• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

*** How to date your Sansui***

My AU-505:
sn 834012250
works perfectly: January 1974, unit 2250 off the line (still have the receipt, March '74). I notice chilchil dates his (her?) AU-555 as 1969, does the 555 really predate the 505?
 
UMRKretread said:
My AU-505:
sn 834012250
works perfectly: January 1974, unit 2250 off the line (still have the receipt, March '74). I notice chilchil dates his (her?) AU-555 as 1969, does the 555 really predate the 505?
Click to expand...

Yes, the AU-555 predates the AU-505. It also predates the AU-517 which came after the 505. There was not always consistency in the model numbers.

- Pete
 
Thread resurrection time.

I currently have three Sansui's:

Sausui 4000
Serial # 029101895
October, 1969
#1895

Sansui Eight
Serial # 222060097
June, 1972
#0097

Sansui 881
Serial # 825051781
May, 1975
#1781

I was born two months after the 881. I have the original bill of sale it, which was given to me by the original owner. He bought it on New Year's Eve, 1975.
 
I think he was banned, or at least went to another audio site - permanently.

Gentle reminder - no comments allowed on moderation decisions.
 
So my Sansui 790's serial number is 217010289
Built in January 1977, unit 289 rolling out of assembly line 21.
 
Finally got around to dating mine. I was in 6th grade when the 1000A was built and in Navy Boot camp for the 2000X.

1000A.....April 1966 serial # 16027920
2000.......August 1968 serial # 018081953
2000A.....Nov 1969 serial # 829110997
2000X.....July 1973 serial # 813071557
 
Just a matter of curiosity here, but most of the online sources claim that the Sansui 9090 & DB versions became available during 1977. However, just looking at LBPete's database (and one of my own serial numbers) there are many S/N's that start with 826. (1976)

Does anyone know what the facts are "from the horses mouth"?
 
The production date as shown on the serial number would be "straight from the horses mouth". Keep in mind that the time from production to distribution may well be weeks or even a couple of months. Back in the 70's, almost all this stuff went by sea freight from Japan to the US, so shipping times weren't inconsequential. I've no idea what kind of lead times would've been to European, South American and Australian markets where Sansui was sold.

Figure too, that once product got to port, it had to go to distribution warehouses (Sansui had US division offices in California and New Jersey at the time) where the master pallets were torn down for shipping to retail dealers. With that in mind, many US buyers may have seen their first major exposure to these models in early 1977.
 
Wow, this thread is a blast from the past. Has to be one of the earliest threads on AK.

The 9090DB and the 990DB were built on two production lines. The earliest production on line 81 was November 1976. Right from the start, Line 81 produced significant quantities each month. Production continued until November '77.

The start on Line 82 is a little less clear. The first 6 units on file were built in 4 different months in '76, January, May, September and October. Then one in January '77 and April '77. In August '77 production started in earnest with 18 units on file from that month. Production continued until May '78.

- Pete
 
LBPete said:
Wow, this thread is a blast from the past. Has to be one of the earliest threads on AK.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I came across this thread shortly after taking the time to enter 2 S/N's in your database Pete. Then I got curious about a few things related to when these were produced and/or actually introduced to the market. Sansuiman's explanation makes sense in that production dates might pre-date actual sales by several months or more.

The OP on this thread stated that the decoding of the S/N was some sort of secret, which struck me as pretty strange. Why would Sansui or anyone else want to keep such trivial information a secret?

In any case, I have 2 of the 9090DB's, and the older one is S/N 826100046. According to the decoding, this would indicate that the unit was built on line 82 in October of 1976. But does it also indicate it was the 46th stereo built on that line, or in that month?

Another thing I was wondering about is why you asked folks to post only "model,S/N,AK User" for input to your original database thread, but in a later "Update" you then wrote you were interested in features like chassis plating, diodes vs transistors, and flex board instead of the newer black cable connectors on the Dolby boards. I guess I could pop the tops off my receivers at some point and try to give you this info also.
 
Look, this thread is 23 years old. AK had maybe 50 members and people were literally giving away old stereo equipment. The serial number date codes weren't a "secret," it wasn't widely known. Beatle Fred was sharing his knowledge of Sansui with the group. This thread is probably the first time it was discussed on AK.

826100046 was built on production line 82 in October 1976. It was the 46 unit off that line that month.

The database was originated by AK member Morden2004 in 2003. He created the basic framework and established the primary information as model,serial number and reporter. I revived the database in 2017 and have been maintaining it since. I added two additional fields, Notes and T-tag. The notes field can be used to track production changes that Sansui often did on the fly during production. These changes are simple the database maturing into new areas.

The 9090DB and it's brothers and sisters the 990DB, 8080DB and 890DB had many production changes during their build run. There are a couple of threads like this one that ask for additional information.

Hope that answers the "mystery."

- Pete
 
LBPete said:
The 9090DB and it's brothers and sisters the 990DB, 8080DB and 890DB had many production changes during their build run. There are a couple of threads like this one that ask for additional information.

Hope that answers the "mystery."

- Pete
Click to expand...
Yes Pete... you actually provided more answers than I had asked Q's about, so thanks for that.

Regarding my previous post, on the subject of (now) your database, I was trying to figure out the best way to help you. I'm not a tech, but can probably easily spot some of the features you listed in the "Lets Track 9090DB/8080DB Production Changes". It might be a while, but eventually I will take some photo's and post to the "Tracking Thread" what the differences are between the 2 units I have now.

Thanks,
Wolf
 
Last edited:
LBPete said:
Look, this thread is 23 years old. AK had maybe 50 members and people were literally giving away old stereo equipment. The serial number date codes weren't a "secret," it wasn't widely known. Beatle Fred was sharing his knowledge of Sansui with the group. This thread is probably the first time it was discussed on AK.

826100046 was built on production line 82 in October 1976. It was the 46 unit off that line that month.

The database was originated by AK member Morden2004 in 2003. He created the basic framework and established the primary information as model,serial number and reporter. I revived the database in 2017 and have been maintaining it since. I added two additional fields, Notes and T-tag. The notes field can be used to track production changes that Sansui often did on the fly during production. These changes are simple the database maturing into new areas.

The 9090DB and it's brothers and sisters the 990DB, 8080DB and 890DB had many production changes during their build run. There are a couple of threads like this one that ask for additional information.

Hope that answers the "mystery."

- Pete
Click to expand...
Pete, the serial # date code was not well known at all in those days. It was not until Sten, aka "Keeper" (who worked for Sansui in Sweden), began to clarify what the sn digits represent that a lot more folks began to be aware that their Sansui units could be deciphered. So, overall, the credit goes to him. Sadly, he passed away about seven years ago, but hopefully he is still fondly remembered.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom