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Bought on eBay last year from a collectors set. I have since had both of these units serviced: Alpha Tech Electronics, St Louis Both units are in exellent condition. Amplifier is pushing 190 watts per. channel.I would like to sell both units as a set.Very nice and clean units.
Compared with a modern integrated or a restored 200-watt power amp, US$6,000 is ambitious for a BA-3000 unless this is exceptionally original, documented, and cosmetically outstanding. That said, the model is a serious late-’70s Sansui statement piece: 170 WPC into 8 ohms, 340 W mono, and it’s part of the same design family as the BA-5000, which is exactly why collectors chase it.
For a buyer, the upside is mostly in collector-grade appeal and big, authoritative vintage Sansui sound rather than bargain performance. One recent public listing showed a US$1,450 asking price for a working example, which makes US$6,000 look far above normal used territory. If you’re considering it, insist on recent service records, proof it runs cool and stable, and original cosmetics; at this level, condition and provenance matter more than the badge alone.
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.
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