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Sansui au-222

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Philip moses

Member
So, i recently bought an au-555a in near mint condition.
All original elca caps inside in good condition.

It sounds wonderful.
So much so, that i'm offloading a well respected 300b amp to make way for it.
Enough of hifi, it's just enjoyable to listen to.

Now i have the opportunity to purchase a mint au-222 that is currently being recapped/rebuilt internally.

So, what can i expect from the au-222?
 
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I've come around to the notion that these small model Sansui amps have some magic in the box. They are not hifi in the generally accepted sense of the term, but they are exceptioanlly enjoyable to listen to. Which is to say that while they have published specs that will never get a second look from the golden eared crowd that prefer amps that cost as much as a car, they have - something - that just makes them sound good enough to spend hours with and still avoid listener fatugue.

Don't expect them to fill a concert hall size listening space with their modest power output, or be adorned with all manner of fancy features, and you'll do best use efficient speakers to maximize their potential. But you may well find them enjoyable enough to achieve contentment and end the rat race of chasing upgrades.

Big top end models have their place, and I'll not deny that. But more and more these unassuming entries in the lower end of the product line are proving themselves to be quite desirable.

To successfully displace a 300B based tube amp would be quite the testimonial, I'd say.
 
Sansuiman said:
I've come around to the notion that these small model Sansui amps have some magic in the box. They are not hifi in the generally accepted sense of the term, but they are exceptioanlly enjoyable to listen to. Which is to say that while they have published specs that will never get a second look from the golden eared crowd that prefer amps that cost as much as a car, they have - something - that just makes them sound good enough to spend hours with and still avoid listener fatigue.

Don't expect them to fill a concert hall size listening space with their modest power output, or be adorned with all manner of fancy features, and you'll do best use efficient speakers to maximize their potential. But you may well find them enjoyable enough to achieve contentment and end the rat race of chasing upgrades.

Big top end models have their place, and I'll not deny that. But more and more these unassuming entries in the lower end of the product line are proving themselves to be quite desirable.

To successfully displace a 300B based tube amp would be quite the testimonial, I'd say.
Click to expand...

Totally agree...
Have had my tiny Sui AU-101 easily driving my mammoth SP-5000s...beguiling un-fatiguing relaxed sound...approaching that mystical threshold of desirability...THAT SO CALLED VALVE SOUND...:jump:
I imagine these so called 'unassuming Sui entries in the lower end of the product line' a tad like the android in the movie A.I. simply made, simply repaired, simply last till the end of days...a joy to listen to...for ever and ever...:hug:
 
The 222 is pure bliss, even in stock form.
I eventually rebuild mine and found that at first I wasn't sure I'd done the right thing! But from a few tweeks it's very pleasing now how it ended up.

Its only real downside is that you don't have many inputs that are true line in, they go via the phono circuit first (not exactly as the phono does, just partially). I use the tape monitor switch mostly as it's directly to the pre amp stage.
It's doesn't offer pre/main jumpers to use separately.
It only has one pair of speaker terminals.
 
Philip moses said:
So, i recently bought an au-555a in near mint condition.
All original elca caps inside in good condition.

It sounds wonderful.
So much so, that i'm offloading a well respected 300b amp to make way for it.
Enough of hifi, it's just enjoyable to listen to.

Now i have the opportunity to purchase a mint au-222 that is currently being recapped/rebuilt internally.

So, what can i expect from the au-222?
Click to expand...
The 222 is a punchier sound with a nice sound stage I prefer it over a 555a
 
Just curious, which 300b do you have. I have both SS and tube myself. As much as I enjoy my Sansui SS gear, I still find myself preferring tubes. I have a AU/TU 505 combo that has that “tube sound” characteristic, but tubes have more depth and that 3D charm that make them more enjoyable. Again, just curious about your 300b, if you don’t mind sharing.
 
I keep flipping between my au/tu 505 and 210 the 210's getting more use to be honest
I listen to 95% radio these days sometimes for 48hrs straight,i've been sleeping on the settee since losing my wife at new year.
 
Trw said:
I keep flipping between my au/tu 505 and 210 the 210's getting more use to be honest
I listen to 95% radio these days sometimes for 48hrs straight,i've been sleeping on the settee since losing my wife at new year.
Click to expand...
hope you are well, and enjoying the music.
 
Sorry. Little bit of a thread resurrection but I’ve had a few drinks. :banana:

The Sansui amps I’ve had:

AU-888
AU-555a
AU-777
AU-111 (currently own).

I just picked up this AU-222. Completely unrestored (full recap coming once I get the parts). I can’t believe I’m saying this but, it’s easily my favorite! The AU111 is still a legend and I love it but, holy crap, the 222 HAS me.

Can’t stop listening to it. Excited to hear improvements after my recap.

My 777 was awesome but I just dig the 222 for some reason.

OK. Gushing over.

IMG_1257.jpeg
 
rotobadger said:
Sorry. Little bit of a thread resurrection but I’ve had a few drinks. :banana:

The Sansui amps I’ve had:

AU-888
AU-555a
AU-777
AU-111 (currently own).

I just picked up this AU-222. Completely unrestored (full recap coming once I get the parts). I can’t believe I’m saying this but, it’s easily my favorite! The AU111 is still a legend and I love it but, holy crap, the 222 HAS me.

Can’t stop listening to it. Excited to hear improvements after my recap.

My 777 was awesome but I just dig the 222 for some reason.

OK. Gushing over.

View attachment 3439138
Click to expand...
Interesting. I have an AU-777 and AU-999 (both restored), and I've long thought an AU-222 couldn't be any improvement over those, but all these positive threads about the 222 lately are making me wonder. :dunno:
 
KeithD said:
Interesting. I have an AU-777 and AU-999 (both restored), and I've long thought an AU-222 couldn't be any improvement over those, but all these positive threads about the 222 lately are making me wonder. :dunno:
Click to expand...
I have several Sansui amps/receivers plus some other brands (10). The au222 measures the most distortion, has the weirdest looking square wave yet it has the nicest sound. The bass is unmatched. The sound just draws me into the music. I usually try and rotate amps once a month, the 222 is very hard for me to take out of the rotation.

It's also the only amp where my landlord knocked on the door and asked me to turn down the volume! He said the thumping bass was annoying him on his side of the building.
 
So, I haven’t gotten the components to recap the 222 yet so I’m listening to it “as-is” for now.

I’m a bit embarrassed to say this but, I have over $10,000 of audio amps, preamps, etc.

And all I’ve been listening to is my $240 Sansui AU-222.

This isn’t meant to be a “humble brag” it’s just to give context.

Am I nuts?

This is like saying I have a vintage restored Porsche 911, Ferrari and and restored vintage Dodge Challenger and all I’ve been wanting to drive is a vintage Honda Accord.

Also, with the exception of the low background hiss the 222 is putting out, it sounds amazing.
 
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