High-Efficiency 'Series'-Sansui's Best speaker cables, ICs, connectors, & accessori

[bluesky]

Sansui High-Efficiency Series - Best speaker cables, ICs, connectors, accessory

Part 1. (1-2)

Sansui's " High-Efficiency " Series - Sansui's BEST accessories.


Preface:

For all Sansui collectors or folks who desire Audiophile vintage cables and accessories for their vintage system.


PS - means Part Sansui / Sansui Part #


Sansui's "High-Efficiency Series": here's all the information on speaker cables, interconnects, phono cords, AX-7 cables, mic cables, plug adapters...the WHOLE SERIES. Sold in 'Japan Only', about 1982+/-, Professional Audiophile Grade equipment. All componets are extremely difficult, to impossible, to find anywhere in the world including USA, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, & France. This gear is 'serious audiophile grade vintage equipment' for any stereo.

1. Speaker cables: PS-107C: Cost approximately $80 new ($230 in 2014 dollars if you want to figure it that way). Got my 1st pair 'used' off eBay England after searching for 4 years ($35 total) and got my 2nd pair (NOS) off eBay USA after searching for 8 years ($40). I've never seen PS-112C cables come up for sale ever or know anyone who owns a pair.

2. Interconnects: (2 styles: PS-4C, gold RCAs and PS-5C, regular RCAs). Super Beyond Rare, its like they never existed. I only know 1 guy in Ireland who has 1 pair. After 8.5 years I finally found two NOS pair (one of each type, eBay USA - $30 each). Designed for usage from: 'Amp to Amp', 'Tuner to Amp' or 'Tape Deck to Amp'. (I haven't tried them with CD to Amp yet.

3. Cables and Connectors: There are other types cables and connectors in this series. I have 2 connectors: PS-1P & PS-2P (both NOS, eBay USA - $15 each). Professional grade, heavy in weight, very solid, & larger in size. Connectors come up for sale like once every 3 years or so on Yahoo Japan.

4. ALL the items in Sansui's "High-Efficiency" Series is really serious equipment, designed and built for the serious Japanese audiophile in the early '80s.

5. The ONLY items I have seen for sale in the last 8.5 years in any country are: PS-107C, PS-4C, PS-5C, PS-1P, PS-2P. One time on Yahoo Japan the: Multi-Purpose Boom Stand for microphones'. One time on Yahoo Japan the: 'FM/AM Compatible Antenna system.'

-----


* Sansui "High-Efficiency Series" Accessories *


Speaker cables:
PS-107C: 7m each, (PS-112C: 12m). Wide-Range, 'coaxially woven' (Sansui exclusive).

Box states:
Sansui's High-Efficiency Speaker Cable was developed on the basis of our knowledge and know how about the special types of cables, 'primarily those used for telecommunitations purposes'. Because of it's excellent transfer characteristics, ultra-low DC resistance and super-wide frequency range, the new Sansui cable is ideal as an interface between advanced "DC" configuration amps and contemporary wide-range speaker systems. It's major features are:

1. Ultra-wide frequency range of DC (Zero Hertz) to 400kHz (+/-0.5dB), and phase response of DC to 300 kHz (less than 10 degrees).
2. Ultra-Low DC resistance (8.7m ohms/m for "+"cable and 11.6m ohms for "-" cable.
3. Sansui exclusive three layer braided conductor construction for best transfer characteristics.
4. Ideal characteristic impedance of 12 ohms for best impedance matching with amp and speaker.
5. Unplated wire surface for improved tone quality.
6. High-Density braided conductor (90%) coverage for minimum skin effect, proximity effect, crosstalk, and noise pickup.
7. 99.96% or more pure elastic copper wire.
8. Terminal ends moulded with elastic PVC.

The actual wire construction from outside casing to inside core:
1. PVC jacket
2. Polyester Tape
3. Braided shield (-)
4. PVC Insulator
5. Braded Conductor (+)
6. Polyester tape
7. Braided Conductor (+)
8. PVC core.

From an old Sansui brochure:
1. PS-107C/PS-112C Super High-Fidelity Speaker Cables
2. Speaker cables for accurate transfer of High-Fidelity information.
3. Three braided conductors, each insulated from others and coaxially woven (Sansui exclusive)
4. Super low DC resistance.
5. Low AC resistance for improved frequency response (+/-0.5db at DC-400kHz)
6. Effective shielding of external noise
7. The PS-107C and 112C come in 'pairs of cables' in each box.

My observations:
1. Each cable: 7m, end fitting to end fitting, with the red & black cables sticking out from molded end fitting.

2. Cable's molded end fittings (4 mm X 1.5 mm), labeled (on top side) R or L and - / +. On the btm side it says Sansui and also labeled +/ - where the wires come out.
3. Cables stamped: " Sansui High Efficiency Cable - Made in Japan " every 12 inches of the length of the cable. Printing is 0.2 mm high/white lettering. The jacketed cable is 0.7 mm in thickness.
4. Cables sound 'outstanding' and look professional, they look great! I.E. they are pretty nice darn sounding cables!!! Maybe they are 30 years old but they sure do have some MAGIC!!! Outrageous really. I bought 2 pair. And even the 'used' pair are like brand new. Just saying. Age seems to do 'nothing' to these cables.

5. And cables are a vital component 'IN' the system. To me, just as important as any other component. Makes sense. And they are copper.

Forum comments on the 107 cables(abbreviated):
1. I used 107Cs w/ my G33000 & Whafedale E90's and the difference they made was almost unspeakable!!!!! You will love those cables!!!! They made a Huge difference in the sound. Night and day!! I wish I could find another pair!

2. I used to have a pair long ago and they sounded " wonderous "!

3. bluesky: I just tested my newely aquired 'used' PS-107C for 6 hrs w/ 14 CDs against the better, thicker gauge, Radio Shack copper cables. I must agree: an immediate 'huge difference in sound'. I was 'stunned' really. It was a ' wow ' moment. They sound absolutely excellent. Tested with: NAD CD player/NAD interconnects, AU-X901, & excellent sounding SP-2000.

Steve Hoffman stated on his website that you should use vintage, or vintage 'type construction', cables for your vintage stereo system because that's the type of cable (copper) that the system was designed around using with the amp & speakers. He also uses vintage cables with his vintage stereo system.

Cost: what are the PS-107C(s) really worth? Are they worth $50? Absolutely! That's a no brainer. $100? Absolutely! $150? Yes, in perfect shape. $200 a pair? I 'bid' $350 for my NOS pair and that's only because 'I knew exactly' what these benifits of these cables are and how great they sound. If your lucky enough to find a pair... BUY THEM! And they ' look ' absolutely awesome (interconnects too (slightly thinner than the speaker cables but still thick - they match the speaker cables in looks: have color and printing and have molded RCAs). Other 'quality cables' are gonzo expensive anyway, especially in 21' lengths. No worries, just great sound.

Note: These cables are 21 foot in length (7 meters) so even if you find a pair in which the casing is broken somewhere, you could always get them and cut the bad part out. Then cut the other pair to match lengths. The molded end fitting would be missing on both, on one side, but... no big thing. The Cable is still the Cable! And, not recommending it, but you 'could' just cut a pair of 107s in half and have 2 complete pairs of 10 foot 'runs' for 2 sets of speakers. (Or just find another pair! haha. Like I did.) I know 'they say' keep your speaker cable 'runs' as short as you can, interconnects too, but even running 21 foot cables coiled up for shorter distances STILL sounds simply amazing. Nice cables.


Part 2 follows:

 

[bluesky]

Part 2: (Continued) (2-2)


High-Efficiency 'Series' - Sansui's BEST interconnects, connectors, and the rest.


* All the other componets in Sansui's "High-Efficiency" Series *

Phono Cords (for turntables):
In selecting phono cables it is most important to assure the best possible transfeer characteristic between the cartridge/turntable and the amplifier. Cables are the vital interface between these componets. and must protect the delicate signals they carry from external noise sources from the moment they leave the cartridge to the moment they enter the equalizer (or amp). Sansui's High-Efficiency Series phono cords do deliever these important assurances because they are formed of densely braided, unplated wire.

PS-1C turntable interconnect: Low-capacitance type, low DC resistance, 4 each gold plated RCA plugs, grounding cable provided.

PS-2C turntable interconnect: Low-capacitance type, low DC resistance, 4 each silver colored RCA plugs, grounding cable provided.

PS-3C turntable interconnect: Ultra-low DC resistance type for MC (Moving Coil) cartridges, 4 each gold plated RCA plugs, grounding cable provided.

Pin Cords (interconnects):
The pin cords, which connect one amplifier with another or with a tuner or tape deck, handle relitively higher signal levels than do phono cords. Yet, poor-quality pin cords can cause tonal deterioration because they are so widely and extensively used throughout the average multi componet system. Both Sansui High-Efficiency Series pin cords, PS-4C and PS-5C, are high quality and retain all the features of the Sansui phono cords.

PS-4C, 1.2m. (Original price unknown.)
Gold RCA connections
Slightly thinner than speaker cables but still thicker than regular interconnects.

Box states: Sansui's High Efficiency Series audio cords were developed in line with the recent advancement in the audio industry for wider range, lower distortion and higher signal-to-noise ration componets which inevitablly require comparable quality connecting cords as a vital interface among them.

To assure the best possible transfer efficiency and minimize the distortion, not only that the electrostatic capacitance is maintained optimally low, the importance of which has been emphasized by many specialists, but that the DC resistance is kept untra-low as well.

Ultra-High density wires with carefully angled braid construction are used to protect pure audio signals from external aerial noise sources such as radio frequency signals (AM radio, Police, CB and so on.)

For easier operation, larger-size cord and plugs are adpoted. These plugs are specially designed so that they can be extended efficiently and fixed tightly by the special stoppers when Sansui's exclusive Plug Connecters (PS-1P & PS-2P) are used.
(See back box cover for characteristic of 'Aerial Noise Interference'.)

PS-5C, 1.2m. (Original price unknown.)
Regular Chrome/Silver color type RCA connections.
Slightly thinner than the speaker cables but still thicker than regular interconnects.
Box states: (Same as PS-4C)

Stereo phone cord:
Many of new amps such as Sansui AX-7 have a jack for a stereo phone plug for convenient connection. The Sansui High-Efficiency Series phone cord connects to such jacks.
PS-6C 'Cord' Patch. (Original price unknown)
1 Phone plug with 2 RCA (double) connections
Low-capacitance type.

Microphonic phone cord:
Some professional amplifiers have a jack for phone-type input/output jacks. The Sansui High-Efficiency Series monophonic phone cord, with it's conductor fromed of densely-braided, unplated wires, is designed just for connection with such high-quality amplifiers.
PS-7C 'Cord' Patch. (Original price unknown)
1 Phone plug with 1 RCA (single) connection
Low-capacitance type, low DC resistance.

Plug Adapters:
The Sansui High-Efficiency Series plug adapters were carefully developed to connect a pair of high fidelity phono cord or pin cord of the same quality without deteriorating the full fidelity of the signals. When you use the Sansui's exclusive phono cord (PS-1C through PS-3C or pin cord (PS-4C or PS-5C, this plug adapter will mechanically lock these cords preventing loose contacts.

PS-1P audio cable coupler (Original price unknown)
2 to 2 plug connector, gold plated jacks, high versatility. (Like for connecting long runs of speaker cables together.)

Box states: 1. Sansui's exclusive Plug Connecters were developed to meet the needs of audiophiles who demand the very best from their audio systems. They are carefully designed for connecting high fidelity phone or pin cords with extremely low resistance to maintain the same signal fidelity through them.
2. Gold-plated jacks are adopted to ensure the fidelity of audio signals going through at the contact points.
3. When used with the Sansui's Phono Cords (PS-1C, PS-2C & PS-3C) and the connecting Cords (PS-4C & PS-5C), plugs are all designed to be locked into these connecters assuring firm contacts.
4. PS-1P has special ground wire connection terminals at both ends which are made of pure brass for use with high fidelity phono cords.

PS-2P audio cable coupler (Original price unknown)
2 to 4 plug connector, gold plated jacks, high versatility. (Like for connecting 2 devices together to one outlet on a TV.)
Box states: (same as PS-1P)


Other items in the 'High-Efficiency" Series:
1. Dynamic Microphone
2. Electret Condensor Microphone
3. Multi-Purpose Boom Stand for microphones (with arm for stereo microphones/MA-2)
4. FM/AM - compatible Antenna system

 

[bluesky]

No one has any interest in 30 year old Sansui cables?? lol.

Kind of suprised that no one has picked up on this thread? This Sansui gear is outstanding.

Cables and connectors make a substantial difference. Sansui's cables are a vital 'component' in the system, for me anyway. And these are Sansui's finest and rarest too.

Anyway... I titled it and wrote it up so that if someone does a search for 'High Efficiency' Sansui accessories it should pop-up: even on Google and Bing.

The cables do sound 'fantastic'. They are amazing.

I'd like to find a pair of the 'MC' TT interconnects and get one more '2 to 2' connector. Someday...

 

[Hyperion]

The information you give is amazing, however this is R-E-A-L-L-Y rare stuff. Collecting cables is fine, but people only want to argue about their effects on a system, and these are so rare nobody has any idea exactly what difference they might make, (except perhaps you ).

You are THE go-to person for ALL things Sansui, especially and particularly rare stuff, - people may not respond, but that doesn't mean we read your posts without interest

Keep going !

 

[bluesky]

'Roger that' Hyperion!

The information is there world-wide if someone needs it.

 

[usedto]

Definitely interesting, and probably valuable information. Alas, my 64+ year old hearing is less than high-efficiency. Such improvements would more than likely be wasted on me. Good for my wallet, I guess.

Thanks for posting the info. :thmbsp:

 

[bluesky]

I'm in my early 60s as well bentpencil and my hearing is not the best in the world too. Worked around really loud noise all my life. What?? Came with the job. No complaints. It was fun.

But these cables make a difference. Like from "that sounds good" to "wow'.

It's noticeable. So much so, to me, that that is why I bought a 2nd pair and bid like $350 to 'make sure' I got them! And they were brand new in the box. lol.

After I heard my first pair I told myself... 'that's it. I'm getting a 2nd pair when ever, if ever, I see them for sale again. No matter what the cost.'

To me... They are THAT good.

Maybe it's all in my Sansui head! haha.

They do sound 'most excellent'.

On a side note: my brother was a musician so I was used to seeing cables laying on the floor of stages. These cables remind me of that. They ' look ' serious. They got the 'look'. But the sound is the main objective of course. All I know is that they sound wonderful. The second I plugged them in and tried them it was like: "Wow...Yeah, these sound really nice!" Like that. How much better do they sound? Just better. There's something to it.

 

[Robisme]

Did you out bid me on those Sansui cables?

Rob

 

[bluesky]

Did you out bid me on those Sansui cables?

Rob

Yeah, it was me. Sorry!

But no worries... I bid more than any normal sane person would 'ever possibly pay'. lol. I bid like $375. And I was Still freaking out on losing the bid. It was a heavy stressful Sansui moment for me! LOL.


And... thanks so much to 'Johnny Fever' in helping me to find the interconnects and connectors!!!

 

[Robisme]

Yeah, it was me. Sorry!

But no worries... I bid more than any normal sane person would 'ever possibly pay'. lol. I bid like $350, but I think it was really $375. And I was Still freaking out on losing the bid. It was a heavy stressful Sansui moment for me! LOL.

Well, I'm glad you got them. I was actually going to use them in my main system.
You bid quite a bit more than I did.:yes:

Rob

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

Pics of said cables would be nice.

 

[llanger]

Esoteric, to say the least.

 

[bluesky]

Esoteric yes, but some of the cables and accessories can be found. It just takes a long time. And when you find them, buy them!

I'll post pictures. To find photos of Sansui's "High-Efficiency" Series gear on Google or Bing Image is darn near impossible. I've only found 2 or 3 on Japan's 'Biglobe' search engine.

 

[Robisme]

One could search completed E-bay listings and see a preview. The pics are telling.

Rob

 

[bluesky]

Ps-107c:

 

[bluesky]

PS-107C: part 2

 

[bluesky]

Interconnects: PS-4C (gold rca), PS-5C (regular rca)

Not quite as 'thick' as the speaker cable but still 'plenty hefty'! Nice.

 

[bluesky]

PS-1P (2 to 2), PS-2P (2 to 4) connectors. Both Gold plated.

 

[bluesky]

Japanese info on PS-107 speaker cables.

Also, see: 'a few sansui accessories' thread on AK Sansui.

 

[Hyperion]

I still can't believe all the info you dig up on Sansui stuff makes my head spin