Hi there, I'm a long time lurker, not often I have time to post even when I want to, but I have a question now that needs answering. I've been a Sansui fan since my 555a for $5 about 8 years ago...this amp, in comjunction with a TU-7500 rescued from the garbage has been serving as my kitchen system for the last couple years, driving KLH-17's (2pr stacked) and now Smaller Advents. Last week however I got an AU-999 which I wanted to match the TU-999 I've had for a few years now...so that pair has gone in the kitchen with the Smaller Advents. The question is...I think the 555 may sound better...does anybody else have much experience with these amps? There isn't a lot of difference in thier power...the 999 sounds more open and neutral perhaps, but less full and impressive? Does that make sense to anybody, or have I just been so impressed with the 33 w.p.c from the 555 that the 999 just isn't that much of a step up? Although, I gotta admit, it does look awsome with the tuner up there on top of the fridge. :thmbsp: Except for the different width thing...but I can live with that I suppose. By the way, this isn;lt just a tuner difference, it's the same using the CD player, a Yamaha CDX-1110u, as close to a vintage CD player as there is, and one of the few sturdy enough to have the others stacked on it. Anyway, thanks for any input.
-Scott

G'day Essamt3, I was so impressed with the first AU-555A that I bought at a considerable sum, it had been serviced and cleaned, I got hooked and bought another at more or a bargain price of Ebay in Australia.

I run one on my main system with Proton CD player, Tu-3900 and Magneplanar SMG's, and I love the rich open sound of the amp. It seems to add some bottom end to my Maggies, although I rarely get to play her loud. Not to long ago I managed to pump some Garry Willis bass with Dennis Chambers on drums pretty loud, and I was mightily impressed! The amp certainly gives depth and gravitas to my speakers.

The other one I use with a tuner and Stax headphones, although very recently I was using a Kenwood KA2002A amp for that purpose, and for such a small amp it had very nice qualities, refined and polite, whereas the AU-555A is a matriarch. I also have a AU-4900 away being repaired, and I am looking forward to the return. I will have to decide what to plug my Ariston RD80/Hadcock arm and Decca London cartridge set up into, the 555A or 4900?

I was told by a Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiast that the AU-555A was the starting point of the legend of Sansui. I can make no comparison with 999, but everytime I mention the 555A to anyone who knew her, they all smile and say it is a nice amp. :yes:

$5.00 :sigh:

If I were younger and single I could contemplate moving to the land of the brave, just to cruise the GW stores that I keep reading about in this forum.