How would you rate the AU-7700 and TU-7700?
- Thread starter djnagle
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I used an AU-7700 in my office until I retired. Listened to it every work day. The only thing I did was Deoxit the controls. I had it paired with some ADS 620's that I recapped and had them on short wood stands that had a little tilt. Magical combination especially for two-ways. People used to walk in and marvel at the old gear making great music. Converted a couple of them and they bought some of my other gear to include the 620's.
I am partial to the AU-7700 and really like the sound. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Knobs are all solid metal and have that "chunk" feel when operated.
I am sure your current system is superior but not sure it will blow a fresh AU-7700 paired with good speaks away.
Still looking for a TU to pair with my AU.
My other daily listeners that I compare with are a Yam-2040 and an Onkyo M506RS. Different sounding gear but the 7700 hangs with them nicely.
Good luck in your search.
I am partial to the AU-7700 and really like the sound. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Knobs are all solid metal and have that "chunk" feel when operated.
I am sure your current system is superior but not sure it will blow a fresh AU-7700 paired with good speaks away.
Still looking for a TU to pair with my AU.
My other daily listeners that I compare with are a Yam-2040 and an Onkyo M506RS. Different sounding gear but the 7700 hangs with them nicely.
Good luck in your search.
Glass Prison
Well-Known Member
I tried forever to find a AU-7700 after a kind roommate stole it and sold it. I love the sound of these. I finally found a AU-7900 and I'm finally a happy guy again. 
Thanks all. It is always good when I buy something for sentimential reasons and it also functions really well.
My current system is mostly DIY. the speakers are Lambda TD15 woofs in JBL Bazilay cabs with Edgarhorn midrange and the big ass Heils for tweeters. I try amp with a Carver M1.5T for the woofers, GM70 SET for the midhorns, and PP807 for the tweets. I have 4 subs as well.
I'll keep my eye out for the 7700s. As long as they are in good cosmetic condition, I can get them refirbed.
My current system is mostly DIY. the speakers are Lambda TD15 woofs in JBL Bazilay cabs with Edgarhorn midrange and the big ass Heils for tweeters. I try amp with a Carver M1.5T for the woofers, GM70 SET for the midhorns, and PP807 for the tweets. I have 4 subs as well.
I'll keep my eye out for the 7700s. As long as they are in good cosmetic condition, I can get them refirbed.
spaceman
Registered Lunatic
I think I read somewhere a few years ago, that the TU-7700 is a 4-gang tuner. :scratch2: Whatever it actually is, it works well. :yes: I picked up both the AU-7700 & TU-7700 a few years ago now, in a used gear & record store, and love them.
I thought I paid a bit on the high end at the time, but I changed my mind to thinking I got a nice deal. BTW, these are my daily drivers, and I have a LOT of choices. 
The AU-7700 is put together kinda weird, but with an eye toward good sound. The volume pot is a REALLY good one, that you have to see to know what I mean. 
spaceman
Registered Lunatic
Well, they built it much differently than other amps, & it "might" be the only one they did like that. :scratch2: I think they used the term "modular" to describe it, which really just means that you can see everything pretty clearly, once you get it apart. And what THAT means, is that the chassis & faceplate & top & sides are assembled kinda like a puzzle.
Not a terribly hard puzzle, but it makes you scratch your head a minute, when you first deal with it, and say "What were they thinking?" EDIT: BTW, the 7700 & 7900 aren't really very similar at all, from what I've read. The numbering in the model #s looks kinda similar, but that's about it. The AU-7700 was the TOTL, even though it wasn't "as" powerful as most TOTL amps.
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celthandyman
New Member
after seeing an AU7700 in person at a vinyl shop I feel in love and HAD to have one. Found one on EBay in great shape and man, it sounds AMAZING with my Klipsch Forte IV speakers. Such an efficient combination I can't turn it up beyond '2' without surpassing 85db. Now I'm on the hunt for a matching TU7700 tuner, but they seem harder to find. Appreciate any help in that regard!
I have a 7700 as my garage amp. It is very good. Smooth. Not as deep as a 717. Not as warm as a 777. Looks best even the 555a IMO, and it has a midrange control, which I always use as a mild loudness switch. I was very surprised to learn that the x900 series don't have the same structure - they look more awkward and look less like a functioning whole.
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celthandyman
New Member
hmmm interesting. I see a few 777 on eBay in the 600-900 range. Would you say a fair price? I'm now feeling like making a small collection of these bitchin' things! I know it's subjective, but to you does a more 'warm' sound mean less detail?
Mm maybe a little less detail, which really I think of as granularity in the highs. But moreso to me warm means more mid-bass, and smoother, more musical.
The 777 is a fantastic amp for that classic cap-coupled sound.
celthandyman
New Member
thank you for the info, and my bad...was unaware of the rule but won't forget it!
Collecting these bitchin' things is indeed a very slippery and steep slope! Ask me how I know. I have a nicely restored 1969 AU-777, it is among my favorites, and I agree with bhairavi. Personally, I much prefer the older capacitor coupled Sansuis. They have a rich smooth fully-rounded tone, and, as he said, they are very musical sounding. To me, they are not less detailed. You can hear everything but they have a mellowness to them that isn't so crystal clear, hollow, fast, and precise sounding as the later more advanced circuits (which sound amazing in their own right). With reference to musicality I like to say that they have soul. And a golden tone like a well-worn humbucker on a vintage Les Paul.