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The AU-117’s age matters: this is a 1978–80 Sansui, not a later replacement model, so condition and servicing matter more than the vintage label. At £90, though, it is a strong deal against the three comparable listings: below the £111 25th percentile, and well under the £132 median and £137 75th percentile.
Its appeal is genuine: this compact Sansui is a well-regarded, unusually musical low-power integrated, with a useful phono stage and roughly 15 watts per channel—plenty for efficient speakers and sensible room levels. It is also a clean-looking, understated design from Sansui’s better-regarded period. Because the listing gives no condition, confirm both channels, inputs, controls, phono operation, and speaker outputs work quietly; ageing components and output-stage faults can be material on a 40-plus-year-old amplifier. At this price, a working example remains an excellent buy even if minor servicing is needed.
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.
