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I am a believer. AU-222 is a fine amp

Robisme

Robisme

Sansui Enthusiast
Subscriber
As we have all been reading lately, AK members feel that the AU-222 is a great sounding amp. It was hard to believe that this BOTL amp could sounds as good, or better, than “better” amps.

Well, after comparing my restored AU-222 to my restored AU-317, and restored AU-888, I can confirm that the AU-222 is a great sounding amp. It is actually quite shocking how good it sounds. I am now a believer.

Now I have to build a switch box so I can compare these three without having to swap cables. And maybe others.

All three sound very good, but with the swapping cable method it’s tough to get an accurate comparison.

Rob
 
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All the parts for my AU-222 rebuild are in. I'm dying to get back to it but I have family in town and a full agenda this weekend. Probably be next week before I start in on it. Real life is killing me!
 
onwardjames said:
Sometimes, less is more.

My restored Marantz 1060, with a screaming 37 wpc, sounds like audio butter.
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I have a recapped 1060. Least favorite of the 12 amps here, but the other 11 are sansui...

It sounds ok, much better after the recap, but just missing something the other amps have. Spent a lot on good caps, Mundorf for some of the pre-amp helped, but still disappointed.
 
I really love my 1060, something special about the sound, especially once it's turned up a bit. A real keeper. Really essential to change all small transitors especially on the tone board (made a much bigger difference than the recap to me)

I also own 13 Sansui amps too, which are great too but I find the 1060 is right up there. Sounds better to me than my restored AU-777 ! Mind you I have had many Marantz 70's receivers, but sold them all except one as Sansui is simply better in most cases, but the 1060 and 2230 really have something about them, fantastic lush sound. Speaker matching must play a role however....

Definitely finding less is more however. Just loving my Sansui 2000 and HK430
 
Dom123 said:
I really love my 1060, something special about the sound, especially once it's turned up a bit. A real keeper. Really essential to change all small transitors especially on the tone board (made a much bigger difference than the recap to me)

I also own 13 Sansui amps too, which are great too but I find the 1060 is right up there. Sounds better to me than my restored AU-777 ! Mind you I have had many Marantz 70's receivers, but sold them all except one as Sansui is simply better in most cases, but the 1060 and 2230 really have something about them, fantastic lush sound. Speaker matching must play a role however....

Definitely finding less is more however. Just loving my Sansui 2000 and HK430
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I changed all transistors on the phono and main amp. Previous to me repairs replaced several on the main including non matching outputs.

Still have factory transistors on the pre. Do you recall what transistors you used? I would be interested to go back in.
 
I have been looking at the 1060 but I refuse to pay the local Marantz tax..


Speaker/amp switch is a must. You gotta do an instantaneous level-matched A/B to get the full picture..

We'll see if you agree, Rob - IMO the 222 is way more dynamic than the 888, while the 317, if it is close to the 217 or 717, is a bit tighter on the lower end but a bit 'drier'.
 
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Scott Muni said:
Still have factory transistors on the pre. Do you recall what transistors you used? I would be interested to go back in.
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I think I used the usual culprits, KSA992 and KSC1845.

Actually after recapping my first 1060, I remember feeling underwhelmed. Thought I would try changing the transistors on the tone board. It made a real discernible difference, really improved it !
 
Dom123 said:
I think I used the usual culprits, KSA992 and KSC1845.

Actually after recapping my first 1060, I remember feeling underwhelmed. Thought I would try changing the transistors on the tone board. It made a real discernible difference, really improved it !
Click to expand...
Thanks. Poking around the forum, there were other options. Those seem to be the most used. I have a Quant Asylum on order, and plan is to run the measurements before and after. Will update.
 
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