This is my Sansui 3300 stereo receiver from 1973. The Sansui 3300 and 5500 receivers were released at the same time, and were concurrent with the Sansui 1000X, 2000X, 4000 and 5000X receivers. All of these were capacitor coupled amplifiers which is the reason they are adored by music lovers everywhere.
A cap-coupled amp has a glorious, smooth mid-range, and a punchy natural sounding bass. The highs are superb, but not as sweet as perhaps the later Sansui XX1 series of receivers which are quasi-complimentary amplifiers. Those are much more ‘modern’ sounding than the cap-coupled series of receivers. A cap-coupled amplifier is about as close to listening to a tube amp as your going to get. In some cases, they sound exactly like a good tube amp. So, if you enjoy that sonic character, then seriously consider a cap-coupled amplifier. Sansui voiced these after their line of tube receivers and amplifiers which is a very good thing.
The 3300 and 5500 receivers are ladened with inputs and outputs, and usable features that I wish all receivers had. My Sansui 4000 for example, does not have two full tape monitoring facilities, but the 3300 does. It also has duplicate front panel inputs for a second deck. This is really useful for temporally dubbing to a second deck.
Facilities for a noise reduction system, which will then can be switched into either tape monitor one or two with full recording and monitoring. Also, inputs for a 4channel adapter of which Sansui probably made the best one for those desiring four channel sound.
With the cover off, you can see that this is easily one of the best designed amplifiers from that era. I personally feel that it is much cleaner than the 1000 - 5000 receiver series. The preamp and amplifier sections are completely separate with the preamp section shielded by a metal partition. Also unique to these receivers are the output transistors, cleanly laid out for easy servicing surrounded by a robust set of heat sinks assuring that everything stays cool with running the amplifier hard.
The amplifier is rated at 28wpc, but that is from 20-20,000hz. The 1000-5000 series are usually spec their rating at 1k. At the 1k rating the Sansui 3300 is rated at 45wpc, so it is comparable in power output to the Sansui 4000.
These units were never marketed for sale in the United States, still they are plentiful here. Service men in the late 60’s and early 70’s snapped these up at their local military base PX stores.
Another usable feature is that these are all multi-voltage units and can be used anywhere in the World. Changing voltage is super easy.
The 3300 also had preamp outputs and I used my 3300 as a preamp tuner many times when I wanted a little more power.
I never had a fault or complaint with this receiver. It is beautifully made, eloquent sounding with any program source, with that non-fatiguing cap-coupled sound. The 3300 drove my Definitive Technology BP 10’s with no issues whatsoever. My speakers are slightly modified and have a nominal impedance of about 3ohms.
An audio buddy of mine who has one of these that he uses with a variety of speakers. AR 4’s, KLH 6’s and a set of Klipsch horns. Since they are not as well know as the 1000-5000 counterparts, they can be found for under $500 in excellent condition. In other words, they are a bargain! Remember when you buy one to pull the cover and make sure it’s set to the proper voltage. Then enjoy. These are wonderful receivers!
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