Sansui AU-7700 Integrated Amplifier

If you see one, buy it! Introduced in 1974, the Sansui AU-7700 was probably the most popular of this series.  

Rated conservatively at 54 wpc, this little beast is fully packed under the hood with a fully complimentary  Dual Power Supply triple stage Darlington Amplifier.  The result was sound with weight, authority and sonic bliss.  

Sansui had been on a roll since the mid-sixties with quality power amps, receivers, and integrated amplifiers.  Here in the mid-seventies they were at their peak.  Construction was exemplary, heavy engraved faceplates, thick wall steel construction for the housing, premium quality circuit boards, and the famous Sansui transformers, always oversized and up to the task.  I have always believed that they contributed greatly to the “Sansui” sound and effortless power delivery.  

I used this amp for quite awhile as an integrated and occasionally as a preamp.  In both instances it was exceptional.  As an integrated amp with modest power rating the Sansui punched well above what specs would indicate.  

Absolutely more powerful sounding than my McIntosh MA6100 rated at 70 wpc, more powerful than my Project/ONE MarkXXI rated at 70 wpc.  It drove my vintage Definitive Technology BP10’s with ease, and I don’t remember my EPI 100’s sounding better.

As a preamp, the phone section is exceptional, the preamp is full featured with triple tone controls with turnovers, twin stage loudness and muting controls, two full tape circuits, two phone stages, one with selectable impedance, tuner and two aux inputs.  Low and high filtering complete the set.  

It would be hard to imagine needing more from a preamplifier, and this one is beautifully voiced.  Vocals are exceptionally smooth with a velvety touch of texture , the high end is wet and transparent, the bottom end is where this amp really shines.  Bass is reproduced with punch, tone, touch and texture.  Just an exceptional sound.

The power amplifier is also directly coupled, and the fully complementary amp is really noticeable in this application.

You can always “hear” a cap coupled amp, or a quasi-complementary powered amp or a tube amp for that matter.  Fully complimentary amps, are harder to define, many of them end up sounding harsh and sterile.  I am thinking the later big Technics power amps and receivers, also some Kenwood’s from the late seventies.  But Sansui always did an exceptional job with their amplifiers, regardless of the electronic architecture.  I must say, Pioneer did well in this area too.

I liked everything about the AU-7700, and wish I had never sold it. It was exceptionally well made, sounded great, looked fantastic and did everything one would expect.  But it also did a touch more.  It had that Sansui magic when it game to tone and feel.  It's so hard to explain, but it's something you immediately notice when you hear it.  I guess I have used the expression before, that it has a touch of color to it.  But its wonderful and engaging, and similar to what you experience when listening live.

The soundstage is phenomenal with this amplifier.  Wide open and detailed.

I had the matching TU-7700 tuner, which I often used and found it to be excellent.  

There is nothing negative to report about the Sansui AU-7700.  Just a wonderful sounding piece and one that I recommend without hesitation.  More to come!