Sansui

Origins of Sansui

Sansui Electric Co., Ltd., founded in 1947 in Tokyo, Japan, by Kosaku Kikuchi, began as a transformer manufacturer. Kikuchi started his private radio parts manufacturing facility in December 1944 in Yoyogi, Tokyo, due to the poor quality of radio parts he encountered. Initially focusing on transformers, the company expanded its product line to include pre-amplifiers and amplifiers by 1954. In 1958, Sansui introduced its first stereo tube pre- and main amplifiers, marking a significant milestone in its history.

Sansui’s reputation for producing high-quality audio components grew in the 1960s, and the company developed a range of audio equipment, including turntables. The first Sansui turntable was produced in 1967, nine years before the launch of the SR-525 model in 1976. The SR-525 featured advanced technology for its time, such as a direct drive motor and quartz speed control with a built-in strobe light, making it a sought-after product among audiophiles.

Over the years, Sansui became known for its matte-black-faced AU-series amplifiers, which were released since 1965, and its high-end audio components. Despite facing competition from other brands like Sony, Pioneer, and Technics in the mid-1980s, Sansui continued to manufacture high-end components in Japan and focused on producing high-quality audio equipment.