I was hyped up to browse my usual shops,when to my dismay,they were all closed today.Ok,Ill check out one place I know is open,they sometimes have vintage audio,and behind the counter I see a VERY dirty turntable.Nicotine stains all over the arm,platter dustcover,etc.It obviously hadnt seen use in a while.The employee plugs it in,and its up and running.The tag says 40,so Im all over it.I get to the counter,and he tells me its been there a long time,so he rings up 35.Cool.I get it home,clean it up as best I can,clean and oil the wood a little,put the Shure M97xe on it(got a new cart comin' for the Dual in a few days anyway),and were talking no hum,belt is running right on the money,speedwise.Im a happy camper.Sansui SR-4050c.I found great info and pics on the Sansui database(still gotta give you that serial number!),but I was wondering what experience anyone else has had with this table.I think its really pretty,and heavy as hell.I was curious also what the retail price on this was back in 1971.I cant wait to play with my new toy again! :banana:

One more pic.....

Like to know what you think. I have noticed and admired the looks of these early Sansui tables on e-pay. Germany look with SME type arms, and affordable price. I have never seen one since being an adult though, so that is why I am curious about your review.

I know Im going on and on here,but it seems to me like Sansui was trying to build an audiophile quality table.Instead of auto-return,it features auto manual,which cues the record up at the end,and shuts it off,I think.Its impossible to tell from my pics,but under the wood base is 3-4 more inches of base.Im impressed with over feel of quality all over this unit.Its built like a brick.Ive got it hooked up to my Super t-amp and cheapy phono pre,and my EPI 100's,and I like what Im hearing so far.It seems to have more bottom end than my Dual 1228,closer to the 701,I think in that regard.Im going to have to hook it up to my Yamaha A-1020,just to see how it sounds with the better phono pre-amp.Im having a good time over here!
Jimmy

hey 2duals, got the bluebook on that? ;)

I KNEW Id be hearin it from you! :) Hook me up one last time,Greg!What did this baby cost new?
Jimmy

sorry 2duals :tears:

isn't that ironic

Haverhill is a bit of a haul but I figure the TT would be worth restoring but after $50 to $75 the potential cost of restoration is overwhelmed by the buy cost and risk. For not much more money, you can go to a stereo shop and pick something up that's been calibrated and already retored with no risk - unless they're an unusual store that has no warranty or return policy. Did Sansui make their own TT or OEM them?

Peter

For $35, I think that's a score. :thmbsp: I was watching a Sansui 4050 on EBay about a week ago. It was local to me and pickup was OK, so I thought I'd bid. When the bidding went up over $100, I forgot about that... :sigh:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SANSUI-BELT-DRIVEN-TURNTABLE-RECORD-PLAYER-2-SPEED_W0QQitemZ5843502973QQcategoryZ48649QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

It looks like it's a really nice TT.

How do you like your M97xe? I'm really happy with mine. Have it on a Sony PS-5520

Peter,I dont know if they farmed out their turntables,but it looks like the work of a company trying to establish their name.I really cant say enough about the build quality of this unit.I havent had a chance to really spend a lot of time listening to it yet,only a few hours so far,but Id put it in the top 5 of turntables Ive owned,which I admit isnt that many.In a group with my AR from'85,my Denon from 87,my Dual 701,and my Dual 1228.Sound-wise I cant really rate it yet with any confidence.
I should probably keep my mouth shut,but I cant figure out why ebay prices on these are so low,with other Japanese tables commanding such a premium these days.Probably the fact that Sansui,unlike,say JVC,or Technics,was never really known as a tt company.
BTW,Rickrob2,I liked my M97xe much more when I first got it,but with time,I have to say the sound of my Audio Technica 440ml is more to my personal liking.The shure is a little bland for me.I have an Ortofon OM20 super on the way,which Im thinking I might try on the Sansui first.Heres a brochure I copied from the great Classic Sansui Website.
http://www.classicsansui.net/Turntables.htm#SR4050

2duals, I think the SR-xxxx series were U.S. military only versions; I remember seeing these in the Navy exchange in the 70's.

That ebay listing went pretty cheap, as christmas week listings usually do. I've seen 2050's go for more than that.

Did you try looking at the turntables section of www.sansui.us as well?

I picked up a 2050C a while back for $4. It's a nice TT. The arm was also sold seperately.

2duals, I think the SR-xxxx series were U.S. military only versions; I remember seeing these in the Navy exchange in the 70's.

That ebay listing went pretty cheap, as christmas week listings usually do. I've seen 2050's go for more than that.

Did you try looking at the turntables section of www.sansui.us as well?

That sansui link you gave me was the first site I checked.They had a few nice photos,but that was it as far as the 4050c goes.
I have to agree with you about the Military sales part,since the back of the unit is labled 110-240,50-60hz,and IIRC that was what all BX units were rated,so soldiers could use the unit anywhere they were stationed in the world.And Military guys were notorious for spending BIG bucks on stereo equipment,so I bet they sold AAfes all their high end equipment in those days.
jimmy