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A fair ask, edging a touch above the market but still close enough to the pack to be reasonable. With a median of US$638 and a 75th percentile of US$644, the US$650 asking price sits just over the upper end of the recent comparable range, so it is not a bargain, but it is only slightly ambitious.
That said, this is a well-regarded vintage integrated amp, and the AU-5500 has a strong reputation for musical, punchy, listenable sound with enough current to make classic speakers sing. If the unit is clean, original, and properly serviced, the extra US$6 over the 75th percentile is easy to justify; for a buyer, the real upside is owning a respected Sansui piece rather than chasing a strict price floor.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sansui, a pioneering Japanese audio brand, traces its origins to 1947 when it was founded in Tokyo by brothers Sakurai and Shunichi Yamamoto. Emerging from post-war Japan, the company quickly established itself as an innovator in consumer electronics, leveraging precision engineering to craft components that rivaled Western counterparts. Its heritage is rooted in the golden era of hi-fi, where Sansui's commitment to sonic purity helped define Japan's rise as a global audio powerhouse.
The brand excelled in a broad spectrum of hi-fi categories, with particular renown for its integrated amplifiers, receivers, and tuners that delivered warm, dynamic sound. Sansui also produced acclaimed speakers, turntables, cassette decks, and later digital converters, emphasizing robust build quality and innovative features like direct-coupled circuitry for low distortion. These products catered to audiophiles seeking balanced performance across analog and early digital domains.
Today, Sansui holds a cherished position in the vintage collector market, revered for its mid-to-high-end gear from the 1970s and 1980s—icons like the AU-series amps remain sought after for their musicality and reliability. While no longer a frontline manufacturer, its legacy endures among discerning buyers restoring classics or hunting timeless performers, blending nostalgia with enduring value.
See all Sansui listings on RADAR.
Reverb
eBay UK
GB
eBay UK
eBay UK
Reverb
eBay UK
GB
