Best low powered SANSUI?

[JimEGR]

I really like the looks of au222, but never heard one. What I dont like of its design is that the first stage (the phono one) is used on the aux input. The signal is lowered with a voltage divider at the aux input, to then be amplified by the phono stage. Why is that? Other designs just jumps this phono stage when aux input is used..

Here is a related discussion on the topic -

Why did some first generation integrated's push all inputs through the Phono stage?

This came up in @Scott Muni AU-222 rebuild thread. Frank Speet modified the inputs in his very cool "minimalised" AU-222 rebuild. So why did Sansui do this? Seems odd to RIAA correct anything other than vinyl. Just the learning curve for Sansui? 1965 AU-111(tube) - phono separated (identified...

audiokarma.org

 

[Scott Muni]

I do agree with this review, the au222 has punchy bass.

 

[KeithD]

I don't have anything else "low powered" to compare to, but my AU-777 has a wonderful sound. And, being that it was Sansui's first TOTL integrated amp, it has a special place in Sansui product history. I totally re-capped mine and I found it fairly easy to work on. Just a few spots on the tone board that were a bit challenging to get to.

 

[JimEGR]

Just noticed you specified pre 1975. Here is a list that might also be helpful-

Sansui product history

V. 06/27/23 Organized chronologically, separate blocks of JDM and International, power low to high JDM = Japanese Domestic Market AAFES = Army & Air Force Exchange Service "Generations" currently defined by major form factor changes, and don't necessarily indicate a circuit evolution. Please...

audiokarma.org

--- INTEGRATED ---

--- First Generation ---
1967 AU-777 25 watts
1968 AU-222 18 watts
1968 AU-555 20 watts
1969 AU-777D 30 watts (JDM version of AU-777A)
1969 AU-777A 30 watts
1970 AU-555A 25 watts
1970 AU-666 35 watts
1970 AU-888 45 watts
1970 AU-999 50 watts
1971 AU-101 15 watts
1972 AU-505 12 watts

1973 AU-2000 13 watts (JDM version AU-505)

--- Second Generation ---
1972 AU-6500 30 watts
1972 AU-7500 32 watts
1972 AU-9500 75 watts
1973 AU-8500 60 watts

1974 AU-22 13 watts (JDM)
1974 AU-33 20 watts (JDM)

1974 AU-2200 10 watts
1974 AU-4400 20 watts
1974 AU-5500 35 watts
1974 AU-6600 42 watts
1974 AU-7700 54 watts

1974 AU-7900 80 watts
1975 AU-3900 25 watts
1975 AU-4900 38 watts
1975 AU-5900 45 watts
1975 AU-6900 60 watts
1976 AU-2900 15 watts

1975 AU-1100 22 watts (JDM)
1975 AU-3300 35 watts (JDM)

1975 AU-1500 22 watts (JDM)
1975 AU-3500 35 watts (JDM)

 

[Scott Muni]

Jim, do you know what year(s) the au101 had the improved f-1302-2 ?

Searching the sites for available units, not much to pick from. I did order the last output transistors tip41c that mouser had in stock, just in case they are needed.

 

[JimEGR]

Jim, do you know what year(s) the au101 had the improved f-1302-2 ?

Searching the sites for available units, not much to pick from. I did order the last output transistors tip41c that mouser had in stock, just in case they are needed.

Here are my three, with production dates. Only the earliest one has the F-1302(MK1)



OP if you go for an AU-101 you might consider the gen 2 board.

 

[DB-7]

I have the AU-101. It has the first gen board in it and it works and sounds perfect. It doesn't have trimmers. IMO one less thing to have to deal with. As far as I know settings are controlled by resistors. Easy enough to change if it goes out of wack.
I wouldn't get too hung up on which board it has if you really want one


The au-101 is the best 15 wpc I've ever listen to. Seem like alot more.
15 wpc to 18 wpc you'll never hear the difference. Probably wouldn't hear a true difference until you do get to 30 wpc.

 

[JimEGR]

I have the AU-101. It has the first gen board in it and it works and sounds perfect. It doesn't have trimmers. IMO one less thing to have to deal with. As far as I know settings are controlled by resistors. Easy enough to change if it goes out of wack.
I wouldn't get too hung up on which board it has if you really want one
View attachment 3018179

The au-101 is the best 15 wpc I've ever listen to. Seem like alot more.
15 wpc to 18 wpc you'll never hear the difference. Probably wouldn't hear a true difference until you do get to 30 wpc.

I see your Gen 1 is running Flying Saucers still, too! I have to say my untouched AU-101 gen 1 with those pesky Flying Saucers (gold plated military grade transistors) sounds superb. Rich Sansui perfection. I would counter the gen 1 / gen 2 board point though. If you have the option, absolutely go for the gen 2 with trimmers. If you can’t track down a gen 2, us gen 1 owners aren’t complaining so the gen 1 is certainly viable.

 

[Scott Muni]

I would prefer the trim pot board. I have no problem with flying saucers, the ones in my au555a have been just fine.

 

[Bright_Star]

I highly recommend the AU-317, its a great model, especially when prices are higher these days for top of the lines models such as the AU-717.
The AU-317 also gets bonus points for the added flexibility of having a separable pre-power section, which is not offered on the lower 217 and 117, and also not even on some higher models such as the 417 and 719. In fact, it was removed on the II versions, 317/217/117. Rack handle capability as well. Two sets of speaker terminals (not on the 217 & 117).

Another option are the "tuner amplifiers", TA-500 & TA-300. Nice models that dont need a separate tuner and provide similar elegance to an AU-717/TU-717 at less wattage.

 

[JimEGR]

I highly recommend the AU-317, its a great model, especially when prices are higher these days for top of the lines models such as the AU-717.
The AU-317 also gets bonus points for the added flexibility of having a separable pre-power section, which is not offered on the lower 217 and 117, and also not even on some higher models such as the 417 and 719. In fact, it was removed on the II versions, 317/217/117. Rack handle capability as well. Two sets of speaker terminals (not on the 217 & 117).

Another option are the "tuner amplifiers", TA-500 & TA-300. Nice models that dont need a separate tuner and provide similar elegance to an AU-717/TU-717 at less wattage.

The OP is looking for Integrated <30 watts <1975

 

[Bright_Star]

The OP is looking for <30 watts <1975

I didnt catch that, the pre '75 that is, in his comment, though I was wondering why the list ended at that year,

Very well then, its his choice. But I would still keep the 317 in mind, Sansui reached its peak years in the 2nd half of the 70's, before the
1980's quality cost cutting came along, so there are not really any "bad" AU models in that decade, its mainly a matter of finding one from a seller thats
been well maintained over the years and priced within the buyers budget.

 

[quadmatrix82]

For me the au-505 is the perfect low power Sansui, has the right balance of power warmth and control and looks beautiful and seems more scarce than the more commonly spoken about au-555a. They are also pretty straight forward to maintain and service which is a plus.

Honourable mention goes to the AU-222 which has a punchier more forward presentation

 

[bolero]

AU-3900 sounds great & is a sleeper/under the radar. Also latest gen design that qualifies for the OP

 

[Copanel]

I am very satisfied with the Sansui au-2900 and au-4900, I also like the au-117 II a lot. Of the three I like the au-4900 the best.

 

[Copanel]

However, the Sansui au-117 is not recommended for 4 ohm speakers.

 

[Trw]

1st au-555a (Still have)
2nd au-505 (Sold)
3rd au-101 (Sold)

All have been enjoyable,the 555a has a certain something though.

 

[Wally1955]

From all my low power Sansui Amps
the AU-1100 sounds best in my ears don't know why but the sounstage out of the SP-100IEX is simply the best all in all luckily could grab 1 of this rare BabySui happiness is guaranteed
Cheers

the AU-307 is gorgeous too but with a different Soundstage as well as the AU-3300,AU-222,
AU-2000 ,AU-555A ,BA-150, BA-100,BA-90, BA-60 and others

 

[Overundr1]

Older but interesting thread. How about an integrated amplifier that is low powered and cap coupled with TO-3 output requirements added to the mix like the 2000/5000 series of receivers?

 

[bolero]

600L