Sansui amplifier for Sansui speakers?

[John Carr]

What Amplifier should I get for my SP-200s?

Hi I am pretty new to audio stuff. I am on a pretty tight budget and I would like to know if anyone has an idea of what amp I should get for my Sansui speakers? I have a Harman/Kardon AVR 1600 and it just doesn't put out enough bass for these speakers. I am looking for a older Sansui that hopefully doesn't cost over $200.

 

[nicholas2381]

Are you married to Sansui?

If not, the Kenwood KA-3500 is prevalent, can be had for under $200 and has good low end.

 

[FluxT]

Sansui speakers don't have a lot going down in the bass department, that's just how they are regardless of what they're attached to. They chose high efficiency and a small-ish box over low bass extension (Hoffman's Iron Law), since most music back in the mid 60's didn't have a lot of heavy low bass content. A small subwoofer, crossed over around 50-100Hz (whatever sounds best to your ears) will do a good job filling in the low end nicely, and reduce the strain put on the speakers by cranking the bass knob.

That being said, a nice period match with your speakers would be something like a Sansui 350, 800, or 2000 receivers, or an AU-555 integrated amp. Avoid the 3000 and the 5000/5000A's unless they've been worked on, though-those had a tendency to go *poof* due to unstable original circuitry (and that's when they were new, let alone 50 years old). If you're willing to branch out from Sansui, then a vintage Yamaha would also be well worth a look. Those fly under the radar compared to Sansui/Pioneer/Marantz stuff, and sound absolutely amazing. Yamaha's Loudness dial is especially good for Sansui speakers, since they cut back the midrange to your taste and make the lows and highs seem louder. Most other receivers have a loudness button that just boost the bass and treble by a given amount, which you can't really adjust, so it either works well with your speakers or it doesn't. My cheap thrift-shop college setup was a CR620 with a pair of Sansui speakers, and it absolutely sang with the Loudness dialed back to about 5 or so. HK and Kenwood have a bit of a bassier balance

Alas, eBay's gone nuts with the prices on these, and people have the gall to be asking $200 or more for untested junk that they pulled out of some recycling center or Goodwill. But if you can spare $25, you can join Bartertown on here and put out a want ad for an old Sansui or Yamaha for <$200, and chances are someone on here's got something that's known to work and that they're willing to part with for $200 or less. Regardless of whether you keep the HK or get a Sansui, I'd get the subwoofer to fill in the bottom end.

 

[Okke 70s]

If you are on a budget and still want a decent(size) vintage amplifier: let go of Sansui. They made very nice amplifiers and receivers, but today even the smallest ones go for a lot. To much, really.

What you are looking for here is the "under the radar" category. You know, stuff less in the spotlight, but actually really good! Most JVC stuff qualifies (look for the "super A" tag). Sometimes smaller Onkyo's go for far les then they deserve. Take a good look at anything with a brand name you never heard off.. Might be a re-baged version of some established brand amp. And of course your "local market" stuff is usually a good bang, wherever "local" may be in your case.

It is getting harder though, nice amps from say Pioneer, Sony, Akai, Yamaha etc are usually not that cheap anymore. Name us some stuff that appeals to you!

 

[John Carr]

If you are on a budget and still want a decent(size) vintage amplifier: let go of Sansui. They made very nice amplifiers and receivers, but today even the smallest ones go for a lot. To much, really.

What you are looking for here is the "under the radar" category. You know, stuff less in the spotlight, but actually really good! Most JVC stuff qualifies (look for the "super A" tag). Sometimes smaller Onkyo's go for far les then they deserve. Take a good look at anything with a brand name you never heard off.. Might be a re-baged version of some established brand amp. And of course your "local market" stuff is usually a good bang, wherever "local" may be in your case.

It is getting harder though, nice amps from say Pioneer, Sony, Akai, Yamaha etc are usually not that cheap anymore. Name us some stuff that appeals to you!

The older low wattage is mainly all I care about. Thanks for the reply!