Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
The Sansui G-9700 is the best piece of audio equipment I have ever owned. I have owned Conrad Johnson, Sonic Frontiers, Adcom, Sumo, GAS, Kenwood, Marantz, Pioneer, Audio Research, and many varieties of tube amps. I have the G-9700 paired with Bose 901 V's and its nirvana. I owned some good speakers too. For example: Dyanaudio contour 1, Paradigm Studio 20's, JBL L-100's, HPM-100, Dynaco A-25(still have these), Dynaco A-50, Klipsch Kg-4, and Klipsch Cornwall's. The G-9700 SOUNDS wonderful with vinyl, digital, and with anything else you put in it. My Grado SR-80 headphones prove to me the quality of pre-amp. The consertative 200 watts/channel takes care of the rest. If one was to look into the guts of this receiver, it would become apprent that it would cost thousands of dollars to produce a product like this today.

Price Paid:  $405.00 from EBay

Summary:
I bought this monster on Ebay, and had it cleaned and serviced at a reliable tech shop. I find the power is great, but I question the claim of .001 % distortion. I find that when the tone controls are set to ON, that the sound is somewhat distorted, compared to my G7500 receiver. This clears up to a great degree when the tone controls are switched off. However, the sound is still somewhat not as clear as the G7500. The G7500 is only rated to 90 Watts, whereas the G9700 is rated to 300 Watts. Could I have a problem with the power cord or the electrical circuit in the house that the receiver is plugged into? I read about different power supplies and cords offered by different highend audio companies. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Or should I bring the reciever to a different tech and get it adjusted in some way.

Strengths:
Absolutely gorgeous display. Massive, looks as good as it is POWERFUL. Boys need toys, and this is the Harley Davidson of two channel stereo receivers. It has the same power as the B 5000 amp, with no fan noise. It is great to own just to look at and smile at.

Weaknesses:
So powerful it is hard to know how to properly set it up concearning plug-in current, and difficult to compare to performance-wise. Merciless to people who are careless with speakers that are insufficiently rated.

Similar Products Used:
G550, G6700, G7500, Sansui Z-9000X, Yamaha R 1000

Price Paid:  $350.00 from private indavidual

Summary:
I have owned this receiver scince 1986, and all I can say is, TIMELESS! This piece of equipment has a combination of power, clarity, headroom, and great looks, that is very hard to beat. This one rates right up there with some of todays finest, even after 16 years of service.

Strengths:
high power output, easily accessible side mount ins and outs, excellent routing, 3 band EQ

Weaknesses:
heavy, pots tend to get dirty easily

Similar Products Used:
Marantz, Harman/Kardon, Pioneer, Onkyo

Price Paid:  $180.00 from Pawn Shop (very lucky find)

Summary:
This reciever is only 200Wts/Chan in four channel mode. When it's on two channel mode it kicks out 300Wts/chan. w/ a 600Wts/chan peak. This is explained by the 8 75Watt power mosfet transistors mounted to the back of the reciever (which is entirely heat sink). There are 2 more transistors that are in use when in 4 channel mode. It's interesting how this reciever can be hooked up to a set of 8 18" woofer concert speakers on 2 channel mode and be able to light up the overload lights on ALL of them with only .001%Thd and it's still not be at full volume.
If there is a more powerful reciever out there, email me.
If you find a G-9700, buy it. If it doesn't work, get it fixed. If the tech can't fix it, consult an electrical engineer to change the origional circuitry so it can be fixed. These will be worth unbelievable amounts of money some day.

Strengths:
I think it may be the most powerful common home stereo reciever ever made.

Weaknesses:
It's huge. Big power draw. Too many people want to steal it.

Similar Products Used:
Some other Sansui G series. An older Marantz.

Price Paid:  $500.00

Summary:
The G9700 receiver from Sansui is not only the largest piece
of audio equipment I own, it has totally awesome power at 200 watts/channel with very little distortion. The G9700
has massive dual d/c power supplies to deliver clean crisp
highs as well as deep bone vibrating bass. I have yet to
find a better receiver anywhere.