Ahhh. . .dual mono designed integrated amps. Something only a true audio-geek could drool over. The AU/TU line is my favorite "separates" group from the mid 1970's. Designed to last decades, beautiful, clean sound - what more could you ask for? 65 watts per channel of clean power. Here's a great Sansui site.How does it sound? Wonderful - full, rich, unpretentious. Sounds like I'm describing a fine wine. . .Well, it holds true to this amplifier as well as my AU-717. People wanting to know the difference in sound between the Sansui AU-517 and AU-717 can look no further - this isn't any. Not in my book, anyway. I never did a side-by-side/AB test with them, but they are essentially the same internally and sounded the same to me. These amps provide plenty of power to just about any size speaker and sound very sweet.
Have any info, photos, video links, or stories about your Sansui AU-517? Please leave a comment or email me.
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just bought a Sansui AU-517 along with the SP-X 6700 speakers. having a blast! Hemant Chaturvedi, Mumbai, India
ReplyDeletefound an AU-517 2 a flee market. it sounds realy good .BUT at half way on the volume it cuts out,then comes on then cuts out until i turn it down. any suggestions.?
ReplyDeleteLook inside have the capacitors blown.A common problem.
DeleteUse Deoxit on it liberally. Check some audiophile forums and CONGRATULATIONS a great buy!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree both the AU-517 & 717 are indeed superb integrated amps and deserve a place even in today's hifi world - They posses virtually the same sonic lines and build quality.
ReplyDeleteBut one important thing remember are that these amps are over 30+ years old and it is highly recommended that they be recapped to preserve their already great life-cycle and prevent catastrophic failure which may lead to an expensive repair bill.
just picked up an AU-517 at a yard sale for $ 10 and it is by far the best sounding amp I have ever owned , I have a pair of vintage sansui sp - 2500's and a BSR eq 3000 and a KD 550 turntable , very happy with my setup !
ReplyDeleteCan you help to explain what is meant by "recapped"?
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I use the term "recap" to describe replacing the capacitors (and/or resistors) within a piece of equipment.
Deletemy 517 volume shuts down moments after i increase the volume to about 4 or 5, i've read about the contact cleaner spray just not sure on where to be spraying or if there's a bigger issue. also is there a you tube tutorial on this problem. im sure missing my 517 can someone help
ReplyDeleteHi - Your best bet is to spend some money and have a qualified repair person look into this. Although built like tanks with quality components, these units are close to 40 years old now and many internal components need to be checked and replaced in order to provide another few decades of worry-free service. I've never used this vendor, but, if you don't mind shipping your amp to him, it looks like a fair deal. Best of luck to you - Tom: http://goo.gl/vK2nnc
DeleteHad my 517 since 1978 bought it from new gave it to my mother who was a classical buff
DeleteI bought a Pioneer amp a star at the time but no a patch on the Sansui for richness. When Mum passed away I got it back so there it sits in my lounge after all these years. Still sounds the same when I go I'm sure my son will want it I hope so keep it in the family.
Still got mine from new 1978 au-517 mint condition.
ReplyDeleteGot a AU-517 last September for $10 all it needed was some Deoxit on the power/pre-amp switch and some cleaning! Every voltage is within spec and no leaky caps! YAY!
ReplyDeleteFantastic integrated. Sound to die for and one of the best ever made. I use to sell AU-517s in a stereo store and nothing else we sold sounded better.
ReplyDeleteLove this hunk of metal. Thank you FB marketplace for knowing that I liked stuff like this. Picked up both the amp and tuner for $60 bucks. A couple of fuses later and voila!
ReplyDeleteThese sansui au - 517 are bang on amps pure quality built all alloy knobs built to last and awesome sound it runs my kefs flawless .
ReplyDeleteWhat is the power pre amp switch for .?
ReplyDeleteI have a 517 still in original box with paper work
ReplyDelete