui Alpha 607XR - any owners ?

[darrelj]

How is the music quality of this stereo amplifier.? Sansui alpha 607 XR.  would there be anyone owning this amp.

Need to get first hand feedback before I purchase one.

 

Edited January 30, 2024 by darrelj

[Cloth Ears]

3 hours ago, darrelj said:

How is the music quality of this stereo amplifier.? Sansui alpha 607 MR.. would there be anyone owning this amp.

Need to get first hand feedback before I purchase one.

 

At the time, probably one of the best sounding amps in it's class. But I believe it's a Japan only model, so 100v and needing a step-up transformer. And as it's 30 years old, it may require some TLC - and not all the parts would still be available. If it's in really good condition...I saw one for sale pre-Covid for $1200, and I'd say it was a bargain.

[Cafad]

XR or MR?  Your post says one but the thread title says another.

 

In my opinion the 707MR is a hidden gem in amongst the Sansui amps.  They are all good but the 707MR stands out, and it won't break the bank like a 907 might.

[darrelj]

35 minutes ago, Cafad said:

XR or MR?  Your post says one

I always make these careless mistakes. Sorry. I never thought about the 707 models. Let me check them out. 

[Cloth Ears]

19 hours ago, Cafad said:

XR or MR?  Your post says one but the thread title says another.

 

In my opinion the 707MR is a hidden gem in amongst the Sansui amps.  They are all good but the 707MR stands out, and it won't break the bank like a 907 might.

 

19 hours ago, darrelj said:

I always make these careless mistakes. Sorry. I never thought about the 707 models. Let me check them out. 

Personally thought that the 607's were the equal of the 707's in any version, just a little less power. And much, much cheaper, for some reason.

[darrelj]

13 minutes ago, Cloth Ears said:

And much, much cheaper

 

Yes , I agree about the cost. I don't think I can afford for a 707

[Cafad]

Where are you planning on buying from?  

 

I see 2 707MR units on Yahoo right now and they are not expensive (both auctions, so I guess they could end up expensive, but they aren't yet).

[darrelj]

40 minutes ago, Cafad said:

Where are you planning on buying from?  

 

I see 2 707MR units on Yahoo right now and they are not expensive (both auctions, so I guess they could end up expensive, but they aren't yet).

 

We are visiting Japan in 3 months (long way to go). I thought I will pick one then - hifido said that I could even audition them subject to availability.  I am a bit confused with Yahoo via Aleado. Is the final bid price - the price  or is there some additions to that.

What price do you see on them now?. I see one for 750000 JPY and 4 hrs to go. Auction ID is s1120728531

[Cafad]

That 75,000 yen is a buy it now price (and a bit high IMO, although it is described as 'Beautiful goods" so it might be worth it).  

 

The other one is unlikely to go for more than 60,000 (just a guess) but you will have to bid for it if you want it.  And to do that you will have to have a way to get it to you, I use an auction broker (Zenmarket).

 

But if you are going to Japan then it is definitely a good idea to see if you can find one to demo first.  That will take a lot of the uncertainty out of the equation.

[lebowski]

I think the main difference between the 607 and 707 MR is the 707 has balanced inputs. I’m sure there’s probably a few other differences, maybe a bit more power?

I have listened to a 607 MR and thought it sounded very nice indeed. Open, detailed and smooth, absolutely dead quiet background. Build quality, fit and finish is excellent as well.

 

Shopping for vintage Sansui in Japan, could empty the wallet quickly with all the tasty gear they have for sale.

 

Good luck and enjoy.

[darrelj]

11 hours ago, Cafad said:

I use an auction broker (Zenmarket).

 

But if you are going to Japan then it is definitely a good idea to see if you can find one to demo first.  That will take a lot of the uncertainty out of the equation.

 

Thnaks for sharing this information about Zenmarket. I wil read the info on their website and see how it works. I belive the shipping cost is very high- almost equal to the price of the device, isn't it.

 

Listening before buying was my intention. Hopefully I would be lucky to find one (anything that's suitable). If its about the 20KG weight , I can carry it with my luggage as I am travelling with 2 more family members and would have enough space and weight. Not sure how Zenmarket charges on shipping if that is an option to ship it to here.

[darrelj]

27 minutes ago, lebowski said:

Shopping for vintage Sansui in Japan, could empty the wallet quickly

 

I too think so.  Thanks for the clarification on the 607 vs 707. I was looking at Rotels but they seem to be more expensive than the Sansui's

[Cafad]

10 hours ago, lebowski said:

I think the main difference between the 607 and 707 MR is the 707 has balanced inputs. I’m sure there’s probably a few other differences, maybe a bit more power?

I have listened to a 607 MR and thought it sounded very nice indeed. Open, detailed and smooth, absolutely dead quiet background. Build quality, fit and finish is excellent as well.

 

Shopping for vintage Sansui in Japan, could empty the wallet quickly with all the tasty gear they have for sale.

 

Good luck and enjoy.

It has certainly hammered my savings account balance.  But I did enjoy the journey!

 

The 707's do have balanced inputs, they also have twice the number of transistors per channel (vs the 607s) to go with the extra wattage and an improved preamp and phono stage.  They are a step up on the 607, but as to whether you need that step up (since the 607s are already very good themselves), well that is a question only you can answer.

[darrelj]

Thanks Cafad. At the moment I do have an ONKYO AVR and a Rotel RA- 611 . The Rotel is what i use for music. Super sound quality. Hoping that a sansui 607 MR would do better. 

[kbhuvi]

I have a Sansui Alpha 607XR  since 05 years.

It has a detailed but warmish sound that is non-fatiguing.

I am using digital sources with it. Soekris 1021 sounds very very good with this amp

I would like to caution you that it has glue issues on the power amp board.

On each of the boards there are two 470uf capacitors with glue issues (total of four).

I have had the trimmers also changed four per power amp board and two in the front (total 10 trimmers).

 

Regards

[darrelj]

1 hour ago, kbhuvi said:

On each of the boards there are two 470uf capacitors with glue issues (total of four).

I have had the trimmers also changed four per power amp board and two in the front (total 10 trimmers).

Thank you for this information. Are the issues costly to fix? I am not at all someone who has a clue about the elctronics and circuit boards et.  Anyway as a precuation I did check with a local vintage hifi tech and he said anything of that era can be fixed . So I am buying this from Japan on that assurance.

[kbhuvi]

No sir, I don't think the work required to be expensive.

 

The trimmers were replaced with bourns multiturn  ones. I don't exactly remember the values but from the top of my head there were four 500 ohms and six 100 ohms. I could be wrong though.

 

Removing the glue from the four 470uf caps (the caps were fine) would entail removing the power amp pcb with the output transistors attached. This would require heat sink paste to be reapplied on the transistors.

 

The power amp board also needed some solder corrections.

 

You could speak to your tech on these lines to get a fair idea about the cost involved.

 

Regards

 

 

[darrelj]

Thank you again Buwaneshwar. so where did you buy this from - India or online

[kbhuvi]

You are welcome.

I bought it from jauce auction posted as used but in working condition.

[darrelj]

How is the quality of music. What speakers are you using.

[pete_mac]

On 01/02/2024 at 10:31 PM, darrelj said:

Thanks Cafad. At the moment I do have an ONKYO AVR and a Rotel RA- 611 . The Rotel is what i use for music. Super sound quality. Hoping that a sansui 607 MR would do better. 

 

I would strongly suggest that it would!  I have a 240V 607MRX along with several other 607 models and they all sound lovely.

 

That said, if you prefer a thicker, warmer 'vintage' sound from the 70s, then the much cleaner sound of the alpha 607 amps may not be up your alley.

[kbhuvi]

19 minutes ago, darrelj said:

How is the quality of music. What speakers are you using.

Speakers are Xavian Giulietta

 

The amp sounds very euphonic with a 3D soundstage. Makes me want to listen more, you know, one more song before I shut down the system type addictive.

[darrelj]

I guess you had to ship this amp to India. How much did you pay for shipping. It is 18kg i think.

[kbhuvi]

Yes, I had it shipped to India. Shipping weight was around 20kgs. It was before COVID 19 and EMS to India was @24000 yen.

 

 

 

[darrelj]

What I am currently looking at is the Sansui alpha 607XR or MR model. I dont see your model (MRX) on yahoo japan.  Anyways, my isuue is I am not sure how to pick one which would be best restored. Are there any particular or key words that you looked in the post?  I see some mentiones as "beautiful" but then when i continue reading it indicates that some information contradicting the statemnt as "beautiful"

 

Edited February 13, 2024 by darrelj