Sansui AU 555A (1970–1972)
The Sansui AU 555A is a solid-state integrated amplifier from the company's "A" series, built during the golden age of Japanese amplifier design. It sat above the entry-level AU-101 and below the more powerful AU-999, a balance of performance and price that kept it selling for Sansui over a long run. It delivers 26 watts per channel into 8 ohms. That's modest by modern standards, but plenty for the efficient speakers of the era. The sound is warm, smooth and musical, with a detailed midrange, good bass control and a non-fatiguing top end. It pairs well with a variety of speakers.
Studio-Sound (September 1971, p.58) noted that the AU-555A was already one of Sansui’s best-sellers, highlighting its SEPP-ITL-OTL circuitry, separable pre- and power amplifier sections, triple tone controls, and direct-coupled design, with a power bandwidth of 20 to 40,000 Hz and distortion under 0.5%. The direct-coupled OCL output stage and dual power supply were key technical features, giving the amp a clean, stable platform. The phono stage supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and the inclusion of pre-out/main-in jacks added flexibility for external equalizers or electronic crossovers—a thoughtful touch for the era.
Build quality is solid and reliability is generally good, though age takes its toll. The common restoration jobs are aging electrolytic capacitors, dirty potentiometers and selector switches, the occasional failed transistor in the driver stages, and burned-out bulbs behind the indicators. Recap it and check the DC offset before regular use.
The AU 555A has a modest but steady collector following. Prices typically fall in the $200-$400 range depending on condition and cosmetics. It earns a 7/10 collectibility rating. It's not a flagship, but it sounds good, it's dependable, and it doesn't command a premium.
Known specifications:
- Power output: 26 W per channel into 8 Ω (stereo)
- Circuitry: Direct-coupled OCL output stage, dual power supply
- Controls: Triple tone controls, loudness switch
- Connections: Pre-out/main-in jacks, phono (MM/MC), tape
- Production years: 1970–1972
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