Sansui AU-222 (1968)
A solid-state integrated amplifier released in June 1968, featuring all-silicon transistor design and dual phono inputs with selectable impedance.
Overview
The Sansui AU-222 is a solid-state integrated amplifier produced by Sansui Electric Co., Ltd. It was released in June 1968 and features a fully transistorized design using silicon components throughout. The unit includes two phono inputs with different impedances—Phono1 at 47kΩ and Phono2 at 100kΩ—allowing compatibility with a range of MM cartridges and enabling tonal customization based on cartridge and listener preference.
Specifications
| Year of Production | 1968 |
| Power output per channel | 18W + 18W (8 Ω) |
| Rated output Music Power | 46W ± 1 dB (8 Ω) |
| Harmonic distortion factor | Not more than 0.8% |
| Intermodulation distortion factor | Not more than 0.8% (60 Hz : 7 kHz = 4 : 1) |
| Power Band With (IHF) | 20 Hz ~ 20000 Hz (8 Ω) |
| Frequency characteristic | 20 Hz to 30 kHz ± 1 dB |
| Channel separation | 50 dB or more |
| Output impedance | 4 Ω ~ 16 Ω |
| Damping factor | 20 or more (8 Ω) |
| Hum and noise (IHF) Residual noise | 80 dB or more |
| Hum and noise Phono | 60 dB or more |
| Hum and noise AUX | 65 dB or more |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance Phono1 | 2 mV ± 3dB / 47k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance Phono2 | 2 mV ± 3dB / 100k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance Tape Head | 1.5 mV / 200k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance AUX1,2 | 150 mV ± 3dB / 100k Ω |
| Input Sensitivity / Impedance Tape Monitor | 150 mV ± 3dB / 40k Ω |
| Recorded output Pin | 150 mV |
| Recorded output Din | 30 mV |
| Tone control Bass | 50 Hz, ± 10 dB |
| Tone control Treble | 10 kHz, +12 dB to -14 dB |
| Loudness control (Volume-30dB) | 50 Hz : +8 dB, 10 kHz : +3 dB |
| Low filter | 50 Hz : -10 dB |
| High filter | 15 kHz : -11 dB |
| Semiconductor used Transistor | 18 |
| Semiconductor used Diode | 6 pcs |
| Power supply voltage | AC100V/117V/220V/240V, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 100 VA (Maximum Output) |
| External dimensions | Width 292 x Height 111 x Depth 267 mm |
| Weight | 5.8 kg |
| Original price | ¥28,700 |
Design
The AU-222 uses silicon transistors in all stages, including epitaxial silicon power transistors and specially selected low-noise silicon transistors in the equalizer circuits. The power amplifier section employs a SEPP-ITL-OTL system using a complementary Darlington circuit configuration. All amplifier stages from input to output are constructed as negative feedback (NF) amplifiers. The unit includes a protection circuit with a power limiter that prevents excessive drive signals from reaching the power transistors, along with a short-circuit fuse. It also features a dedicated power transformer designed using Sansui’s proprietary transformer technology. Accessories include high and low filters, loudness control, DIN connector, tape monitor circuit, and headphone jack.
Product Family
The AU-222 belongs to Sansui's AU series of integrated amplifiers and shares the same silicon power transistor as the higher-end AU-555 model.
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