Sansui small amps that can

JimEGR

JimEGR

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Some talk about the 18 watt AU-222 over in @Scott Muni's Sansui bug thread reminded me of how great the lower powered solid state Sansui amps sound. The first watt is the watt that matters and the small Sansui amps demonstrate that by being so absolutely satisfying to listen to. On more than one occasion I have powered up one of these setups and been compelled to stop thinking about what I was hearing and to just listen - purely for the pleasure - and that is what it is all about.

Here are some I captured on video over the last few years.

1978 AU-117 15 watts

1978 AU-217 30 watts

1975 221 10 watts

1975 AU-555a 25 watts

1971 AU-101 15 watts
 
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I really enjoy the low power cap coupled amps. Currently rotating between 101,222, 331 receiver, & 555A . All of these get more use than my 317,717, 661 receiver & the big dog 9090DB. Also have AU999 with all the mods, this one was pretty lame when stock, the mods really woke it up. They all sound great, just different flavor.

Just picked up a 505 yesterday, sounds pretty good for original amp, bass a little weak as expected with untouched original capacitors.
Only time I have ever received a "noise complaint" from the landlord, the 222 was cranking out the bass. For some reason that little amp can rattle the windows, crazy!!
 
My first bought new amp was a Sansui AU-D33. It's been a long time since I had it (traded in on a Yamaha C-40/M-40 combo) but the memory is fond of it sounding nice.

I think occasionally of buying one but not bad enough for some prices I've seen.
 
I was surprised, though at this point I shouldn't be, by how great an unrestored dinky little 210 sounded.

All of them hit above their weight class. I wasn't a big fan of the 505 (tons of bass and highs but kinda thin in the midsection, like an hourglass). 555a is great but I already consider that to be 'more than' a small amp although in absolute terms it's definitely on the small side.
 
The 210 was the first of the CC Sansui’s I heard. I then got the AU/TU505 combo, hoping to get a bit more power along with the sweetness of the 210. The 210 stayed, it just has “that” sound that no other Sui I had matched. Great piece of equipment I don’t feel has any shortcomings sound wise, compared to the TOTL units.
 
I should also put in a good word for the 350A receiver. I had one for many years, which sounded excellent. Finally sold it about a year ago, after I was graciously given a 1000X (it's big brother) by a customer of mine. The 1000X is higher output, and doesn't really qualify as a "small" amp like the 350A did. It was also in much nicer condition than my 350A, which I believe I paid $10 for as an "as-is, needs repair" item from a local junk store probably 20+ years ago. I needed a red light bulbs, and a couple of switches, plus it was missing some knobs I eventually turned up.
 
This is one of my favorite Petty songs. I love the tight snap of the drum groove that carries it and the little keyboard riff throughout. Listening to the 217 with a WiiM Mini on Klipsch KG 1.5s. Amazing little speaker and a nice pairing with this amp.
 
It is good to hear that you guys like lower powered Sansui's. It seems lots of AK's like the 'bigger boys". 25 watts is more then enough for more nearfield listening. I like the more delicate sound of lower powered amps. My 505 says 12 watts but is has to be more then that ?!
 
Like many fanatics of the brand, I started off, and spent many years, collecting the biggest, fanciest and most powerful models I could find. That seemed to be the thing to do at the time, as the big dogs were plentiful (and often downright cheap) when I began building my collection in 1996. The more modest models were so undesired back then that one seldom even saw them for sale, and it wasn't unusual for them to be given away free (or set at curbside where someone just might snag it).

It wasn't until the interest in vintage gear got so overheated and taken up by so many people that the smaller and less feature laden units began to gain popularity, initially because they represented an affordable alternative to the TOTL stuff that was most sought after. Many newcomers to the "hobby" ended up settling for these "lesser" specimens, only to find them perfectly adequate and thoroughly enjoyable.

But then an interesting situation began to coalesce: guys like me who had been obsessed with the 100-200WPC class receivers and amps took notice of how very good these less ostentatious siblings were, and word of their sonic worthiness began to spread online. Now, the small amps are getting incredible prices on the secondary market, and the big dogs are quite often positively stratospheric in what is being asked. And yet, gear is still being purchased in quantity, so clearly there are yet a lot of people who seem to consider the quality to be worth the price, even if things have cooled a little from their peak.
 
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Sansuiman said:
Like many fanatics of the brand, I started off, and spent many years, collecting the biggest, fanciest and most powerful models I could find. That seemed to be the thing to do at the time, as the dogs were plentiful (and often downright cheap) when I began building my collection in 1996. The more modest models were so undesired back then that one seldom even saw them for sale, and it wasn't unusual for them to be given away free (or set at curbside where someone just might snag it).

It wasn't until the interest in vintage gear got so overheated and taken up by so many people that the smaller and less feature laden units began to gain popularity, initially because they represented an affordable alternative to the TOTL stuff that was most sought after. Many newcomers to the "hobby" ended up settling for these "lesser" specimens, only to find them perfectly adequate and thoroughly enjoyable.

But then an interesting situation began to coalesce: guys like me who had been obsessed with the 100-200WPC class receivers and amps took notice of how very good these less ostentatious siblings were, and word of their sonic worthiness began to spread online. Now, the small amps are getting incredible prices on the secondary market, and the big dogs are quite often positively stratospheric in what is being asked. And yet, gear is still being purchased in quantity, so clearly there are yet a lot of people who seem to consider the quality to be worth the price, even if things have cooled a little from their peak.
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And I must insist, and these aren't sour grapes because I've owned a few of the bigger ones, that the small ones hold their own, and for me, they surpass em!
 
This Best Of The Line vs Top Of The Line appreciation is happening in the classic car world too. The smaller displacement collectible vehicles are seeing a big increase in popularity in recent years. For many of the same reasons the minimalist amps and receivers are - simpler, more reliable, economical, maximum value, great driving experience and all of the looks and mystique of the bygone era we all miss and appreciate.
 
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