A lot to of these receivers perform really well and haven't seen the appreciation that some of the older more classic gear has.
Before diving in, really check the forum for info on service issues. As motorstereo and quaddriver noted these units use a lot of integrated circuits and hybrid components that may no longer be available and also impossible to find substitutes for.
Tom
Even service manuals seem hard to find.A lot to of these receivers perform really well and haven't seen the appreciation that some of the older more classic gear has.
Before diving in, really check the forum for info on service issues. As motorstereo and quaddriver noted these units use a lot of integrated circuits and hybrid components that may no longer be available and also impossible to find substitutes for.
Tom
Wow... that Onkyo is beautiful!!
I have the 3900z, 4900z, 5900z, 7900z, and the 8900zdb and they all sound absolutely wonderful. As to specifially the 3900z, I built a set of speakers that will handle the 3900z at full throttle, but not much more. Even at full volume there is no discernible distortion whatsoever. And it is very loud for the rated 40 wpc. It does indeed have a little more than the 40 watts, but like everything else, that is the level at which they spec out for distortion. These units are very underrated simply because of their predecessors, the G line. When in fact, they are of pretty much the exact build quality aside from just lacking a few features that the G line has. A subsonic filter being one of the essential missing features for turntable use. That and the motorized volume control for the 7900z, 8900zdb, and the 9900z.I have this 1980 Sansui 3900Z. At 18 pounds it sounds, works and looks good enough but I never us it. Rated 40 watts, doesn't sound like it has any more.
It deserves more credit than I give it. I say it was at the tail of the good Sansui.
Yep. it works good. But I'm not seeing the build quality. And if this 3900z is 40watts then my 50 watt 5000A is 100. My little 3500 even kicks it around.I have the 3900z, 4900z, 5900z, 7900z, and the 8900zdb and they all sound absolutely wonderful. As to specifially the 3900z, I built a set of speakers that will handle the 3900z at full throttle, but not much more. Even at full volume there is no discernible distortion whatsoever. And it is very loud for the rated 40 wpc. It does indeed have a little more than the 40 watts, but like everything else, that is the level at which they spec out for distortion. These units are very underrated simply because of their predecessors, the G line. When in fact, they are of pretty much the exact build quality aside from just lacking a few features that the G line has. A subsonic filter being one of the essential missing features for turntable use. That and the motorized volume control for the 7900z, 8900zdb, and the 9900z.
Build quality went down with just about everything after 1980. And the switch from TO-3 outputs to the MT200 didn't help much either as far as heat dissipation goes. If your 3900Z isn't putting out the 40 watts into 8 Ohms, then something must be wrong. And to let you know, I also have other Sansui receivers as well. My main unit is a 9090DB plus I have the QRX-6001 and QRX-7001 Quads as well.Yep. it works good. But I'm not seeing the build quality. And if this 3900z is 40watts then my 50 watt 5000A is 100. My little 3500 even kicks it around.
Those Z units are pretty good.I've had a couple.I have this 1980 Sansui 3900Z. At 18 pounds it sounds, works and looks good enough but I never us it. Rated 40 watts, doesn't sound like it has any more.
It deserves more credit than I give it. I say it was at the tail of the good Sansui.