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Sansui AU 555 A Integrated Amplifier (Solid State) Fully restored and upgraded with Lees stereo methodology by Brad from sounds of when a couple of years ago.Speaker binding posts addedLightly used since restoration.Some minor blemishes on the timber surround. One small chip of veneer has come off but I have saved it and it can be easily glued back on. (see pics)This unit cost me approx. $1800 direct from Brad.Wonderful warmish full Sansui sound with a better mids and highs thanks to Lees stereo upgrade.Fully operational with all functions flawless. All dials and switches operate beautifully -
This is a hard pass on price unless there’s exceptional provenance or a serious restoration story: at A$1,150, it sits well above the comparable market’s A$896 75th percentile and far over the A$647 median, so it reads ambitious rather than fair. For a vintage integrated like this, that’s only defensible if the unit is fully serviced, original, and notably cleaner than average.
The upside is the usual Sansui one: these are loved for a warm, punchy presentation and solid build, and the AU-555 has genuine collector appeal as an early-era piece. That said, age is the timing factor here—older Sansui gear can sound wonderful, but it also commonly needs recap work, switch cleaning, and bias/offset checks, so at this price I’d want proof of recent servicing, original knobs/covers, and a fully honest functional test before considering it.
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.
