Hi guys! I am a new member but an old guy that just can't get over how musical the old amps sounded compared to the hot new digital, surround, direct path, whatever stuff. Don't get me wrong, I really like my current home theater setup for movies but any music just sounds "wrong" if that makes sense. So I bought a new non-HT Onkyo TX-8555 thinking that the new technology has to be better, right? Not so much. Just didn't do for my soul what my "back in the day" Yamaha, Phase Linear, Luxman gear did. Took it back and went searching. Found a no pedigree Sansui QR-6500, brought it home with crossed fingers, hooked her up to my admittedly slightly lame Boston towers and OMG I was transported back in time when you put on an album, turned down the lights and just enjoyed the sonic experience. I think the word is "warmth". Other than some lights everything seems to be working perfectly. No dirty pots or sliders. This is my first Sansui and I am very impressed with the sound and build. Pulled the cab off thinking she would need a major dusting and she barely had a skiff of dust. Everything looks to me to be totally original. Are the original transistors Toshiba? Anyway, having a ball with the "new" amp and re-listening to some favorite tunes for the first time in years. Any advice on the care and feeding of this great amp would be appreciated.
Back in the game with a Sansui QR-6500!
- Thread starter wwb6001
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
"Hot" is the perfect way to describe most newer receivers fed with a digital source.
"Warm" is a vintage Sansui, pre-1978.
If you are technically inclined, you can adjust bias and DC offset (if applicable). Next step would be a recap of everything but the big filter capacitors.
"Warm" is a vintage Sansui, pre-1978.
If you are technically inclined, you can adjust bias and DC offset (if applicable). Next step would be a recap of everything but the big filter capacitors.
sansui 74
Active Member
Welcome to AK the QUAD sound is sweet,you will love the sound of your QR-6500,Ive had a QRX 5500 for years and just upgraded to overhauled QRX 9001,and now looking for CD4 records,and playing stereo records in QS mode, I thought about 4 channel RR but decided that records are more aval than RR tapes, enjoy your new vintage Sansui, Ken
27HotRodGuy
New Member
Congrats on your 6500. I found my QRX6500 just a few months ago, and while I loved the sound I had a bad channel. I recently got it back from Chris Ready who restored it to its original glory.
I think the sound quality is hard to beat. As you stated its warmer, and with some compatable speakers (I'm currently working with some Sonics 250's) it also sounds more true than any contemporary system I've heard. Some of my friends have some fairly high-end stuff, but even they have to agree there's no direct comparison. While their systems might out-power mine (I doubt it) there's too much audio information that's lost - that the Sansui preserves (particularly on vinyl - maybe that's just me).
Hope to hear more from you. I don't know if the originals are Toshiba... I can look at my "bag-o-parts" when I get home.
I think the sound quality is hard to beat. As you stated its warmer, and with some compatable speakers (I'm currently working with some Sonics 250's) it also sounds more true than any contemporary system I've heard. Some of my friends have some fairly high-end stuff, but even they have to agree there's no direct comparison. While their systems might out-power mine (I doubt it) there's too much audio information that's lost - that the Sansui preserves (particularly on vinyl - maybe that's just me).
Hope to hear more from you. I don't know if the originals are Toshiba... I can look at my "bag-o-parts" when I get home.
Trnsfmr
Well-Known Member
Congrats on the 6500. I recently restored one, and I have to say that it is the best built of all the TOTL units. It is just made incredibly well. Sounds wonderful too.
If you got 4 speakers going, with each channel capable of an easy 70 watts, well..... that's a 280 watt amp. No lack of power there.
If you got 4 speakers going, with each channel capable of an easy 70 watts, well..... that's a 280 watt amp. No lack of power there.
sqcomp
New Member
WW...
I am in the same Sansui love boat as you! I too have a QR6500 and am in the process of making floorstanding cabinets for it to play.
^ The only thing I have hooked up to it right now are boombox speakers (as you can see behind my little unfinished cabinets) that are totally overwhelmed by the QR.
This is my first vintage receiver and I'm loving it. I listen to by AT M50's on it and am happy as a clam.
I am in the same Sansui love boat as you! I too have a QR6500 and am in the process of making floorstanding cabinets for it to play.
^ The only thing I have hooked up to it right now are boombox speakers (as you can see behind my little unfinished cabinets) that are totally overwhelmed by the QR.
This is my first vintage receiver and I'm loving it. I listen to by AT M50's on it and am happy as a clam.
Last edited:
Just got Dad's QR6500 back from the shop. It had a shorted wire that went up into the transformer. The tech (in OKC, OK) replaced all the caps and cleaned everything up. I got it home and hooked it up to a couple of Norman Lab Model 8 speakers. OMG! The radio sounded amazing. Dad said it didn't sound that good brand new!
If anyone is in OKC, I found a good place to get stuff worked on. David at Hi-Tech Audio Video Repair. 1400 N Classen. 405 232-3803
I just dropped off my Marantz 2245 for some minor repair along with the NL model 8 speakers.
Loving the sound on the QR6500.
If anyone is in OKC, I found a good place to get stuff worked on. David at Hi-Tech Audio Video Repair. 1400 N Classen. 405 232-3803
I just dropped off my Marantz 2245 for some minor repair along with the NL model 8 speakers.
Loving the sound on the QR6500.
Last edited: