Sansui 3900 (c. 1976–1977)

The model number “3900” shows up in period Sansui advertising in two forms - the AU 3900 integrated amplifier and the TU 3900 FM tuner. Whether a standalone “Sansui 3900” receiver or integrated unit was ever produced isn’t clearly documented in surviving records. Most references treat the AU and TU as separate components sold as a matching pair. What follows is what the period magazine record preserves.

The AU 3900 was a modest integrated amplifier. Audio (January 1977, p.49) and HiFI-Stereo (1976, p.43) both gave its rated output as 22 watts per channel, minimum RMS, both channels driven into 8 ohms from 40 Hz to 20 kHz, with no more than 0.15% total harmonic distortion. The same ads listed its price at less than $160. The TU 3900 tuner, sold alongside it, had an IHF sensitivity of 11.2 dBf (2.0 µV) and selectivity better than 60 dB at 400 kHz, also priced under $160. High Fidelity (August 1976, p.57) carried essentially the same specifications in its ad pages. That suggests the lineup came out around mid-1976 and stayed available into 1977.

Beyond these ad-derived specs, very little has survived. No service manual, schematic, or independent test report for the 3900-series has turned up in the usual archives.

If you own an AU 3900 or TU 3900 and can fill in the blanks on build quality, sound character or common quirks, the Archive would welcome the record.

AU 3900 (integrated amplifier): 22 W/ch RMS (8 Ω, 40 Hz–20 kHz, both channels driven), ≤0.15% THD. Price: less than $160 (1976–77).
TU 3900 (FM tuner): IHF sensitivity 11.2 dBf (2.0 µV), selectivity >60 dB (400 kHz). Price: less than $160 (1976–77).
Period magazine ads: Audio (Jan 1977, p.49), HiFI-Stereo (1976, p.43), High Fidelity (Aug 1976, p.57).