Sansui AU217 1978
- Location
- US
- Source
- Reverb
- Posted
- 1d ago
- Last seen
- 2h ago
RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Power output: 30 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) Frequency response: 10Hz to 50kHz Total harmonic distortion: 0.06% Damping factor: 80 Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line) Signal to noise ratio: 76dB (MM), 94dB (line) Channel separation: 65dB (MM), 68dB (line) Output: 150mV (line) Speaker load impedance: 8Ω (minimum) Semiconductors: 30 x transistors, 21 x diodes Dimensions: 430 x 110 x 340mm Weight: 8.4kg Year: 1978
Timing matters here because this is a late-’70s/early-’80s Sansui, so condition and service history matter more than generation chasing. At US$239, it lands essentially on the market median of US$241 and just under the 75th percentile of US$257, so this reads as a fair ask rather than a bargain or stretch.
That makes sense for a well-regarded little Sansui: these have a warm, civilized presentation, a useful phono stage, and enough muscle for efficient speakers in a smaller-to-medium room. If it’s clean, quiet, and unmodified, it’s a solid buy at this number. The real upside is getting a classic integrated that still has strong enthusiast demand; the only meaningful caution is age-related service needs, so confirm pots/switches are quiet, both channels are healthy, and it has not been neglected.
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.