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Tested and working is the right condition to see on a P55, but USD300 is ambitious against this listing set: the median is USD104, with the 75th percentile at USD174. Even allowing for the model’s substantial 100 watts per channel and relatively uncommon status, this is well above the normal used asking market; a buyer should negotiate hard or wait for a cleaner-priced example.
That said, the P55 is an appealing vintage power amp: compact, powerful, MOSFET-based, and capable of excellent measured performance, with the unusual option of bridged mono operation using a second unit. The test claim matters because age-related failures have been reported around the power switch, solder joints, and output-stage components. At USD300, insist on a proper audition of both channels, quiet operation, stable meters, and evidence that it has been tested beyond simply powering on.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. traces its origins to 1947 in Osaka, Japan, when Toshio Iue, brother-in-law of Panasonic founder Kōnosuke Matsushita, launched the company using a disused Matsushita factory to produce bicycle generator lamps. Formally incorporated in 1950, the name "Sanyo"—meaning "three oceans"—reflected Iue's vision of global reach across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. From these humble beginnings, Sanyo rapidly expanded into consumer electronics, pioneering Japan's first plastic radio in 1952 and pulsator washing machine in 1954.
In audio and hi-fi, Sanyo earned recognition for mass-market components like stereo systems, introduced in 1958, and the groundbreaking all-transistor DC-600 system in 1963. The brand produced reliable radios, tape recorders, cassette decks—often rebadged for other labels—and hi-fi systems, alongside televisions and amplifiers. Later ventures included acquiring the U.S. Fisher brand in 1975, elevating its profile in receivers and speakers aimed at everyday enthusiasts.
Today, Sanyo holds vintage-collector status rather than an active hi-fi contender, its reputation rooted in affordable, innovative Japanese engineering from the 1960s-1980s golden era. Once a "3S" giant alongside Sony and Sharp, it catered to mid-tier buyers seeking solid performance without audiophile premiums, though its absorption into Panasonic in 2009 shifted focus away from dedicated audio gear. Collectors prize well-preserved Sanyo pieces for their durability and nostalgic appeal in retro setups.
See all Sanyo listings on RADAR.
