if you where on the look out for a sansui amp.what models would be the best buy and the ones to avoid.
sansui amps
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matthewpiano
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- Nov 23, 2007
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The ones to avoid are the A-series amps (A40, A60, A80) and the R-series receivers. These were intended for rack systems and weren't up to the usual standard.
Look at amps like the AU3900, AU5900, AU7900, AU217, AU517, AU717, AU7500, and AU999 or anything from within those series.
Look at amps like the AU3900, AU5900, AU7900, AU217, AU517, AU717, AU7500, and AU999 or anything from within those series.
AU9900, AU10000 and AU20000 also very highly regarded.
What sort of budget do you have? Some of them still go for a fairly hefty price but you can pick up an AU 217 for under £50 but a mint AU717 went for £350 on ebay a couple of days back.
Are you fixed on Sansui or would you look at other vintage amps?
What sort of budget do you have? Some of them still go for a fairly hefty price but you can pick up an AU 217 for under £50 but a mint AU717 went for £350 on ebay a couple of days back.
Are you fixed on Sansui or would you look at other vintage amps?
this amp will be more of a project .so im looking at under the £100 mark tbh.my dad has a 101.and i have always liked the sound.
aversaurus:so would a au- 2200 be ok.and what would be the right price to pay for one ? thx.
The 2200 is only 10w per channel - unless you are on a really tight budget I think you could do better. AU 217 is 40w per channel and widely available for low prices.
Have a look at classic audio site.
The 2200 is only 10w per channel - unless you are on a really tight budget I think you could do better. AU 217 is 40w per channel and widely available for low prices.
Have a look at classic audio site.
matthewpiano
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aversaurus:so would a au- 2200 be ok.and what would be the right price to pay for one ? thx.
Its a lovely little amp. I grew up with one of these and they have a lovely warm and musical sound. Needs sensitive speakers as power output is only very low (a conservative rating of 10 wpc), but it is well worth the effort.
A really good one should cost no more than about £35.
Its a lovely little amp. I grew up with one of these and they have a lovely warm and musical sound. Needs sensitive speakers as power output is only very low (a conservative rating of 10 wpc), but it is well worth the effort.
A really good one should cost no more than about £35.
i was also looking at the e- bay one.but 10 watts is a bit low.i will have to keep a lookout for other models
I think the 101 also has a low power output - if you are looking for something similar the 2200 might be the ticket. MP's description sounds like what you are looking for. Will also depend on the sensitivity of the speakers you are matching up with.
The AU-217 Mk II is 40wpc, the original Mk I (although it doesn't bear that designation) is 30wpc and a fine sound it makes. Landed mine off Ebay, in near mint nick, fully serviced and delivered for £33 late last year and it's the easiest amp to listen to. My AU-717 is currently in for servicing, so that will have had some special TLC, but the 217 easily drives the Mission 752s (which are 89db sensitivity) to comfortably loud volume levels. No signs of strain unless it's really pushed.
The 717 has no such issues. I've turned that up briefly and the speakers don't come close to distorting. Wonderful amp, superlative build. THD is 0.0025%, which isn't bad, but nothing like the current likes of Cambridge's 840A (0.001%). Then again, there's a 33 year old amp doing the business in my system and it's doing it well. I got mine for £200, so that one has gone for £350 just shows how this brand might be coming on to more people's radars now. It's 85wpc by the bye and dual mono internal construction. Two huge power supplies and 4 x 15000 microvolt capacitors on show. Beefy!!
For your budget, the 217 is the minimum starting point for the n17 series range I think. There was the 117, but that's apparently no great shakes. The 717 has a newer model in the 919, released around 1979.
Sound-wise, expect good control, the kind of sound you can listen to for hours, plenty of power (they were conservatively rated IMO, a la NAD) and fine build. The 717 is handbuilt pretty much throughout. You just don't get that level of input nowadays (but technology does being other benefits over time of course).
I'm delighted with both of my amps, can't recommend the brand enough, except to say "caveat emptor" and watch out for the gear from the early 1980s onwards when quality slipped. Otherwise, you could do very well.
The 717 has no such issues. I've turned that up briefly and the speakers don't come close to distorting. Wonderful amp, superlative build. THD is 0.0025%, which isn't bad, but nothing like the current likes of Cambridge's 840A (0.001%). Then again, there's a 33 year old amp doing the business in my system and it's doing it well. I got mine for £200, so that one has gone for £350 just shows how this brand might be coming on to more people's radars now. It's 85wpc by the bye and dual mono internal construction. Two huge power supplies and 4 x 15000 microvolt capacitors on show. Beefy!!
For your budget, the 217 is the minimum starting point for the n17 series range I think. There was the 117, but that's apparently no great shakes. The 717 has a newer model in the 919, released around 1979.
Sound-wise, expect good control, the kind of sound you can listen to for hours, plenty of power (they were conservatively rated IMO, a la NAD) and fine build. The 717 is handbuilt pretty much throughout. You just don't get that level of input nowadays (but technology does being other benefits over time of course).
I'm delighted with both of my amps, can't recommend the brand enough, except to say "caveat emptor" and watch out for the gear from the early 1980s onwards when quality slipped. Otherwise, you could do very well.
That depends on:-
i) the work needing done
ii) the engineer carrying out the work for you
iii) the amp you're taking in
Expect to hand over circa £50 for a basic clean up to £100-£150 if you're recapping, or having serious internal component adjustments made. Some of the capacitors can cost a fortune, but bear in mind you may have an impact on the eventual sound.
Basic clean should be fine though and ask the engineer to keep an eye out for anything unusual during the service (the good ones will do).
i) the work needing done
ii) the engineer carrying out the work for you
iii) the amp you're taking in
Expect to hand over circa £50 for a basic clean up to £100-£150 if you're recapping, or having serious internal component adjustments made. Some of the capacitors can cost a fortune, but bear in mind you may have an impact on the eventual sound.
Basic clean should be fine though and ask the engineer to keep an eye out for anything unusual during the service (the good ones will do).
Never heard it, but there is a good Sansui website ont he web (think it is called "classicsansui") and you'll find some specs on there. I think the 555 is probably very decent, likely dates from around the early to mid-1970s and could be around the 35-50wpc range? Just guessing really.
i have been reading about sansui amps on this fourm.some members think that the sansui 217 sound is on the brighter side of things.what do the fourm members think?.also what is a good price for the au517?.
It's not a woolly sound, but the treble isn't so bright that it is sharp. Rather, it's balanced with the rest of the midrange and bottom end, but you can hear it. I've always said it has a very contemporary sound.
The 517 ought to be somewhere between £85 and £140 I think. Depends as the design is quite close the 717.
Just to let you know, I'm picking up my amp tomorrow, cost is £75 and that's for a lot of labour time and a few new capacitors. Hopefully it'll be working well now.
The 517 ought to be somewhere between £85 and £140 I think. Depends as the design is quite close the 717.
Just to let you know, I'm picking up my amp tomorrow, cost is £75 and that's for a lot of labour time and a few new capacitors. Hopefully it'll be working well now.
im following a few amps on ebay.when i get one i may need a good Engineer.where about is yours?.is the 717 twin a mono amp?.
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