FR4060 Renovation is complete- here's some pics
- Thread starter spindoctor
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Morden2004
Relaxin'
Well done! :thmbsp: Good looking TT.
Paul
Paul
spindoctor
Member
What's more important is that it sounds really good!
I'm using this in a secondary system. I'm really hapy with the sound. Nice detail, quiet background, wide soundstage. I got this to try out Sansui turntables. Based on my experience with a little tweaking the Sansui belt drives are good turntables and undervalued.
I'm using this in a secondary system. I'm really hapy with the sound. Nice detail, quiet background, wide soundstage. I got this to try out Sansui turntables. Based on my experience with a little tweaking the Sansui belt drives are good turntables and undervalued.
spindoctor
Member
My comparison for the Sansui is...
A Thorens TD 321 with Sumiko MMT tonearm and Grado Statement cartridge. Frankly, the Sansui deck is a lot better than I expected. In fact, it replaced a Thorens TD 166 mkII and Shure M97XE cartridge and I think it definitely sounds better. In fact, it is incredibly better sounding to my ears. The changes were to adjust the suspension and replace the spring supports and then to stablize the entire unit in a new base of very dense and heavy Oregon Myrtle. Then mostly just cleaned and lubed the turntable. I really like the sound!
A Thorens TD 321 with Sumiko MMT tonearm and Grado Statement cartridge. Frankly, the Sansui deck is a lot better than I expected. In fact, it replaced a Thorens TD 166 mkII and Shure M97XE cartridge and I think it definitely sounds better. In fact, it is incredibly better sounding to my ears. The changes were to adjust the suspension and replace the spring supports and then to stablize the entire unit in a new base of very dense and heavy Oregon Myrtle. Then mostly just cleaned and lubed the turntable. I really like the sound!
nosirrah
RIP 11-19-2019
Tt
You used Myrtle Wood? Wow, I have an ancient Myrtle wood lamp, the thing looks like it was cut from one of those Japanese trees trained to grow crooked but beautiful.
You did some work, that wood is as hard as stone, and if it's all like my lamp that would have been a challenge to cut, drill and sand.
I believe we are in the company of a Craftsman here folks.
Casey:thmbsp:
You used Myrtle Wood? Wow, I have an ancient Myrtle wood lamp, the thing looks like it was cut from one of those Japanese trees trained to grow crooked but beautiful.
You did some work, that wood is as hard as stone, and if it's all like my lamp that would have been a challenge to cut, drill and sand.
I believe we are in the company of a Craftsman here folks.
Casey:thmbsp:
spindoctor
Member
Actually Myrtle turns out to be ideal wood for base construction
Although hard to work with, the characteristics you mentioned are great fpr damping and stability. As I mentioned, the sound betters my TD 166 Thorens by a ways.
Sim
Although hard to work with, the characteristics you mentioned are great fpr damping and stability. As I mentioned, the sound betters my TD 166 Thorens by a ways.
Sim
spindoctor
Member
Sumiko Bluepoint...
I really like the Bluepoint cartridge on the Sansui. You don't read a lot about these releatively low proced MCs. It has nice detail while providing a quiet background and full sound from my lps. I have no plans to switch it out
I really like the Bluepoint cartridge on the Sansui. You don't read a lot about these releatively low proced MCs. It has nice detail while providing a quiet background and full sound from my lps. I have no plans to switch it out
spindoctor
Member
Are there any other Sansui turntable users out there?
I have the FR-4060 which I think is under-rated. I'm curious about other peolple's experience with Sansui decks. Mine is belt drive. How do these compare to the direct drives? And to other competitive turntabpes at the time.
Sim
I have the FR-4060 which I think is under-rated. I'm curious about other peolple's experience with Sansui decks. Mine is belt drive. How do these compare to the direct drives? And to other competitive turntabpes at the time.
Sim
ARJohn
Super Member
I have just come into one of these in very nice cosmetic shape , needs a belt . What or how did you adjust the suspension if you don't mind me asking ? And the replacement of the springs ? Are these parts available somewhere . Yours look very nice on the new base .Mine still has the black one . One other thing on mine the cueing arm seems to have lost it's fluid , so it drops , not big deal I guess just have to be careful .
I'll report back once I get the belt .
cheers
John
spindoctor
Member
Fr 4060
I read your other post. I suspect that the lube in the bearings has dried out. I think your approach of heating in the oven confirms that. Try to clean and lube so thath the platter turns with ease. I use a combination of light oil and wd-40 for this purpose. It sounds like your turntable is in good shape and you don't need to replace the springs on the suspension. On the other hand, the foam spring inserts will be deteriorated. Replace these with an equivalent foam with similar density. Lube the motor. it likely needs oiling. Again a light motor oil should work fine. I like Turntable Basics for belts- reasonably priced and good quality. I decided to replace the base/plinth and wanted a heavy high density wood to stabilize the deck which is why I chose myrtle. As I've stated, this deck with the Bluepoint cartridge gets regular use in a secondary system ad sounds great. Good luck. You have a nice turntable in the FR 4060.
Sim
I read your other post. I suspect that the lube in the bearings has dried out. I think your approach of heating in the oven confirms that. Try to clean and lube so thath the platter turns with ease. I use a combination of light oil and wd-40 for this purpose. It sounds like your turntable is in good shape and you don't need to replace the springs on the suspension. On the other hand, the foam spring inserts will be deteriorated. Replace these with an equivalent foam with similar density. Lube the motor. it likely needs oiling. Again a light motor oil should work fine. I like Turntable Basics for belts- reasonably priced and good quality. I decided to replace the base/plinth and wanted a heavy high density wood to stabilize the deck which is why I chose myrtle. As I've stated, this deck with the Bluepoint cartridge gets regular use in a secondary system ad sounds great. Good luck. You have a nice turntable in the FR 4060.
Sim
ARJohn
Super Member
Hey thanks for the advice . Without the belt (elastic ) on the platter will spin for a very long time with just a light push but once the belt is on it seems that the motor is not spinning , like it's cogged , meaning it moves a bit and then there is resistance and then it's free again .My other table (phillips 312 ) does not do this , could it be because the motor is different AC vs DC ?I seem to recall something about that.
thanks again .
John
thanks again .
John
spindoctor
Member
Additional tweaks
I would start by checking the motor lubrication system that I mentioned. If I recall there are two plastic tubes each containing a pipe cleaner like wick. Clean these out and then add light motor oil. Also, this assumes the motor pulley works fine without the platter on (and thus a limited work load). A trick with your old belt, is to boil it in water for 5 minutes then after its cooled try it again. This can add tension to an old floppy belt and may help until you replace it.
Sim
I would start by checking the motor lubrication system that I mentioned. If I recall there are two plastic tubes each containing a pipe cleaner like wick. Clean these out and then add light motor oil. Also, this assumes the motor pulley works fine without the platter on (and thus a limited work load). A trick with your old belt, is to boil it in water for 5 minutes then after its cooled try it again. This can add tension to an old floppy belt and may help until you replace it.
Sim
ARJohn
Super Member
Sim , thanks for all the tips , yeah did the wick thing , they still had oil in them but added some fine oil . Motor seems to spin great without a belt .anyway ordered some belts last night so in about 10 days I hope to have a further update .,
ARJohn
Super Member
new belt spins fast
Well have been spining for a few days now with the new belt and have been enjoying Lp's again . But printed off the strobe disc and checked the speed , it spins fast ? I moved it into the living room and did a semi shoot out against my Phillips with the V15 using 2 of the same discs and it's pretty noticeable . Got the belt from vintage-electronics , is there any point in trying another belt from somewhere else maybe ? The sansui comes with a 2and capstan under the platter but I've read that this is for europe . maybe try that and see if it works ? Hard to compare the 2 tables with different cartridges , but the sansui seemed to have a deeper sound even if it was fast and a cheaper cart on it . It look's better too
Well have been spining for a few days now with the new belt and have been enjoying Lp's again . But printed off the strobe disc and checked the speed , it spins fast ? I moved it into the living room and did a semi shoot out against my Phillips with the V15 using 2 of the same discs and it's pretty noticeable . Got the belt from vintage-electronics , is there any point in trying another belt from somewhere else maybe ? The sansui comes with a 2and capstan under the platter but I've read that this is for europe . maybe try that and see if it works ? Hard to compare the 2 tables with different cartridges , but the sansui seemed to have a deeper sound even if it was fast and a cheaper cart on it . It look's better too
spindoctor
Member
Sounds like you fixed your spindle issue. Truthfully, I don't spend much time worrying about speed unless it's dramatically off. I'm not aware of any adjustments you can make other than making sure that everything is properly lubricated.
SuiDog
Well-Known Member
:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp:
That turned out nice, very nice, good job. :thmbsp:
I finished the rebuild of this deck. Fitted with an old Sumiko Bluepoint and I'm happy with the sound. I've never posted pictures before so I'm not sure this will work. If it doesn't maybe someone can help.
That turned out nice, very nice, good job. :thmbsp: