Sansui AU-717 all original, all working, fair price local pickup?

[redondo2018]

Title really says it all - I'm in a major metro area.

 

[RossW]

$5-600

 

[jberger]

As I recall, these were subject to problems with some corrosive glue used on some components; has this had any servicing?

 

[EastPoint]

I would never touch one of these unless you can work on it or know someone who can. Too many glue issues and other parts that can go bad.

 

[E2]

$5-600

This. Still will need work.

I would ask $800 for my non serviced AU 919..........

If I was the OP I would be looking for a new unit near that price range. Or a unit from the last ten years.

There are quality units out there in the $400-800 range used from the last decade.

My Au 919 (Needs service), and a Yamaha CR 2040 are sitting in favor of my Denon 980R........

And what kind of speakers will be used?

 

[RossW]

I don't think the AU717 had particularly bad glue issues, at least not nearly to the extent of things like the M80. They sound nice and haven't seen the ridiculous price increases that some brands have.

 

[markshan]

I would never touch one of these unless you can work on it or know someone who can. Too many glue issues and other parts that can go bad.

OTOH if it hasn't failed yet perhaps that one was assembled without much of the glue and it will never be an issue. Wouldn't we have expected failure a decade or more ago if it was going to happen?

 

[ivandezande]

I don't think the AU717 had particularly bad glue issues, at least not nearly to the extent of things like the M80. They sound nice and haven't seen the ridiculous price increases that some brands have.

Oh it did. I've seen maybe 3-4 actually working without service and 20 that were not usable. The fusables also did this unit in.

 

[EastPoint]

OTOH if it hasn't failed yet perhaps that one was assembled without much of the glue and it will never be an issue. Wouldn't we have expected failure a decade or more ago if it was going to happen?

The 717 suffers from glue issues, fuse resistor issues, and transistor issues. They just get worse and worse over the years. It could work fine forever, or it could fail tomorrow. I am pretty cynical about these because I have seen the glue literally eat through wires, and it is a HUGE pain to remove it. I have two AU-717s in my basement, one supposedly working, and one non-working. They will sit there until I find the time for a rebuild, which is very unlikely.

 

[usedto]

I have a 717 currently in use that has only been opened up to blow the dust out. Bought it used with a TU717 tuner and SC1330 cassette deck off of CL for $200.

 

[redondo2018]

thanks everyone - decided the 717 isn't for me, for the reasons above and also because I run 4ohm speakers

 

[E2]

thanks everyone - decided the 717 isn't for me, for the reasons above and also because I run 4ohm speakers

The 717 doesn't run 4 ohm? I ran 4 ohm with my AU 919........(Boy I have been lazy with that unit)

Look for modern used. Even back into the 90's there will be bargains.

The Mission 778X is intriguing. https://missionhifi.com/products/778x

 

[RossW]

It'll do 4 ohms, the 8 ohm minimum only applies if you're running two pairs of speakers (in which case the combined load would be 4 ohms).
I get it though, unrestored vintage gear requires a level of TLC (and hope) that one has to be comfortable with.