Sansui - TU 555 Tuner Japanese Design Delight COLLECTABLE Tuner

Sansui TU-555

Step into the golden age of hi-fi radio with the Sansui TU-555, a beautifully designed solid-state FM/AM tuner that blends vintage charm with serious performance. Forged in Japan in the late 1960s, the TU-555 boasts a striking round-dial display illuminated behind a black aluminum faceplate — an aesthetic statement that pairs beautifully with its sibling Sansui amps like the AU-555 or AU-222.

Beyond its looks, this tuner is engineered for audio purity. It employs a 3-row varicon tuning system with FET in the RF stage, delivering high sensitivity even in weak signal areas. A four-stage IF amplifier, a three-stage limiter, and a stabilized power supply (using zener diodes) ensure stable, clean reception. Sansui even eliminated the need for AFC (automatic frequency control) by thermally compensating the front end, minimizing dial drift — a truly elegant solution.

When tuned into FM stereo, the TU-555’s noise canceler circuit preserves high-frequency detail without resorting to crude high-cut filtering. The front panel also offers a field-strength meter and a switch between “FM Auto,” “FM Mono,” and “AM,” giving you nuanced control over reception. Whether you’re chasing faint stations from the fringes or enjoying strong local broadcasts, this tuner delivers with warmth, clarity, and that unmistakable vintage character.

In short: the Sansui TU-555 is not just a radio tuner — it's a collectible centerpiece, built with analog craftsmanship and serious analog soul.


---

Technical Specifications

key specs for the Sansui TU-555:

Spec Value

Type Mono/Stereo tuner
Tuning Bands FM (VHF) and MW / AM
Tuning Range FM: 88–108 MHz MW: 535–1,605 kHz
Input Sensitivity ~2.5 µV (FM), 20 µV (MW) per some sources
Signal-to-Noise Ratio ~60 dB (FM)
Distortion (THD) ~0.8% (FM)
Selectivity ~45 dB (FM), ~20 dB (MW)
Output ~1,500 mV (Rec / Audio Out)
Frequency Response ~30 Hz – 15 kHz
Channel Separation ~35 dB (stereo)
IF / Image Rejection IF suppression: ~60 dB Image rejection: ~50 dB
Crosstalk Attenuation ~34 dB @ 1 kHz
Special Features FM auto / mono switch, AM switch, MPX (multiplex) filter, muting, field-strength meter
Power Consumption ~10 W
Dimensions ~345 × 155 × 334 mm (according to some sources)
Weight ~3.9 kg



---

Production Years & Historical Context

The Sansui TU-555 was manufactured roughly from 1968 to 1973.

It made its debut in June 1968, with a Japanese list price of ¥28,900.

Built in Japan, it reflects Sansui’s mid-century design philosophy — combining rugged engineering with elegant, retro styling.

Please see the detailed photographs provided as they form part of the description and sale. We do not garantee vintage electronics for obvious reasons (item is nearly 50 years old) and will probably require an ongoing technical care or service in her near future to ensure her smooth continuous service.

Please know that we ship this item as working with our custom double box and bubble wrap system. We pack with the safety of the item not for economy.