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Just bought my first Sansui (AU-517)

Dynamic

New Member
Hello Sansui lovers:beerchug:

(My first post on this forum be gentle please :D)

My first Sansui is going to arrive tomorrow I hope that sounds sweeter than my Sony TA-F540E. In fact I have never heard a Sansui but always have read that they sound on warm and sweet side. Should I expect a great improvement over my previous amplifier regarding those aspects? thanks guys


Cheers

Dynamic
 
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Welcome to AK, we are all friendly around here........:yes:

Not a bad amp at all to cut your teeth in Sansui world.......it will blow the Sony out of the water!!

It wont be long before you want more.......:D

and thats when it starts, the list of gear in your signature starts getting longer..........

Let us know how she sounds.....
 
Welcome to AK, we are all friendly around here........:yes:

Not a bad amp at all to cut your teeth in Sansui world.......it will blow the Sony out of the water!!

It wont be long before you want more.......:D

and thats when it starts, the list of gear in your signature starts getting longer..........

Let us know how she sounds.....



Hi kevzep, thanks for your welcome:)


Glad to know the AU-517 is a good start, I'm anxious to receive mine, can't wait :banana:

By the way, "she"? why "she"? :D
 
Welcome to AK. Make sure you post some pictures of your baby when you get it. We all pray that it will arrive in one piece for you!
 
Welcome.
The AU-517 is a Great Amp (yes SHE is), I love mine a lot!
(my avatar shows a part of the inside of this amp).
I hope it will arrive in good condition.
Keep us informed.

-John-
 
I understand the waiting game. I have a tu/au 717 combo that is sitting under my desk at work. I have to wait until my anneversary before I can bring them home and hook them up. Come on June 22!
 
Welcome.
The AU-517 is a Great Amp (yes SHE is), I love mine a lot!
(my avatar shows a part of the inside of this amp).
I hope it will arrive in good condition.
Keep us informed.

-John-

JD - please tell me that picture, your avatar, is out of date because I see original caps there :nono:

You have re-capped it haven't you ? :yes:
 
Indeed, the '517 is a fantastic amp - I think quite under-rated by some. Mine has just been re-capped by my good friend Hyperion, and I am as happy as pigs in the proverbial with the result!

As Kev says, it's difficult to stop once you start... I keep telling myself that this or that amp will be the last one, and then I see something shiny looking at me (re: Pioneer SA-9800 (up on blocks at the moment) and the whole blooming process starts again. :yes:

That said, if the only amp in my house was the AU-517, I would still be a very happy man indeed!

:bash:

Dan
 
JD - please tell me that picture, your avatar, is out of date because I see original caps there :nono:

You have re-capped it haven't you ? :yes:


I dare not comment on this as I think you will not like my answer. Actually I probably won't like it either.
What I can say is that I do have a (very long) list of "things to do if I find time or money" :D
On the good side, no corrosion due to glue going on in this amp -yet- (at least last time I looked inside).
And another good side: This amp is driving a pair of Gale GS401's ! (probably an extra reason to take good care of the amp..:scratch2:)

Hope I am not off topic here. Still talking AU-517 and how to take care of it.

-John-
 
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Hello Sansui lovers:beerchug: (My first post on this forum be gentle please :D) My first Sansui is going to arrive tomorrow I hope that sounds sweeter than my Sony TA-F540E. In fact I have never heard a Sansui but always have read that they sound on warm and sweet side. Should I expect a great improvement over my previous amplifier regarding those aspects? thanks guys Cheers Dynamic

You will be amazed at the difference in sound quality, especially the 'depth' and 'punch' of the Sansui amp over the Sony. I don't know what year your Sony was made but the mid to late 80s Sony did make some nice solid amps. But the Sansui 'will blow it out of the water' as previously stated. :>)

Congrads on your amp!

Good luck and welcolme to Sansui AK! :thmbsp:
 
My Sansui AU-517 doesn't show any sign of corrosion either and has the original caps. It sounds as it was in its first day. I still keep the handlers in original packing, replacement fuses and service manual.
Jorge.
 
..AU 517 was the first 'sui I've ever listened to , it was in the late 70's , at this time i've got a mighty Telefunken receiver , the TR 1200 - anyway , a friend of mine got his new AU 517 and I just could'nt believe that this Amp was Sounding so much better than my beloved Telefunken....

.. Enjoy..!
 
Hi folks thank you for your warm welcome. Happy to see the AudioKarma is a friendly place, I really love and appreciate that :beerchug:

Well, "she" (the au-517 :D) arrived yesterday almost safe and sound. The guys from the parcel force weren't careful with amplifier's package and the plug got slightly damaged . But no problem I got that sorted out by myself.

I was very lucky on my purshase, the amplifier is near mint condition. I didn't look inside yet because the amp is under warranty and it is sealed. After the warranty expire (in 3 months time) I'll look inside and take some pics.

About the sound, the Sansui AU-517 really blew the Sony TA-F540E out of the water :D. The Sansui is a much more powerfull, transparent, dynamic, neutral and refined amplifier than the Sony. The only "dowside" is that the sound of the Sony seems richer than the Sansui...


mysansuiau517.jpg



mysansuiau517.jpg
 
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What do you mean richest ?? I haven't hear any Sony amplifier in my complete life that be close to the sound those old Sansui have.
Jorge.
 
Congratulations, your amp looks great :thmbsp:

If with "richeness" you mean more "bass" at lower volumes, just use the tone controls or the loudness switch. I sometimes use these at low volume. At higher volumes there is absolutely no need for that.
It all depends on the speakers used, characteristics of the inputsignal and personall preferences I think. And a "tight" and well defined bass can be mistaken for "not much bass" if you are not used to it.

-John-
 
:)DVjorge, I think you are right about your observation because the Sansui now sounds richer than the Sony. When I wrote my first impressions about the sound of Sansui Au-517 it was connected only for 5 minutes but now it really sounds richer (warmer?) than the Sony. The Sansui now sounds like a valve amplifier and correspond to what I have read about Sansui sound "warm and sweet. I'm very happy now :music:


Thanks jd-audio, yeah the unit is in great cosmetic condition. as I described above the amp now sounds very rich and I don't need to use the tone controls. My wife says the amplifier looks like a big box but who cares, it sounds so good :yippy:
 
My wife says the amplifier looks like a big box but who cares, it sounds so good

Best order to start a family is [1] first choose your Sansui and [2] then look for a wife. Most of us learned this the hard way I think.

I also notice that you got the right attitude towards this problem.
Now start thinking on how to get your wife to agree on a complete stack of Sansui's in an original Sansui rack.


-John-
 
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