Sansui AU-2200 (1975-1976)
At 8.5kg, it has the heft of serious 1970s engineering in a clean silver chassis
Overview
The Sansui AU-2200 is a stereo integrated amplifier made in Japan between 1975 and 1976. The power rating is modest. It is solid-state, and it comes from a period when Sansui was building a reputation for accessible, well-constructed audio gear. It lacks the wattage of higher-end contemporaries, but the circuitry suggests careful attention to signal path integrity. It was designed for listeners who valued reliability and sonic coherence over raw output, in modest living spaces or secondary systems.
The AU-2200 weighs 8.5kg and measures 420mm wide. It uses 34 transistors and 18 diodes, which makes it a moderately complex discrete design for its class. Two speaker outputs allow A/B selection, handy for owners with multiple pairs of speakers. It is rated at 20 watts per channel into 8Ω, though some documentation reports 10 watts per channel, and collectors still argue about that. Frequency response is stated as 20Hz to 20kHz, with 0.5% total harmonic distortion. That is modest but acceptable for the time.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Sansui Electric Co., Ltd. |
| Model | AU-2200 |
| Type | Stereo Integrated Amplifier |
| Year of Production | 1975-1976 |
| Power Output | 10 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | 0.5% |
| Input Sensitivity | 2.5mV (mic), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (DIN), 150mV (aux) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 70dB (MM), 80dB (aux) |
| Output Impedance | 4 to 16Ω |
| Minimum Speaker Load Impedance | 4Ω |
| Semiconductors | 34 x transistors, 18 x diodes |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 420 x 145 x 305mm |
| Weight | 8.5kg |
| Speaker Outputs | Two pairs |
| Color | Silver |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Key Features
STK016 Output Modules
The amplifier uses STK016 integrated output modules, which are compact multi-transistor assemblies mounted on a dedicated printed circuit board. In the AU-2200 they form the core of the power stage. They are efficient, but they are known to fail over time.
Silver Front Panel Finish
This finish, confirmed by multiple owner reports, gives the amp an understated look - functional rather than flashy.
Two-Pair Speaker Outputs
Owners note two sets of speaker terminals, which allow A/B speaker selection. You can switch between different speaker pairs, perhaps one for nearfield listening and another for room-filling sound, without rewiring anything. The minimum load impedance is specified at 4Ω.
Collectibility & Value
The Sansui AU-2200 trades in the used market at around €275 for units in excellent condition. Value depends heavily on operational status. Because the STK016 output modules are vulnerable, units needing repair are often treated as project lots. Recapping, which means replacing the aging electrolytic capacitors, is a common and often necessary restoration step. Enthusiasts frequently specify Nichicon or Elna Silmic II capacitors for critical audio-path positions. A dedicated speaker terminal upgrade kit is available for owners who want banana plug compatibility. Owners' advice is clear: unless you are prepared for repair work, avoid units not confirmed as fully functional.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Sansui 2000A (1968-1970)
- Sansui 5000X (1969-1971)
- Sansui 6060 (1975-1977)
- Sansui 7000X
- Sansui 881 (1974-1976)
- Braun AUDIO-1 (1965)
- Braun AUDIO-250 (1965)
- Magnavox Component Systems (1972)
- Acoustic Research AR (1967-1976)
- Acoustic Research 11