5000a vs 5000x

[MIJ_Pioneer]

I was recommended to look into a 5000x as they have a great warm sound. I'm noticing that there are three revisions to the 5000(a)(x), all of which require some modern modification. I am thinking to keep this model on the radar for a next project.

The 5000a is common on eBay and affordable (~$300). The 5000x is not nearly as common (there are none for sale) and has a higher price of over $500.

From searching I was trying to understand if there is an audible difference between the two. From what I read they are very similar but one costs more than the other. Assuming I can wave the soldering iron at them, is there any reason to go 5000x?

5000a: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sansui 5000a&rt=nc&_udlo=150
5000x: http://www.watchcount.com/completed...e!&csbin=all&cssrt=ts&bslr=&bnp=100&bxp=#serp

 

[Sansuiman]

In terms of their sound, all three are identical. They all used the same driver and output stage, I believe the tuner was common across all 3 models. What distinguishes the X from the others is that it has a redesigned dial scale - different color and graphics - from the two earlier entries, and it has a 2nd phono input in lieu of the tape head input found on the 5000 and 5000A. It also has pre-out/main in jacks that the earlier two version do not.

Note that the F-6013 driver baords were a running change on the 5000X, there are some with the earlier F-1040-1 driver boards. None of the 5000 or 5000A had tbe 6013 boards factory fitted, and only later production X's had them.Many of all three models were later retrofitted with the updated driver boards as a warranty repair, but quite a few missed this service so it isn't unusual fo find all three models with F-1040 (5000) or F-1040-1 (5000A and X) still installed.

In short, I would stipulate the 5000X is over valued in the current market; the 5000 and A are better deals for what is essentially the same receiver sans a couple of very minor updates. The lack of a pre-out/main in may be the most notable shortcoming of the 5000 and 5000A versus the 5000X

 

[ivandezande]

Only the 5000X has pre-out/main-in jacks.

 

[Sansuiman]

Been a while since I had my 5000A off the shelf, could've sworn it had pre-out/main ins. In thinking about it now, I believe I'm recalling the 2000A, not the 5000A, so I stand corrected. Will edit my previous post to reflect that.

 

[ivandezande]

Been a while since I had my 5000A off the shelf, could've sworn it had pre-out/main ins. In thinking about it now, I believe I'm recalling the 2000A, not the 5000A, so I stand corrected. Will edit my previous post to reflect that.

All good, I don't mean to be rude just thought I'd admonish.

 

[Sansuiman]

No offense taken. I should have actually looked first instead of relying strictly on my memory.

 

[MIJ_Pioneer]

Ivan I ran into a thread where you restored a 5000 - did you ever finish it? Looks like you ran into some trouble, I did not read a success story at the end (or a failure). Did you get it up and running? What are your thoughts on this receiver?

In terms of their sound, all three are identical. They all used the same driver and output stage, I believe the tuner was common across all 3 models. What distinguishes the X from the others is that it has a redesigned dial scale - different color and graphics - from the two earlier entries, and it has a 2nd phono input in lieu of the tape head input found on the 5000 and 5000A. It also has pre-out/main in jacks that the earlier two version do not.

Note that the F-6013 driver baords were a running change on the 5000X, there are some with the earlier F-1040-1 driver boards. None of the 5000 or 5000A had tbe 6013 boards factory fitted, and only later production X's had them.Many of all three models were later retrofitted with the updated driver boards as a warranty repair, but quite a few missed this service so it isn't unusual fo find all three models with F-1040 (5000) or F-1040-1 (5000A and X) still installed.

In short, I would stipulate the 5000X is over valued in the current market; the 5000 and A are better deals for what is essentially the same receiver sans a couple of very minor updates. The lack of a pre-out/main in may be the most notable shortcoming of the 5000 and 5000A versus the 5000X

Thank you for writing this out, answers my question

Do you have any thoughts on this reciever? How does this receiver compare to a x0x0 series?

 

[SaturationPt]

I grew up with a 5000, it was a nice sounding piece, I thought it was quite warm and musical. It did get F-6013 boards installed at the dealer when it was around 10 years old. My son sold it a couple of years ago, it was extremely noisy (hadn't been plugged in for at least ten years), it needed a complete restoration and unfortunately even complete with docs etc., it just wasn't worth enough to justify a complete restoration.

 

[ghazzer]

My 5000(-) was modified to a 5000A by a factory rep at Clark AB in the Philippines in 1969. I was told that they replaced some transistors with more reliable ones, but they could have been blowing smoke up my rear. Bottom line is that there is very little difference between a 5000- and a 5000A.

All three of the 5000s I own still have the original F-1040 boards. None have blown up yet. I attribute this problem to owners who like to push the limit, and share their music with their neighbors down the street. Skippy124 reports that the problem may be caused by Sansui Glue, or corrosion on the legs of the 2SA485 and 2SC485

Be aware that there is an upgrade mod available but it will not transform a 1040 bd to a 6013 bd. It replaces these two transistors (TR803&4) and the bias diodes (D801&2) on each bd. You can find more information here:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4347793&postcount=55

 

[rickb119]

I have a Sansui 5000a in my garage driving a pair of Norman model 8's. As @SaturationPt mentioned, it is a nice sounding, warm and very musical receiver. Even with the Norman's, which I consider to be warn sounding, there's still plenty of detail. I much prefer the Sansui to the Denon 100w integrated that it replaced. Can't crank it up as much as the Denon, but the neighbors don't really want to hear my music anyhow. Got a pretty good tuner in it too.

 

[Sansuiman]

I really like all three iterations of the 5000. They are not, by any means, a purists receiver as the sound has a distinctive quality resulting from its capacitor coupled output stage. If you want ultra fast, ultra accurate high bandwith power, the 5000/A/X is about a decade and change too old to hit those design ideals. See the G9000/9700 or an AU-X1 - or an Alpha - for that kind of action.

Now, I'm not bashing the 5000 et al. What it does it does very well, and to me sounds about ss good as a late 60's cap coupled amp is capable of. It has a punch in the low end, a strong presence in the mids and clear - but not overbearing - high range. It is a legit 55WPC at 8 ohms, but sure seems to deliver beyond the numbers to my ear.

It easily beats the pants off any recent receiver I've heard in the past several years, and holds its own against or even bests all of its contemporaries I've listened to from Pioneer and Marantz. Both of those brands did admittedly step up their game into the early 70's though as worthy challengers to Sansui.

There is a' 5000 at my mom's house, the very unit that started my obsession with Sansui 40 years ago when dad brought it home. It has had quite a bit of use over the Christmas holiday. Hooked to a couple of mid 1990's Infiniti 8" bookshelf two ways against a wall flanking a fireplace in a 25x35 room with a 13' vaulted ceiling.

This is a fairly large and acoustically active room, and that modest setup can more than fill the room with great sound. I quite enjoyed listening to it again while i was over the the last few days. Will see more use this weekend as we have another Christmas get together with others who just made it into town.

Which is a lot of fluff just to say I give it a big thumbs up.

 

[ivandezande]

Ivan I ran into a thread where you restored a 5000 - did you ever finish it? Looks like you ran into some trouble, I did not read a success story at the end (or a failure). Did you get it up and running? What are your thoughts on this receiver?



Thank you for writing this out, answers my question

Do you have any thoughts on this reciever? How does this receiver compare to a x0x0 series?

A 5000X was my very first restore when I was 17 or so - I never got the preamp working. Since then, I've restored a 5000, and four 5000A's.
I think they sound good for what they are, but nothing more. They're early transistor designs and noisy. Many better sounding Sansui's.....