Sansui AU-101 - decision to look for vintage

[MarekWac]

Hi All. New in forum but old in audio and relatively old in age.

Being an owner of few amps/systems mainly "modern" I started to look for vintage experiment. Already ElektraE10 from MF family is working (fully recapped and improved by myself) with nice sound but new challenge is growing in my head.

As AU-101 is entry level from Sansui quite cheap with number of available units - is it a toy from Sansui or lets say acceptable entry level vintage to start fun with old equipment.
Amp seems to be simple but simple is probably the best one. Even buying two I am able to made one working hopefully.

What do you think about it? Any suggestions but do not turn to opposite end of amps. I would like to stay on cheap side of story.

Thanks Marek

 

[playittwice]

Good day, Marek, and welcome!

Having the elder sibling of the AU-101, the AU-505, one has to keep in mind entry level doesn’t equate to poor sound.
I personally have not heard a 101, but from what I’ve read, it is a very good sounding, early example of the renowned Sansui cap-coupled sound.
The 505 is as well. I believe these two amps are the only ones in this family. (101 and 505). Not a ton of power, but what’s there is sweet.

I think you will enjoy it, you may need some higher efficiency speakers and or a smaller listening space. If you don’t need loud, then you should be fine.

Have fun in the Sansui club!

 

[MarekWac]

Good day, Marek, and welcome!

Having the elder sibling of the AU-101, the AU-505, one has to keep in mind entry level doesn’t equate to poor sound.
I personally have not heard a 101, but from what I’ve read, it is a very good sounding, early example of the renowned Sansui cap-coupled sound.
The 505 is as well. I believe these two amps are the only ones in this family. (101 and 505). Not a ton of power, but what’s there is sweet.

I think you will enjoy it, you may need some higher efficiency speakers and or a smaller listening space. If you don’t need loud, then you should be fine.

Have fun in the Sansui club!

Thanks for reply. Good information also about 505. With power, room, loudness - having a lot of problems already with each of my system in big living room I moved the best ones to small room and all problems gone. Room acoustics is probably number one issue to be taken to account when placing audio system. etc . I hope soon to join to Sansui owners club. Have to find something.

 

[DB-7]

I have an early AU-101.
Mine has yet to be restored, but it is a suprising little amp. Both in sound and seemly under rated power. With the right speakers you'd never believe it is only 15 wpc.
Sound I think is the begining of the classic Sansui sound all Sansui fans crave.
I highly recommend the AU-101 for any fan of Sansui.

 

[quadmatrix82]

As far as vintage entry level amps the au-101 is hard to beat and easy to restore if you are handy with electronics

Hi All. New in forum but old in audio and relatively old in age.

Being an owner of few amps/systems mainly "modern" I started to look for vintage experiment. Already ElektraE10 from MF family is working (fully recapped and improved by myself) with nice sound but new challenge is growing in my head.

As AU-101 is entry level from Sansui quite cheap with number of available units - is it a toy from Sansui or lets say acceptable entry level vintage to start fun with old equipment.
Amp seems to be simple but simple is probably the best one. Even buying two I am able to made one working hopefully.

What do you think about it? Any suggestions but do not turn to opposite end of amps. I would like to stay on cheap side of story.

Thanks Marek

 

[JimEGR]

Hello and welcome!

Agree with all of the above. The AU-101 has a rich and intoxicating SQ - and really captures the elegant perfection of that period Sansui form factor. If you have reasonably sensitive speakers and don't need to cause hearing damage, you'll find all the volume you'll ever need. And buying two is always a great idea .

Keep us posted!

 

[Sansuiman]

I'll put in another vote for the AU-101. Granted, I'm a big fan of the Sansui cap coupled sound, but in think it is an excellent sounding minimalist amp. A very nice looking unit too, if that is a consideration. I have a TU-505 tuner mated to mine, and while it doesn't see a ton of use (it is an "auxiliary" system due to my having far too much gear) I thoroughly enjoy it when I am using it.

 

[Bob Chieldon]

A fine sounding amplifier from the days when Mr Sansui was still alive and wouldn’t let anything that didn’t sound good out the door.

It has a warm, slightly fuzzy, liquid quality to the sound that thrives of things like soul and R&B.

Very easy to work on, fantastic access and loads of space for new capacitors, etc.

Any unit you get that hasn’t been recapped will benefit from a refresh of the capacitors, I bumped up the power supply and speaker decoupling capacitors in my two to about double the capacitance and much higher voltages to fill the clamps, and especially a thorough clean of the switches and pots.

Great first amp to get into under the hood of, you can’t blow up your speakers either!

 

[BLAH BLAH]

It is no accident that the Sansui AU-101 was designated 101...that number 101 is used as an introductory/start course code number for American classes...
So as/us Sui aficionados we can say...with hand over heart...that the Sui 101 is a great introductory start to learning about the wonderfully constructed Sansui Amps and renowned famous tone!!!
I have one...I will use it as a pillow for my head in my coffin as I finally trot off this mortal coil...the 101 would be the very first item I would salvage from my burning house...from my house which is on a hill, from being flooded. I would carry the 101 on a Mao style 5000 klm long trek...I would do the best gollum impression if others coveted...my precious!!! A ringing endorsement!!! My 101 which is refurbed...has a wonderful unfatiguing tone...that I could listen to non-stop for weeks...no months...no heck, years! I totally love...love...love this sound/tone! It is still comparatively a cheap buy from the Sui Stable of Amps...and it is still a classy performer! In other words...buy as beer for a champagne finish...it also punches well above its weight! It comfortably drives my larger efficient SP-5000 speakers with ease and panache...and in the words of so many happy Sui Amp owners...and also as another final ringing endorsement...it is a keeper!!!

 

[Trw]

A big fan of the 101 here..an intoxicating introduction to the 'Sansui' cap coupled sound.
All you need really to listen to music.