Question Notched Volume Knobs on Amps like the Sansui AU-217 II

[peachesandbacon]

When I was growing up, my Dad used to have this great punchy little Sansui amp in the living room, I believe it was a Sansui AU-217 II, or one of the very similar models.

Anyway, it had this rather wonderful "feeling" volume knob that was slightly notched, meaning it would almost click slightly when you turned it.

As an adult myself now, I'm looking to pickup a new amplifier, and I was wondering if any manufacturers make volume knobs like this anymore?

Are there any brands that make them like this still? Or is this a thing of the past?

If anyone knows of any modern or vintage amps that are easy to get hold of that feature volume knobs like this, I'd be interested to hear.

Thanks for entertaining my nostalgia.

 

[aversaurus]

Hi I'm a massive fan of sansui .all of there models are readily available on eBay .I have owned the 217 in the past and there almost bullet proof .
If your looking at getting a sansui and need any advice let me know

 

[peachesandbacon]

Hi I'm a massive fan of sansui .all of there models are readily available on eBay .I have owned the 217 in the past and there almost bullet proof .
If your looking at getting a sansui and need any advice let me know

Thanks, I was more questioning the availability or design of the style of volume knob that amp had. Can you confirm if other amps used it or if some brands still use that style of knob?

 

[Al ears]

That style of volume control went out when remote control came in.
you would probably need to look for an amp without a remote to get similar, and yes my old Marantz had it

 

[aversaurus]

The sansui 117 217 317 417 515 717 all had the volume knobs your after .

 

[nopiano]

I think you might need to find a few dealers who will let you fiddle with their knobs! I don’t recall ever seeing it in a spec sheet.

My Primare volume knob has that slight ident feel, yet it is the modern digital type which gives a readout up to 99. I think the Sansui was a regular potentiometer with the notches to make it feel like the far more expensive designs which had a discrete circuit for each step, of ten calibrate in dB..

 

[peachesandbacon]

Just thought of that opening scene in Back to the Future, when he cranks up the volume knob that clicks too!

 

[peachesandbacon]

I think you might need to find a few dealers who will let you fiddle with their knobs! I don’t recall ever seeing it in a spec sheet.

My Primare volume knob has that slight ident feel, yet it is the modern digital type which gives a readout up to 99. I think the Sansui was a regular potentiometer with the notches to make it feel like the far more expensive designs which had a discrete circuit for each step, of ten calibrate in dB..

Can i ask what Primare model you have?

 

[nopiano]

Can i ask what Primare model you have?

The I32, it’s in my signature. It has been superseded by the I35. I’m not sure how different the volume control feel is, but the control knob is now on the right. On mine it’s on the left! I’m guessing it was swapped with the source selector for signal path reasons.

 

[Tinman1952]

I think you might need to find a few dealers who will let you fiddle with their knobs!

😂 remember to close the blinds…..
Try a Schiit Saga preamp….that clicks like crazy when you turn the volume knob!

 

[plastic penguin]

My old Pioneer SA-706 had a notched volume control, as well as the bass and treble tone controls.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0saSh-Ge3U

As @Al ears suggested this was mostly relevant with manual control models.

 

[gasolin]

Sabaj A20A

 

[Deliriumbassist]

Judging by this review, this particular Marantz does not have the indents on the volume control, but does so on the input selector.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm2eaKWm0hw

 

[Al ears]

Judging by this review, this particular Marantz does not have the indents on the volume control, but does so on the input selector.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm2eaKWm0hw

If be concerned if it didn't....

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

'Knob feel review'? That's a single entendre if ever I heard one...

 

[peachesandbacon]

Judging by this review, this particular Marantz does not have the indents on the volume control, but does so on the input selector.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm2eaKWm0hw

This is brilliant!

Knob feel is bloody everything!

Why more reviewers don't mention it is beyond me.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

This is brilliant!

Knob feel is bloody everything!

Why more reviewers don't mention it is beyond me.

It's the only review worth listening to.

"Mmmmmm..."

"Ehhhhhhh..."

"OoooOOOOOHHHHH!!!"