Old Sansui kit

[Pigmy Pony]

I've been given a few Sansui components that have been languishing in his loft for a couple of decades. I know nowt about them and neither does my brother (they belonged to my youngest brother who, because of the way he has behaved over recent years ain't getting them back).

Anyway, first out of the box is a Sansui P-D10 turntable. It's direct drive auto return, and very tidy apart from the lid being quite scuffed (any suggestions?). Cartridge is an Ortofon VMS20E Mk 2, which apparently aren't crap, and this one looks to be in good shape.

https://www.rehifi.se/pub_images/original/Sansui-P-D10-47314.JPG
Not my actual deck

I connected the deck to my second system's amp (Arcam A75) put on an old copy of Hunky Dory... and it sounds terrible! Really tinny with no bass, and I had to turn the amp right up to get much sound. Further investigations revealed that the amp's phono input has a dip switch next to it for if you choose to have that as a line level. :doh: Well I didn't know that.

Turns out the deck sounds great, which sort of complicates things. My intention was to see if it worked then sell on Ebay or something. Now I'm thinking I want to keep the thing, but I know that won't go down well with the boss when she gets home...

In the meantime I'm off out to the van to see what else is in the box.

[walpurgis]

Well the arm looks a lower mass type, so what looks like an Ortofon or derivative cart is probably suitable. Should sound decent enough, smart looking bit of kit.

[Pigmy Pony]

Yes it does sound decent to my ears, right now playing a copy of Bryan Ferry's "Boys and Girls", which was also in the box.

Anyway, next out of the box is a Sansui cassette deck, D55M. Looks cheap as chips, bog basic and weighs next to nothing. Already had a tape residing in it, which is helpful as I don't own any. But the thing won't power up, and because it looks so cheap, and the belts have probably turned to liquorice, I can't even be bothered to try changing the fuse in case that's the problem. One for the bin I think.

Finally, this:

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzYwWDE2MDA=/z/62kAAOSw8jBhAa3f/$_1.JPG

Sansui R303 L stereo receiver. This looks to be ok, the casework is mint, but controls a bit crackly. I didn't want to risk buggering up my speakers, but through the headphones sounds ok - found a couple of stations with a strong enough signal to not need aerial.

Not sure what to do with this one - probably needs a service or at least a clean up inside, and that Caig Deoxit probably costs more than the thing is worth.

Oh well, one out of three ain't bad.

[Pigmy Pony]

If I can get the lid to look as mint as the rest of the t/t, it will be a keeper.

[prestonchipfryer]

The cartridge looks more like an OM5 or OM10 Ortofon but not the Ortofon VMS20E Mk 2, which would suit the TT well.

[struth]

Yes it does sound decent to my ears, right now playing a copy of Bryan Ferry's "Boys and Girls", which was also in the box.

Anyway, next out of the box is a Sansui cassette deck, D55M. Looks cheap as chips, bog basic and weighs next to nothing. Already had a tape residing in it, which is helpful as I don't own any. But the thing won't power up, and because it looks so cheap, and the belts have probably turned to liquorice, I can't even be bothered to try changing the fuse in case that's the problem. One for the bin I think.

Finally, this:

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzYwWDE2MDA=/z/62kAAOSw8jBhAa3f/$_1.JPG

Sansui R303 L stereo receiver. This looks to be ok, the casework is mint, but controls a bit crackly. I didn't want to risk buggering up my speakers, but through the headphones sounds ok - found a couple of stations with a strong enough signal to not need aerial.

Not sure what to do with this one - probably needs a service or at least a clean up inside, and that Caig Deoxit probably costs more than the thing is worth.

Oh well, one out of three ain't bad.

about a ton in great nick mate

[Macca]

try T-Cut on the lid, if you have any, not really worth buying a whole bottle for it.

or this is cheap but I never tried it https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polywatch-Acrylic-Plastic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B07F2QGVXG/ref=asc_df_B07F2QGVXG?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814161489190&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413739996471&psc=1

[Pigmy Pony]

The cartridge looks more like an OM5 or OM10 Ortofon but not the Ortofon VMS20E Mk 2, which would suit the TT well.

The deck pictured isn't mine. The cartridge on mine does say Ortofon VMS20E Mk 2. Exactly the same as this one:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UhAAAOSwdX5cs~Ac/s-l1600.jpg

[struth]

cart is 150 worth new

[Pigmy Pony]

cart is 150 worth new

This one is 40 years old, but won't have been used for at least 30 of those years. Although it sounds well is there a way I can check the condition of the cartridge? I'm leaning towards keeping this deck - it may be worth more to me than the 50 quid or so it might sell for.

[struth]

one of those pc magnifiers will show the tip well but a strongish glass say x10 etc will give you an idea. check suspension is ok too but if it sounds good its likely fine. sanusi stuff were fairly good

[Beobloke]

Fur the turntable lid, you can’t dig wrong with Brasso and a bit of elbow grease. Brings lids up a treat and gets scratches out nicely.

For the receiver, don’t waste your money on overpriced stuff like Deoxit. Servisol (now Kontakt Chemie) Super 10 is much cheaper and just as effective.

As to the cassette deck - don’t bin it! Rumours have it that it’s quite a decent performer for a budget deck. If you offer it up for free I’m sure someone will save it.

[walpurgis]

Sansui R303 L stereo receiver. This looks to be ok, the casework is mint, but controls a bit crackly. I didn't want to risk buggering up my speakers, but through the headphones sounds ok - found a couple of stations with a strong enough signal to not need aerial.

Not sure what to do with this one - probably needs a service or at least a clean up inside, and that Caig Deoxit probably costs more than the thing is worth.

Could just be lack of use. Keep it switched on for a few hours using headphones so you can hear what it's like and work all the controls and switches a lot. You'll probably find the crackles quieten down.

No doubt whipping the case off and carefully dusting inside with a softish brush and a can of compressed air (air duster) won't hurt.

[Pigmy Pony]

Fur the turntable lid, you can’t dig wrong with Brasso and a bit of elbow grease. Brings lids up a treat and gets scratches out nicely.

For the receiver, don’t waste your money on overpriced stuff like Deoxit. Servisol (now Kontakt Chemie) Super 10 is much cheaper and just as effective.

As to the cassette deck - don’t bin it! Rumours have it that it’s quite a decent performer for a budget deck. If you offer it up for free I’m sure someone will save it.

Thanks for the suggestions Adam. As for the cassette deck - I'll het it advertised on here free of charge tomorrow, if I can get a pic posted, which I believe is a requirement.

[Pigmy Pony]

Could just be lack of use. Keep it switched on for a few hours using headphones so you can hear what it's like and work all the controls and switches a lot. You'll probably find the crackles quieten down.

No doubt whipping the case off and carefully dusting inside with a softish brush and a can of compressed air (air duster) won't hurt.

More good advice. Thanks Geoff.

[Pigmy Pony]

one of those pc magnifiers will show the tip well but a strongish glass say x10 etc will give you an idea. check suspension is ok too but if it sounds good its likely fine. sanusi stuff were fairly good

Cheers Grant. Can I ask a favour of you? If I send you a couple of pics of the tape deck tomorrow, could you post them for me please? You know I'm hopeless at that sort of thing.