Let's hear it
My “New” Sansui AU222. Very nice little guy.
- Thread starter rotobadger
- Start date
StirFriedFrp
Member
Yesterday I picked up an entirely original AU-222, from the son of the original owner. It also has the original wood case, which is apparently very rare.
Interestingly the wood case does not have the airflow gaps that I see in this earlier post. That one looks a little too perfect I guess.
Interestingly the wood case does not have the airflow gaps that I see in this earlier post. That one looks a little too perfect I guess.
I strongly suspect that is not a “factory” case, but rather a custom made one. Don't think I’d use that with no air vents.
StirFriedFrp
Member
I think it is the other way around. My wood case looks very old. But more importantly it is identical to the wood case of other AU-222s online (see this image and also this image)
My opinion is based on a couple of observations.
1. The metal case for the 222 had air vents at the back. Seems unlikely a factory wood case would not have air vents. Wood cases for the contemporary 555 and 777 all had air vents.
2. In this time period Sansui wood cases were made of 3/4 inch plywood with a walnut veneer. Is that what yours is made of? Your picture looks like pine or some other wood, and looks thinner than 3/4 inch.
In either case, it looks nice, but I would be wary of running the amp for long periods without some ventilation.
Yeah I suspect this is not a factory cabinet. It looks nothing like any other Sansui cabinet: appears to be solid wood, has beveled/rabbeted face, rabbeted joints, odd fitment, and, no vents. Although in my opinion if any amp can do without the vents, it's the 222. But they still had them on the metal cases.
I wonder if maybe these were 'aftermarket' of a sort popular in Europe/UK? There certainly seem to be a lot more 222 that pop up there than in the US.
I'd be interested in seeing the case from the inside. Does it still also have a metal case?
I wonder if maybe these were 'aftermarket' of a sort popular in Europe/UK? There certainly seem to be a lot more 222 that pop up there than in the US.
I'd be interested in seeing the case from the inside. Does it still also have a metal case?
StirFriedFrp
Member
There is no metal case. The inside looks super clean. I think it might have been stored for years (or decades). But alas it currently doesnt work
The case is screwed to the amplifier by 4 screws that were hidden in the feet. I had to remove some rubber in the middle of the feet to get to these screws.
About air flow: at the back there is some space between the case and the amplifier. You can look in, so to say. This is not possible from the front.
Interesting. Could you show us the rear and inside the case?
(and in what way does it not work? no power?!)
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StirFriedFrp
Member
Power goes on but a lot of noise and cracks. I was worried for the speakers so I did not spend more time at this moment.
I also think it is solid wood yes
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Yeah I would have no qualms about running that amp in that cabinet. Very nicely built.
Sure it doesn't just need deoxit in all the switches/knobs?
GrisPato
Super Member
Your case looks a lot like the one that came on my PM555A tube receiver (1957).
Also without vents, and without steel case.
So my guess is also Factory, maybe an older type they still sold with it because it fits.
I’m curious what speakers you all are finding pairs well with this fine amp?
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HennieTalja
New Member
Hi, I wasn’t happy with it after the recap, but it had to be done because the capacitors were failing due to their age. I also couldn’t get rid of the rustling noise, even after replacing the transistors. I sold it again.Let's hear it
JyriK
Active Member
Let me guess. Sc1845s were used and it sounded bright and/or sterile?
bolero
Super Member
That looks like a 1970 serial #, so quite far into production which started 1968
A bit strange to have that cabinet IMO