Saw a garage sales thread selling this amplifier Sansui AU-3900, can you all give some opinions, I intend buy it to drive passive speakers with impedance range from

5ohm to 8ohm

power range:
35WX2RMS

Besides, not sure it can drive Sennheiser HD 598 as well provided it has a phone jack

Looks OK, as its power output is just a bit less than your speakers. Also from information on the net, it could drive load impedances from 4 to 8 Ohms. Since its quite old, make sure its still in good working condition by requesting for a test if possible...

Sansui by brand is a known brand in audio industry and their amplifiers are well respected. Model AU-3900 should be able to satisfy your needs within reasonable means.. hopefully you get a good price for it. Good luck.

hmm, I also worry that it's too old to work.


Regarding the price, it's about 500, seem cheap as most amplifier is sucking my blood out



From most integrated amplifiers I have surveyed, all so expensive , i prefer something size and feature as light as O2 amp

Restoration will do the job. but might be exp if you want good component

You might need to compete with me because I'm also eyeing on it

Well, good things don't come cheap, especially if its a sought after make.
This a vintage from mid 70's, capacitors likely dried or will dry up soon. Anything old needs some attention or restoration work for another lease of life. If can DIY, it'll be cheaper, otherwise factor in another expense for restoration.
These amplifiers use phenolic material PCB, can easily be damaged if not careful with soldering skill. 2SB/2SD type bipolar output transistors, no more production and obsolete.
My 2 sen.


P.S. Just checked the schematic, headphone output tapped from speaker line.

This post has been edited by bsl555: Aug 15 2013, 05:26 PM

Been reading up on vintage amplifiers, turns out it's common practice to do that.

Yes..its common because opamps weren't available and a simple transistor drive would increase cost. Tapping from output is the easiest and cost next to nothing other than 2 resistor droppers.

So, the reason for getting this Sansui is that it fits your budget? Ie 'cheap'?
If an amplifier is what you're after, like bsl mentioned there are alternatives like DIY. Amplifier kits are available and with equivalent or cheaper budget you can get a decent amp with reasonable good casing and audio grade/quality components... There is a thread about it here in the forum. If you don't have the skill, may be some good soul can do it for you for a 'small' fee... All you need to do is ask. :-)

If TS is like what jazzy939 said, I willing offer my help on soldering de-soldering part if want to restoration or DIY if TS dun have the skill
What i have might be skill and soul but no money to play with

Thank you for you all kind and precious opinions. Hmm, if this one cheap and need maintenance, I can increase budget to about 1K then, what would you recommend then? If want buy new one with less maintenance works

haha, sifu you can take to test first, me slow slow cari...coz i also not yet got a set of bookshelf speakers

haha, sifu you can take to test first, me slow slow cari...coz i also not yet got a set of bookshelf speakers

if you just want to power 2 normal bookshelf speaker i think a budget small amp will do the job
maybe something like T-Amp?

Eh ha whut wat. I'm no sifu

What would you recommend then? I got a Lepai 2020A T-amp, but it's power is limited though, so would like to have a better one

Lepai 2020A T-amp using TA2020 chipset 2x20W (4Ω)

Lets say if want to stick with T-amp then try get some amp using:
TA2021B chipset 2x25W (4Ω)
TA2022 chipset 2x90W (4Ω)

Not sure about other chipset sounds but there is someone selling Topping T-amp. I used Topping TP30 before low power amp using TA2024 2x15W. Sound is quite good(for the price) for me although not enough power. However there is still plenty of choice outside.

Can list some choices for me to survey? I have checked the topping amp too, they are pretty famous.

It seems that we can find a perfect DAC but we not able to find a perfect amplifier right? Power grow infinitely can be uncontrollable

This post has been edited by wim1983: Aug 16 2013, 09:07 AM

Having built and used few T-Amps, I'd say you need 'real' amp will 'real' power to be satisfied.. Even the modest and infamous NAD 3020 that is rated at 20w per channel can give you a long lasting satisfaction. Also a very old model with similar risks of drying caps and all...
My point is get a proper commercial amp to start with. It can be a long while till your next upgrade...

Can have a look here, hope it will help ur survey
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...8260&hl=topping

I am aiming this: Topping TP-41 Class T Digital Amplifier

-Using Tripath TA2021B
-Output Power 2 x 25W
-Auto/Manual input selection
-Headphone-AMP included
-2 input sources


https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2658260/all

It's good to have 2 input switch and optional headphone switch, just wonder it will work with Sennheiser HD 598?

You got the point man~
That's the reason i sold of my Topping. cant be satisfy

But then TS have limited budget i think
For me i will go for good old amp with lower price hope and do restoration on all the cap.

WHere can get a new NAD3020? So such amp also can have "run-out" capacitors with some age?

Everyday sure in the garage sales and hope someone sell it.
Hmm, regarding capacitor, all electrolytic capacitor will "run-out".

Me got 1 unit of AU3900 at hand,1 channel got problem.Haven't got time to get it fix yet.

If you are planning to drive a headphone,then the hiss noise will be the main concern.

This hiss noise is memang beginning got or because the channer problem?

Even a working one will have,as you know those old days technology

yea...furthermore the headphone output is tap from the speaker output

hmm, thank your for the kind reminder, somehow in the end I will get an O2 amp xD.

Just that it will be good to have headphone switch for an AMP

how about bookshelf speaker u mentioned

You heard of the xls-encore?

http://www.curveacoustics.com/

i mean what you plan to power your bookshelf speaker?

I think I will go for Topping amp then, since those Marantz, NAD, Onkyo amp is not affordable to me

if you wan go for big amp like the one you say au-3900 you might need to prepare MAYBE around RM100 to do restoration on Capacitor only...

but if you dont have such requirement on big amp den Topping should be hassle free for you

If on a tight budget, some older Home Theater receiver can be good for music. Got FM tuner sommore!..
Old HT amps can be found on the cheap. They can't be any worse than 30 year old amplifiers.

Most capacitors especially electrolytic ones do age over time (usually capacitance decreases and ESR increases). The only exception is C0G/NP0 ones (considered as the near perfect dielectric). Thus the first ones to check are always the capacitors in the power supply section...

Probably the noise floor of the power amplifier...

This post has been edited by lex: Aug 16 2013, 03:13 PM

Agreed! I got 'a few' either at 'throw way' prices or given for free!
This is a good start.. Branded too like Yamaha and Kenwood.

Anyway, a quick search at hifi4sale, there are a few integrated amps between 500-600.. One recapped NAD 3020 was going for RM780...
Your call guys.

This post has been edited by jazzy939: Aug 16 2013, 03:08 PM