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1979 Sansui Au-717 / TU-717

punchycool

punchycool

Member
Sometimes life throws a hardball and you must catch it. I need some advice, folks. I just purchased this beautiful pair. While I can’t say for certain it is in perfect working order, the seller is very knowledgeable and claims it was completely tuned up late last year and all sections work. So I made a good deal and bought it.

I inherited my father’s set of 1978 Teledyne Acoustic Research AR9 speakers that have already been tuned up. In ‘78, my father brought these home since he was an audio rep at the time. A Marantz 2325 drove them at first he tells me but In Mid-‘79 he brought this Sansui pair home since he rep’d for them, too. It sounded amazing let me tell you and lasted for years in his living room. Time passed and the Sansui gear was lost during a move.

Fast forward to today. I just brought the speakers home and found the same Sansui gear online - a matched set - and simply had to have it! So I pulled the trigger just now.

At 4 ohm impedance, the AR9s should draw more than the 85 conservative WPC from this amp. Any idea what figure this amp will likely push? Just curious.

Lastly, I’ve got a lot to learn but are there any serious gotchas I need to be aware of when I receive this new-to-me Sansui gear? Yes, I could have researched here before asking but cut me a break if you would be so kind;). My research starts now and any contributions appreciated. Perhaps there is better gear for these superb AR9s, but right now I’m on cloud nine and can only say…my Dad knew his stuff back then so regardless of others’ opinions, this gear is fantastic and more than capable for my little audiophile world. My Dad will be beaming when he finds out ;) !

1979 Sansui Au-717 / TU-717
Integrated amp / tuner

-Paul
 
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punchycool said:
.... I just purchased this beautiful pair. While I can’t say for certain it is in perfect working order, the seller is very knowledgeable and claims it was completely tuned up late last year and all sections work.

At 4 ohm impedance, the AR9s should draw more than the 85 conservative WPC from this amp. Any idea what figure this amp will likely push? Just curious.

I’ve got a lot to learn but are there any serious gotchas I need to be aware of when I receive this new-to-me Sansui gear? Yes, I could have researched here before asking but cut me a break if you would be so kind;).
Click to expand...

First of all congrats on your new to you Sansui, I owned one for quite awhile and I can say it was quite the beast and sounded good to great with various different speakers.

One thing that vintage Sansui's are known for is the dreaded "Sansui Glue"

Here's a very detailed and respected thread on a restoration that also address's the glue

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...estoration-upgrade-of-a-sansui-au-717.641945/
 
Welcome to AK BTW!



If running the AR's do it alone.....

Only, yes them being driven!

At 4ohm you wanna be smart!

Congrats!
 
I saw the glue thing in a google search and feel good that the seller removed this and found no components out of whack during the tuneup. Nonetheless thx for the link. I’ll be looking for this with fingers crossed.
 
Yes my plan is only to ever drive these AR9s with this Sansui gear. No other speakers will ever be added. And no, this setup will never see a tv. As an audiophile myself, it’ll be used standalone for music only through these two speakers.
 
punchycool said:
I saw the glue thing in a google search and feel good that the seller removed this and found no components out of whack during the tuneup. Nonetheless thx for the link. I’ll be looking for this with fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

Unless it’s been re-capped the glue is still there. The capacitors need to be removed from the boards to eliminate the glue.
 
I'll leave the technical advice to those who know much more than I, but I just wanted to say how heartwarming I found your wonderful story of a son rediscovering and paying homage to something his father enjoyed so much. Fully justified purchase decisions on the emotional reward! Best wishes for the technical side and many more happy links with your Dad and your youth! Enjoy the music and the connections. (Great AU/TU pair, too!)
Cheers, Rob
 
Thanks, Rob! This means a lot. While I don’t yet have the new gear, I cranked up the AR9s with a buddy’s Marantz 2325 last night to put them through some tests. These speakers evoke memories of my past and remind me of middle school when my father brought them home. We enjoyed them for about 17 years. They sound absolutely amazing to say the least. My father is proud I own these speakers , but wait till he sees the new gear.
 
I have a Sansui AU-4900 amp making very nice sounds through a pair of AR15 speakers, with a Dual 1219 and Marantz CD63SE as sources.
So I'm quite a few rungs below your forthcoming setup in both Sansui and AR terms, but nonetheless I find it very enjoyable. I think you'll have a wonderful late 70s setup - looking forward to reading further updates on this story.
 
percivilla said:
Unless it’s been re-capped the glue is still there. The capacitors need to be removed from the boards to eliminate the glue.
Click to expand...

I do not know the extent of the restoration, but hear it included replacement of some of the capacitors and board solder joints but trust the seller and Reverb. All sections apparently work well, all functions operate correctly, the volume knob is clean, and no noise through the speakers through any source and channel. Either way, an emotional purchase so am prepared for further repairs, if needed.

Anyone know the approx cost range to fully repair an AU-717 amp if the future demands it?

And may I assume the glue issue shouldn’t affect the TU-717 tuner?
 
Here are some photos of my 1978 AR9s after a careful cleaning. They look spiffy. The sound just moves through you if you’re anywhere near them.

Blessed,
-Paul
 

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And here is my 1979 amp and tuner that is in the mail so folks can see what it looks like.
 

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Here is the initial setup the other night with my friend’s Marantz 2325 since I don’t yet have a receiver. His jaw dropped when he heard them;).
 

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punchycool said:
I do not know the extent of the restoration, but hear it included replacement of some of the capacitors and board solder joints but trust the seller and Reverb. All sections apparently work well, all functions operate correctly, the volume knob is clean, and no noise through the speakers through any source and channel. Either way, an emotional purchase so am prepared for further repairs, if needed.

Anyone know the approx cost range to fully repair an AU-717 amp if the future demands it?

And may I assume the glue issue shouldn’t affect the TU-717 tuner?
Click to expand...

Ah, well good news there if it's had caps replaced, decent chance it's been cleaned properly. The 717 is pretty much the only amp I'm keeping my eye out for these days, supposed to be one of Sansui's best.

I really like your reason for tracking one down, I have great childhood memories of listening to music on my dad's Sanyo.
 
I just repaired/restored one of these for a friend & I'm impressed with it. Sounded good even just using my tablet for music. Just a nice build & pretty easy to work on. I'll be lookin for one for myself. I picked up a non-working 417 & am just finishing it up but I want a 717.
Don't be surprised if it goes into protect if you play 4 ohm speakers pretty loud. My G7700 goes into protect at just over half-volume like clockwork.
 
Good to know, pfsound. When we tested the AR9 speakers with a Marantz 2325 (above photo)and shook the house for a while that amp got warm.

I hope I can learn how to work on this stuff myself or at least parts of it. I’m decent with electrical and basic soldering. Hopefully I get a good year out of these pieces before it needs repairs;). Either way, I’m like a kid looking through the toy store window waiting for the Sansui separates to arrive. Looks like Monday at this point .
 
Hyperion said:
I have had no personal contact or experience with this person, but several members here have, the reports for 'Cherish44' have been very good indeed.
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That is very good. Thank you. Bookmarked him.

Sadly, one day, very, very few folks will know how to properly repair vintage audio. That will be a sad day indeed or perhaps I need to train up try to fill a repair seat to augment my retirement income ;). Seriously though, will broken vintage audio become doorstops for most of us at that point in time where only the rich could afford a proper repair or perhaps the price of this old gear will drop to the floor. Either way, God bless those who keep these old time machines operational.
 
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