RR--
Active Member
So I finally got around to recapping my Sansui AU-4400 with the parts I bought when recapping my 8080 a few months back.
I also replaced the four 2SA726W transistors with KSA992FBU transistors in the same orientation, the bias trim pots with Bourns 1Kohms 10% 0.5Watts Square 3386P-1-102LF Trimmer Resistors and repainted the black metal case a while back with extra care to mask out the original import stickers.
This is from 1975 and has 20wpc, it's the upgraded version of the Sansui AU-2200 and as far as I know it's the only Silverfaced Stereo Integrated Sansui made in the 70's. (Someone will prove me wrong I'm sure)
Below is a cap list in case anyone need it, I haven't found one online before doing this. All values were kept the same except for the 1uf 50v capacitors which were replaced with 1uf 63v WIMA film capacitors, the two 1500uf 50v coupling capacitors were replaced with 2200uf 50v capacitors and the 2200uf 63v main output capacitor was replaced with a 4700uf 63v capacitor, as the lead spacing was different I used a bit of automotive silicone to hold it in place. (aka Sansui glue 2.0)
Nichicon Gold Tunes and Wima film capacitors were used in most instances but various left over caps from previous project were also used.
This is a model sold in Australia with a AUS style power plug although with US style inputs on the back, as well as the worst speaker binding posts in existence.
Interestingly there are no cutouts for more advanced models that use the same style of faceplate.
Liberal amounts of good 'ol Sansui glue was used here, surprisingly this is the only capacitor to have any in the amp.
The buttons covers needed to be removed in order to thread through the front chassis plate, unfortunately a few broke in the process.
After photos
Conclusion: To be honest the differences in sound quality are very minimal, the amp had some occasional scratching/static but that was likely due to either the transistors or just dirty pots which were cleaned. The bass seems to be a bit more extended but the brightness of the amp unfortunately didn't change, I use it at -2 on the treble to negate this which sounds more or less flat.
It sounds very very similar in sound signature and warmth to my 8080 but with less detail in the sound stage, less extended deep bass and less control when playing loud. It's also a little bit fatiguing where I can listen to my 8080 all day long without any issues.
That being said this isn't a bad amp at all, it has a very full and balanced sound and with my Monitor Audio RX1 speakers it matches very well imo,
It's a daily driver in my second system and plays plenty loud enough especially for 20wpc, so well that I'm tempted to buy some old Monitor Audio's to pair with it full time.
Thanks to everyone in the previous threads for parts recommendations and all around general advice!
AU4400 Cap List
Driver board
2200uf 63v
1500uf 50v
1500uf 50v
10uf 50v
10uf 50v
.47uf 50v
.47uf 50v
47uf 50v
47uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
33uf 50v
33uf 50v
100uf 80v
47uf 80v
Control board
3.3uf 50v
3.3uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
33uf 10v
33uf 10v
1.5uf 50v
1.5uf 50v
10uf 25v
220uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
100uf 6.3v
100uf 6.3v
I also replaced the four 2SA726W transistors with KSA992FBU transistors in the same orientation, the bias trim pots with Bourns 1Kohms 10% 0.5Watts Square 3386P-1-102LF Trimmer Resistors and repainted the black metal case a while back with extra care to mask out the original import stickers.
This is from 1975 and has 20wpc, it's the upgraded version of the Sansui AU-2200 and as far as I know it's the only Silverfaced Stereo Integrated Sansui made in the 70's. (Someone will prove me wrong I'm sure)
Below is a cap list in case anyone need it, I haven't found one online before doing this. All values were kept the same except for the 1uf 50v capacitors which were replaced with 1uf 63v WIMA film capacitors, the two 1500uf 50v coupling capacitors were replaced with 2200uf 50v capacitors and the 2200uf 63v main output capacitor was replaced with a 4700uf 63v capacitor, as the lead spacing was different I used a bit of automotive silicone to hold it in place. (aka Sansui glue 2.0)
Nichicon Gold Tunes and Wima film capacitors were used in most instances but various left over caps from previous project were also used.
This is a model sold in Australia with a AUS style power plug although with US style inputs on the back, as well as the worst speaker binding posts in existence.
Interestingly there are no cutouts for more advanced models that use the same style of faceplate.
Liberal amounts of good 'ol Sansui glue was used here, surprisingly this is the only capacitor to have any in the amp.
The buttons covers needed to be removed in order to thread through the front chassis plate, unfortunately a few broke in the process.
After photos
Conclusion: To be honest the differences in sound quality are very minimal, the amp had some occasional scratching/static but that was likely due to either the transistors or just dirty pots which were cleaned. The bass seems to be a bit more extended but the brightness of the amp unfortunately didn't change, I use it at -2 on the treble to negate this which sounds more or less flat.
It sounds very very similar in sound signature and warmth to my 8080 but with less detail in the sound stage, less extended deep bass and less control when playing loud. It's also a little bit fatiguing where I can listen to my 8080 all day long without any issues.
That being said this isn't a bad amp at all, it has a very full and balanced sound and with my Monitor Audio RX1 speakers it matches very well imo,
It's a daily driver in my second system and plays plenty loud enough especially for 20wpc, so well that I'm tempted to buy some old Monitor Audio's to pair with it full time.
Thanks to everyone in the previous threads for parts recommendations and all around general advice!
AU4400 Cap List
Driver board
2200uf 63v
1500uf 50v
1500uf 50v
10uf 50v
10uf 50v
.47uf 50v
.47uf 50v
47uf 50v
47uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
33uf 50v
33uf 50v
100uf 80v
47uf 80v
Control board
3.3uf 50v
3.3uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
1uf 50v
33uf 10v
33uf 10v
1.5uf 50v
1.5uf 50v
10uf 25v
220uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
100uf 50v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
10uf 25v
100uf 6.3v
100uf 6.3v