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Sansui AU-555 Integrated Amplifier (Solid State) Clearing out a lot of vintage gear I have had stored for years. I have tested this - it powers on but the power button is not responsive. It then blew the fuses in the house so obviously a short and I stopped there. There is no top case for this amp. It was housed in the ugliest home made timber box which I broke apart to pull out, only to find it had no top! Looks very tidy inside considering age. One knob missing. Great for parts or restoration. On ebay a single geniune knob is listed for over $50 (plus postage) so value just for parts.
This A$150 parts-only listing is a massive bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$717 for working units in Australia. Even against the broader market range of A$500–A$1,500, this price is an outlier that demands attention for any DIY enthusiast willing to invest in repairs.
The Sansui AU-555A is a revered 25W vintage amp from 1971–1973, prized for its warm, musical sound and iconic walnut cabinet. While it likely needs capacitor and pot servicing given its age, the A$150 entry point leaves plenty of room for restoration costs while still delivering a high-value classic. If the chassis is intact and the transformer works, this is a genuine buying opportunity to secure a well-loved piece of audio history at a fraction of its typical value.
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.
