Ahhh…the beautiful look of the late 70’s Sansui receivers. The warm golden glow from the dial and meter lights and the smorgasbord of buttons, knobs, and switches below. It’s a stereo lovers delight. The best Sansui I ever had was the G-8000. Here we have the Sansui G-9000. There was also a G-9000DB with only a minor difference that I’ll get into in a moment. The G-9000 put out a massive 160 watts per channel and it was one of the more popular choices for military men overseas in the 70’s. It retailed for around $1000.00 but was discounted at some of the miltary exchanges. It is known for good clean power and you’ll be hard pressed to find any G-9000 owner that does not love the unit.
Sansui built the G-9000, and many of their other receivers of the time, like a tank. It’s pretty big as well measuring 22.04 x 7.91 x 19.49 and weighing in at just under 60 pounds. Some of the features are:
- FET-Differential Amplifier without capacitive interface
- Preamplifier Inputs with FET
- Triplex Tone Control (Bass/Middle/Treble)
- Subsonic Filter
- 4 large Meters
- Pre-adjustment for Limiting Frequency
- Tape-to-Tape in both directions (1-2 / 2-1)
- IF Bandwidth Selector (Wide/Narrow)
As I mentioned above there was also a G-9000DB model. The picture above of the controls for the G-9000 show a Dolby FM De-Emphasis switch. The photo below of the G-9000DB shows a Dolby FM Decoder switch. So, what is the actual difference between the G-9000 and the G-9000DB? The G-9000DB had the Dolby circuitry while the G-9000 only had FM de-emphasis circuitry which is somewhat akin to a poor man’s Dolby. Keep in mind that the Dolby on both the receivers was for FM only so they are not much use today as FM is not broadcast using Dolby anymore. So, by today’s standards these two machines are essentially the same.
Wow, look at the heatsinks on the back of this unit. There is no questioning the build quality of the G-9000 receivers. I you find one that has channel problems of crackling output keep in mind that these receivers pots tend to get dirty over time and need cleaning. If turning the volume knob or other knobs or switches causes the output to break up or cut out then it probably needs cleaned. It’s a pretty easy fix and you could end up with a fantastic receiver for a budget price.
I should also mention that there is a G-901 model that is basically the G-9000 model with a gray faceplate that was most likely a European model. The G-9000 is highly sought after by collectors and will fetch very high prices depending upon condition. The DB model tends to sell for a little bit more but as I mentioned the Dolby doesn’t make much difference these days. The G-901 is harder to find and will sell for a premium as well.
I love my g9000. Can I clean it myself with forced air?
I blew out my G7000 with compressed air. I was just careful not to use too much pressure. I also shot some DeOxit into the potentiometers to clean them up which made a BIG difference.
The Sansui G-9000 as well as the entire “G” series that Sansui produced during the late 1970’s all perform very well and are a thing of beauty.
It should be mentioned after 35 years of use or sitting these units should be recapped. The capacitors will swell up and self destruct and need to be replaced. A recap, cleaning of the switches and pots will go a long way
to keep these receivers operating for many more years. I love my G901, it looks and sounds great. I hope to die listening to it.
I bought my G9000DB Sansui receiver in Germany Aug 1978 and it still plays and looks great. I do not use all the time but have it hooked up to my turn tables and cassette player
I need help cleaning the pots
I have a G-9000 Afew weeks ago the left speaker started going out after it was playing for about an hour.Iwould turn it off then back on speaker would come on.Its got worse now it plays for a couple minuets and goes out.I unhooked my speakers turned on receiver and watched the watt meters after about a few minuets left meter would go to zero and if I turn the volume knob in both directions real fast the watt meter kicks back on.So it seems to me its in the volume pot I live in Kentucky I called a few places for possible cleaning no one around this area wants to touch it. probably a good thing hoping someone here can help
Deoxit it !!! I just finished cleaning my G-9000 following all the advices below:
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207005
Sansuey is the greatest amp in the world.
i love sansuey amp but i have it not bay now .. in my openion sansuey is the best amp .
Dave, you described exactly the same thing I have on my Sansui G-9000, did you get it fixed using deo it. 1-21-2017
I To have a Sansui G-9000 and Yes, Best sounding Reciever out there… I also have 2 Sansui G-7700, I Will NEVER Sell Them…!!!
I have the g-9000 receiver but I have 2 channels blown and can’t find the original parts…any suggestions?
Depends on which parts you need. If you’re still trying to diagnose the problem I would start HERE at the AudioKarma Sansui forum. They might be able to help. They might know where to get the correct parts as well. There are usually parts on eBay if you know what you need already. Definite;y worth fixing as there have been a few sales over $1500 recently. One as high as $1750.
Take it in and recap and they will put new finals in cost around 500 I had mine done it’s A1 now works great had recapped 1 year and half. Love it’s sound. G9000
I have a G 9000db. Please, do you where could I bought a original volume potentiometer? Thank you
Need someone to work on g 9000 sansui receivers
I need a tape switch for a g9000db. anyone have any suggestions Paul
Hi Rob, may I ask u why u need the volume control? It can be disassembled for cleaning and/or repair. Most of times, these controls have poor contact between carbon trace and the metallic pins, and can be fixed with conductive silver ink.
I want to sell my is still working beautifully. Is in Portugal . Best bid
Hi everyone I am new to this sight but I had to tell the story about how I obtain my Sansui G 9000db receiver for 10;99 + 6 percent KY state tax =11,65 cents grand total . I knew it was very special because it’s weight and all the v u meter’s , lights and the over all size. The receiver seems to be in mint condition? Sounds Amazing and The pure power . I love my receiver . Happy Good Will shopping .
Hi I have a sansui pure power DC 9001stereo reciever for sale 1000,00 works 4087628260 thank keith
Help! I need the Volume knob for my G8000…are all the G series using the same knob?
Any available??
I bought my G-9000DB in Japan in 1979. Packed and used around the world and back but only now needs volume cleaning. I still love it!!
My Sansei G9000DB has a tuner problem. The fins were accidentally sprayed with Deoxit and this had affected
it . can the tuner fins be cleaned?
Yes you can use CRC contact cleaner to get the deoxit residue off the tuner fins. The lubricant in deoxit changes the capacitance of the fins and messes up the tuner. Spray the crc on the fins and wait half hour.
i have a g9000 avail. it’s listed on ebay. currently the only one on there… socalstyles
I bought my Sansui G-9000 in 1980 in Germany , the last time I ever turn this on was in 1988 and it sat in my closet and basement since now being 2024 . Would it be safe to plug it in ?? I did find a DIY breaker to build to plug into if anything happen . I still have it sitting in the basement still and have no time to plug it in yet would it be safe to fire it up or are the wires and bulbs no good . ??