Sanusui AU-777 Integrated Amplifier -

I really enjoy the idea of an integrated amplifier.  Basic, simple and like a receiver, just one unit. To date I have owned nine different ones that I can think of.  High power, low power, lots of features, no features.  Loved them all.  

I have  discovered that I especially enjoy listening to low powered early transistor amplifiers, ones that are capacitor coupled.  They have such rich tone, with a silky midrange and robust but accurate bass.  The highs are super smooth and not harsh.  I think that this is because in the early transistor days, manufacturers paid attention to ‘voicing’ their amplifiers.  Especially Japanese manufacturers.  

The Japanese are music fanatics.  It’s such an intregal part of their lives.  Plays, musicals, concerts, and today the many Jazz Kissa coffee shops and pubs.  Music is in the streets and literally into every retail space you go.  I am not talking about MUZAK here, but real music being selected, played and enjoyed by all and usually in the analog format.  

One of the finest listening experiences I’ve ever enjoyed has come from my Sansui AU-777.

The AU-777 is Sansui’s first transistor amplifier, coming right after the all tubed Sansui AU-111.  

Rated at 25 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load, it has plenty of power to drive most any speaker system to an uncomfortable level.  It’s true, that 90% of the time we listen we use little more than maybe 10-12 watts per channel.  The AU-777 is a masterpiece of design and execution.  This amp is loaded with character.  It’s sonic bliss, and soupy sweet.  The amp throws a deep, wide and coherent sound stage, with precise placement of instruments.  Female vocals are especially pleasant.  Jazz trios are live in your living room.  Solo guitar and piano pieces can fool you into thinking you’re at a live event, with its three dimensional tone. 

The build quality is superlative.  I have included some shots of the switching gear and tone controls.  Yes, those are all individual resistors wired in. 

The elegant black front face is engraved and painted in Sansui green, off-white and pure white.  Delicate, intricate and beautiful.  You just don’t see details like this anymore.

These amps come up for sale on occasions, but this one here is from 1967 and has been kept in exceptional condition.  I had the unit recapped by hi-fi guru Nabeel in Crest Hill Illinois.  His talents for restoring audio equipment is unmatched.  

I recommend this amplifier without hesitation.  Unquestionably one of the finest amps I’ve ever owned, and sonically nearly identical to the Sansui AU-111.  Obviously these were ‘voiced’ by the same engineering team.  Sansui later continued this with the AU-777A, with triple tone controls.  Also an excellent sounding unit, but some of the later ones have standard pots and controls.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but they don’t have the same tactile feel that the AU-777 has.  

Just a joy to own and listen to.  Another amp I kick myself for selling for all the reasons listed above.  More to come!