Sansui AU317 Mk II amplifier

In 1979, the Sansui range evolved from Mk I to Mk II, the difference were minimal, like the front label going from a rubber-based thick badge to a white serigraphy printed on the metal front plate, and a scale up in output power.

This AU-317 was in the middle of the range and is visually "very Sansui". Black, big solid buttons and switches; clean, modern white labels. The 3 first models can be called the "slim" line, while from the AU-417 and over the heigth almost doubles (and nowadays these big Sansui tend to be a bit too pricey on our opinion, or at least when restored to command prices that compare to other amplifiers we covet more).    

Rack handles were sold as an option, that seems to attracts some people nowadays as we refer to the number of reproductions available on eBay.

Serious gear, as was the price back in the day for Sansui gear. Let's go to the point. No surprises, the sound is superb. We felt it punchy, agile, warm and detailed. The phono is excellent, the bass is there, the mids and treble are very refined. The imaging is clean and large as well. This very fine piece of equipment can drive anything without being overloaded.

We put below one presentation video that we completely align to, will it be the philosophy or the amplifier review itself. 

Finished in black.