au-8500 build years/qty

destiny76

New Member
Hi,

I'm quite new here. I own the au-555A, au-999 and today I bought a au-8500. Now I'm reading this au-8500 is very rare. But how rare? Just because of curiosity.
Is it only build in 1974? My serial number is 214100486 So its assembled on productionline #21; year 1974 #4; october #10; serial number #0486
On Pictures I find on the internet its only produced on productionline #21 In the year 1974. And never seen a serial number higher than #0581

So that means there might only be 581 * 12 = 6972 items produced?

Ik know there are only a few models photographed on the internet. Anyone who can tell anything about this?

Maybe that here are 8500 owners who can confirm this range?
Might be more rare than I assumed earlier.
 
My understanding is the AU-8500 was built between 1974 and 1976. I bought mine from a huge Sansui collector who said the 8500 was rare compared to the TOTL AU-9500. How rare, I do not know.

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
 
hmmmm ... interesting. Mine is line #21 year 74 and serial 0135 so seems to confirm your theory.

It would be interesting to hear from other owners ...
 
Hi,

I'm quite new here. I own the au-555A, au-999 and today I bought a au-8500. Now I'm reading this au-8500 is very rare. But how rare? Just because of curiosity.
Is it only build in 1974? My serial number is 214100486 So its assembled on productionline #21; year 1974 #4; october #10; serial number #0486
On Pictures I find on the internet its only produced on productionline #21 In the year 1974. And never seen a serial number higher than #0581

I only know your amp was product in October 1974.
21 (forget it), 4=1974, 10=October, and the rest... 0486
:p:
 
Hi,

I'm quite new here. I own the au-555A, au-999 and today I bought a au-8500. Now I'm reading this au-8500 is very rare. But how rare? Just because of curiosity.
Is it only build in 1974? My serial number is 214100486 So its assembled on productionline #21; year 1974 #4; october #10; serial number #0486
On Pictures I find on the internet its only produced on productionline #21 In the year 1974. And never seen a serial number higher than #0581

So that means there might only be 581 * 12 = 6972 items produced?

Ik know there are only a few models photographed on the internet. Anyone who can tell anything about this?

Maybe that here are 8500 owners who can confirm this range?
Might be more rare than I assumed earlier.
My AU-8500 ($20.50 thirft store score) serial No. is SN 215020251, so it looks like it is unit No. 251 produced in Feb. 1975.
 
I came across this thread the other day when searching for information on one of these amps. I added the two serial numbers posted here to the database which brings the total number on file to 6 units. They are all built on assembly line 21 between September '74 and February '75. That's a very short production run

It's a fairly rare amp that was probably overshadowed by the much more popular AU-9500. It's likely there wasn't much of a price difference between the two models and most folks opted for the TOTL 9500 rather than the second fiddle 8500. That's not to detract anything from the 8500 it's a fantastically overbuilt amp. A piece of art really.

You can check out the details in the latest database report. You can access the report by clicking on the link in my signature block below. The link is in the first post in that thread.

- Pete
 
I see the 6500, 7500 and 9500 come up all the time on JP auctions, very rarely see the 8500 come up. Have always wanted to hear one. Not sure if the circuit topology is closer to the 7500, or is closer to the 9500.....
 
I just picked one up today but it had no cover :eek: It will be almost impossible to find one. I think my only option is to have one built. Do you know where I can get the specs of the cover. Tks
 
I don't know for sure, but it's a good bet the cover from an AU-9500 will fit. Even the cover on these things are overbuilt. It's heavy gauge steel and if memory serves, reinforced. You could probably get a sheet metal shop to bend one based on the dimensions of the amp. You might also consider getting a woodworker to make a nice wood case for it.

- Pete
 
Mine had a wood case in it when I got it from the original owner. I feel it really dresses it up. Without it it just seems like so much steel exposed because of the massive size of cabinet. 4ECE3DDA-7F1C-4956-AEF4-A29402901B9A.jpeg
 
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