Here's your chance to get a TOTL Big G.....it's a fixer upper of course, but hey, how often to these come along with a best offer listing?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300289591969&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Not mine, no affiliation, yada yada

Listing and lack of additional pix scare me....:thumbsdn:

What's missing?

Not sure exactly what these go for but in the condition described I think it is waaay too high.

I did not know Montana was the mecca for big vintage receivers. Same seller has also been trying to sell another vintage biggie, a Pioneer SX-1980. It has been re-listed a few times now, not many photos and more coin each time. Both have been discussed about here (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2443640) by a thread started by jim3860.

Regards,
TB

In good working condition, the G33K was regularly over $4k. But that was before the economy went south. If it is missing major stuff like a transformer or driver board and heatsink assembly, $1.5K is too much.

If I were looking for a big Sansui I'd seriosly look at these: Sansui G-22000 Receiver (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-G-22000-Receiver-The-Beast-of-the-80s-ALIVE_W0QQitemZ190282570196QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Electronics_R2?hash=item190282570196&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18) with matching Sansui G-22000 Amplifier (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-G-22000-Amplifier-The-Beast-of-the-80s-ALIVE_W0QQitemZ190282571838QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Electronics_R2?hash=item190282571838&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18) over the G-33000 listed. It is rough and from newer seller, but at least he provided some more photos for a buyer to evaluate.

Regards,
TB

Without the seller specifying WHAT parts are missing, you could be buying little more than an almost-empty case! Not worth the risk, without further information along with more and better pictures.

That said, if the damage is minor and there are only a few, still-available parts missing, that could be a good deal. If someone is interested, they should contact the seller and find out more. IF the seller isn't more forthcoming with information, then pass on it!

In good working condition, the G33K was regularly over $4k. But that was before the economy went south. If it is missing major stuff like a transformer or driver board and heatsink assembly, $1.5K is too much.

I didn't realize they went for that much.Still your right if it is missing those vital pieces it is too much.

If I were looking for a big Sansui I'd seriosly look at these: Sansui G-22000 Receiver (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-G-22000-Receiver-The-Beast-of-the-80s-ALIVE_W0QQitemZ190282570196QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Electronics_R2?hash=item190282570196&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18) with matching Sansui G-22000 Amplifier (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sansui-G-22000-Amplifier-The-Beast-of-the-80s-ALIVE_W0QQitemZ190282571838QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVint age_Electronics_R2?hash=item190282571838&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18) over the G-33000 listed. It is rough and from newer seller, but at least he provided some more photos for a buyer to evaluate.

Regards,
TB
Funny how the auction states it's been babied all it's life and the first thing noticeable is significant corner damage...........!

http://i9.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/2d/b4/2c30_1.JPG

I didn't realize they went for that much.Still your right if it is missing those vital pieces it is too much.

s-dog: $1.5k for a complete good condition fixer is a decent bet. Allowing for $500 in repairs, that's still way below market.

BTW, the G33K is a MUTHA! I saw and heard LBPete's and it is a beast among monsters!

s-dog: $1.5k for a complete good condition fixer is a decent bet. Allowing for $500 in repairs, that's still way below market.

BTW, the G33K is a MUTHA! I saw and heard LBPete's and it is a beast among monsters!

Yeah, but if it's missing major parts there just aren't any parts units.
If say the driver board is gone?
Probably has a huge torodial transformer, is that there?
Not unless I saw it in person.
Casey:thumbsdn:

Someone asked, and the question and response were posted as follows:

Q: Hi. What's the history on this stereo? Does it work at all? Where's all the missing parts? Do have pics of the rest of the sides of the two pieces you can provide? Thanks. Jan-26-09


A: Was purchased through ebay several years ago as a non working unit. Shipped from Texas to Montana both pieces arrived in one large cardboard box. Packing materials were peanuts only. I never attempted to power it up. Most of the damage was confined to the pre-amp/tuner. Arrived with speaker selector switches bent/cracked - but working. Five position selector switch pushed in - now free spinning. Back edges of wood cabinet damaged. One foot on pre-amp missing. The amp is in better shape. One wire rail missing off left side of the amplifier. I'll try and get additional pictures up as time permits. Thanks, Tom

That doesn't sound so bad, to me. Yet another case of bad packing and shipping damage. A headache and a hassle, but not utterly fatal. A few switches and parts that shouldn't be entirely unobtanium would probably have to be rebuilt or (preferably) replaced. No mention of major things missing like circuit boards or transformer. If one could verify that nothing else is wrong with it other than what he says above, it's probably worth the risk, assuming something can be done with those switches. Get it and ship it to a "wonder tech" for a complete going-over, and it'll probably still be worth it. ...assuming all the above is true, and nothing else is being hidden/fraudulent.

Unfortunately, out of my budget at this time, especially after halfway-round-the-world shipping, or else I'd consider it. I can probably get one from Japan (much closer, lower shipping risk and cost) if I really get the itch for one in the future. Hope someone here closer to it gets it and finds it worth the risk, though.

Hmmm, I've been running this through my noodle all day! :scratch2:

I live in Spokane, Washington, which is only 125 Miles from the seller in Noxon, Montana. It might be worth the four hour round trip to see if I can take a look at it.

With the additional info Arkay provided, it might be worth the trip on Saturday. Might see if I can take a look at that SX-1980 he has as well, and report back my findings.

First I've got to run it by the Banker of the House, but she does love the drive up there. :D

Regards,
TB

Nothing sounds too terrible from the description. I wish the seller would just come right out and say it works, but that could be inexperience more than deception. Anyway, the selector switch and some of what he mentions it needs is not exclusive to the G22-33K and could be sourced from a parts G-8000-9000. If the unit is complete enough to be functional the price is fair. If there were more pic's I'd even be interested, but cosmetics is a big factor in my gear and with the very weak images I'm gonna pass.

I live in Spokane, Washington, which is only 125 Miles from the seller in Noxon, Montana. It might be worth the four hour round trip to see if I can take a look at it. Yup, I'd be thinking the same thing if I were that close. :thmbsp:

Congrats Tower Boss! We will be looking forward to your report.

BIG gamble based on what was presented. Seller bought this as a non working unit and never even bothered to plug it in even for a couple years? Ah....yah...OK!

Seller was pretty evasive regarding actual shipping damage. It's one thing to have bent controls and such, it's another when there's obvious hard parts missing that are uber unobtanium unless pulled from another salvaged unit. Was this caused by the shipping or purchased that way? If there's frame damage/crunched/wrinkled iron that's something that really would be difficult to correct properly without resorting to 'masking' over the problem. The missing rail is known only to a G-33k on account of the chrome color. The only pics were of the faces of each piece. He wouldn't supply additional pics and what else might be missing. The selector switch could be as simple as the little rod that goes thru the wafers slid out of it's sleeve or it could be more substantial. Parts from a G-22k will be interchangeable on the pre-amp. The amp is really the most important piece and what sets the G-33k apart from it's little brother. The chrome accents are G-33k only.

Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a project like LBPete's where he ended up basically tearing down and rebuilding the whole thing all over again.

Who knows, it could end up being a bargain buy if given enough time, effort, and dedication to bringing it back. If buyer has the technical knowledge to work on it and fix the internal problem(s) and not have to pay shipping costs to and fro for two large units along with the potentially significant technician repair/restoration costs, then it's certainly worthwhile.

Also, it sounds like Tower Boss bought it with the intention of securing so he could check it out personally first before finalizing the deal. If it turns out to really be a headache in person and misrepresented, I suppose additional concessions could be negotiated or he can walk if necessary......

Good luck and congrats on securing the ULTIMATE vintage receiver of any brand! It's definitely the King of the Hill!

It's also comforting in knowing (for Sansui :music: fans at least) that a downtrodden parts-unit G-33000 is basically worth the same as a Pioneer SX-1980 in excellent condition!

Also, it sounds like Tower Boss bought it with the intention of securing so he could check it out personally first before finalizing the deal.

Hello all,

Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement on this quest. I just had to take it as a sign that both the Pioneer and Sansui literally in my neck of the woods. What are the odds on that?

I have been into running separates / integrated configurations, as I like to intermix components from time to time. Yet had an affinity for getting some of the big receivers of the 70’s at some point. When I planed out one of the built-ins in the house, I laid it out specifically to house these larger pieces. I just was waiting for the right opportunity to come along.

I don’t know if this is it or not, but after close to 2 hours on the phone early yesterday morning with the seller and conferring with two of my resident experts here in Spokane and one in Seattle, I proposed an offer on Sansui that was accepted. It will allow me time to view both the Sansui and the Pioneer if unsold on its current listing. If promising, I look to swing both on terms agreeable between the seller and I.

Locally I have access to a few parts units (One was stepped on by a tech in another shop while cover was off) that utilized similar components and Guru in Seattle has successfully repaired the selector switch on a few of these over the years. If I have to split repair between here and Seattle, expense will be minimal, as my travel expenses are reimbursed through my work. I can just drop off while conducting other business and pickup when ready down the road. I’m fortunate that my Pop has his own Aerospace Machining business to boot.

In speaking with seller, I found out that he has a few other interesting pieces he is planning to sell soon. It will be interesting to lay my eyes on what he has.

Regards,
TB

Congrats! I wouldn't worry about the selector switch. The shaft is known to slide out of position on them and is easily repaired if nothing else is bent on the switch. I repaired one on a G-8000 I had.

Hopefully the cosmetics aren't too bad. I could live with the wooden case being damaged but other things like the faceplate not so much.

...I proposed an offer on Sansui that was accepted....
The listing shows that a full price offer was accepted? The offer was exactly equal to the BIN price.

Congrats! I wouldn't worry about the selector switch. The shaft is known to slide out of position on them and is easily repaired if nothing else is bent on the switch. I repaired one on a G-8000 I had.

Hopefully the cosmetics aren't too bad. I could live with the wooden case being damaged but other things like the faceplate not so much.

Hello DENNYDOG,

Yes, I am confident she will be up and running once everything is fully gone through. The cosmetics are not mint, but fronts on both are in good condition, with the amp almost blemish free. I also think that the case on preamp/tuner and trim on amplifier can be prettied up by my neighbor, who is a long retired cabinetmaker. He has assisted me with many of the trim and cabinet pieces in my house and has refinished other pieces for me. He never wants any money for his efforts, as he loves to still tinker on projects. The only way I can even come close to compensate him for his time is having him over regularly for a barbecue or dinner.

The listing shows that a full price offer was accepted? The offer was exactly equal to the BIN price.

Hello Brudha,

Yes, the listing was closed at sellers BIN price. We had both come to an agreement on the Sansui with other arrangements for some mutual horse-trading between the two of us worded in the offer.

Regards,
TB

:lurk::lurk::lurk:

Hope it works well for you -- sounds like a good project, and a cheaper way into a TOTL unit that I'd love to have one day. If the cosmetics were good (cabinets are nothin'), and you have parts units and help available, then I'd call it a good score. These don't come around so often, especially one that doesn't need to be shipped! :thmbsp:

Good luck, it sounds like a fun project and, I think local inspection / pickup is the way to go here. Please report as things progress! :thmbsp: :lurk:

Keep us updated here....

Congratulations.
I've never seen a 33K but I understand the dual transformers are even bigger than the ones on my 22K and thats some big iron for a reciever. Id have to look at my service manual to be sure but I believe the total weight is around 105 for the bolted together reciever.

LBpete undertook a similar endeavor with a G-33k. He'd be the man I'd get in touch with if I were in your shoes..:yes:

Hello DENNYDOG,

Yes, I am confident she will be up and running once everything is fully gone through. The cosmetics are not mint, but fronts on both are in good condition, with the amp almost blemish free. I also think that the case on preamp/tuner and trim on amplifier can be prettied up by my neighbor, who is a long retired cabinetmaker. He has assisted me with many of the trim and cabinet pieces in my house and has refinished other pieces for me. He never wants any money for his efforts, as he loves to still tinker on projects. The only way I can even come close to compensate him for his time is having him over regularly for a barbecue or dinner.



Hello Brudha,

Yes, the listing was closed at sellers BIN price. We had both come to an agreement on the Sansui with other arrangements for some mutual horse-trading between the two of us worded in the offer.

Regards,
TB

Congrats TowerBoss - hope the unit only needs minor work and is singing sweet tunes soon. Don't you just love having friends where a beer and a BBQ is all that's needed in payment when you help each other out? :thmbsp:

I did not know Montana was the mecca for big vintage receivers.
TB


Oh, Trust me Montana IS NOT a mecca for big vintage receivers!

More like lloyds and soundesign.

Good luck with your project TB

Tal

LBpete undertook a similar endeavor with a G-33k. He'd be the man I'd get in touch with if I were in your shoes..:yes:

Have you seen LBPete's photo of his G33K in pieces? Simply awesome!

Have you seen LBPete's photo of his G33K in pieces? Simply awesome!

Yep, that picture to me is a statement for that gentlemans patience and skill. I'm intimidated by the picture alone and I don't have to do anything with the pieces...:D