[tdogzthmn]

I recently picked up and refurbished a Sansui AU-517 integrated amp for my primary system. The amp is being used primarily to drive my speakers but I was surprised by how good the headphone output is this amp.

I have owned several other integrated amps and usually find their headphone out to be lacking. The 517 puts out a very clean distortion free signal with a very quiet background. My last integrated amp was a Rouge Audio Sphinx which also had a headphone output but unfortunately the headphone out suffered from noise and distortion at moderate volumes. So far I have used my AKG K400 and K240DF with the Sansui and found both to sound excellent.

If anyone else is looking for a killer integrated amp that excels with headphones I can highly recommend this Sansui unit!

 

[steppenout]

I second this, once I used the headphone out on my AU-717 I realized I didn't need a dedicated headphone amp. You can find them at a very reasonable price too.

 

[northendjazz]

Yes, so good I bought two, I've used my lowly au2200 with a number of planars for about a year before buying a G-401 receiver. I don't know why I picked sansui but reading Calling All "Vintage" Integrated/Receiver Owners thread convinced me to try something vintage. For the price the 70's sansui's are my choice for solid state and planars.

 

[Topspin70]

Sansui captures the vintage hifi sound perfectly IMHO. Warm, bold yet detailed. And they made such gorgeous looking gear too. Great to see more people getting back into it.

 

[tdogzthmn]

I did spend another $500 to have mine brought up to spec. by a qualified repair shop. I highly recommend doing so if the amp has never been serviced before otherwise you're not going to be getting the most from these vintage amps.

I also love the amp has two phono inputs for both my turntables!

 

[Topspin70]

I did spend another $500 to have mine brought up to spec. by a qualified repair shop. I highly recommend doing so if the amp has never been serviced before otherwise you're not going to be getting the most from these vintage amps.

I also love the amp has two phono inputs for both my turntables!

Indeed. I always wondered about that. Back in the good old days, it must be common for people to own multiple spinners. Guess it's like us having different music sources nowadays, DAPs, CD players, iPhones, etc.

Ditto getting it spec'ed up. Adds many more usable years to the old gem.