Noobie's observations on Pioneer SX-939 vs Sansui Eight Deluxe

Stink Bear

Stink Bear

Active Member
I am not much of an audiophile, but I've had a Pioneer SX-939 for about 200 years and I like it. I recently acquired a Sansui Eight Deluxe at our local transfer site (a place where there are dumpsters and an area to leave things that are good that are no longer wanted), it was hidden among some other things and looked a little rough. I didn't look at it much as I was in a hurry but I realized it was older, and when I went to pick it up I thought it was heavy for it's size. I did notice the Sasui label as I was putting it in my truck.
When I got home I took it in the house and started looking at it. I plugged it in and it powered up, so I put it in place of my 939 and plugged in a tape deck, a CD player, and speakers. It played but didn't sound too good at first, especially when turning the knobs, but everything worked so I decided to clean it up. I removed the cabinet, the face plate, and the bottom cover and did a fairly good cleaning on it with a vacuum and a brush, and a damp rag, then blew it out with compressed air. It was pretty dusty but cleaned up very well, there are a couple of very small dings in the face plate, not even noticeable unless you're very close, and all of the markings are there and in good shape.
When I fired it up again it sounded great. The power cord was butchered, someone did a very poor job of splicing in about 3 ft of cord so I ordered a cord off of ebay. Today I installed the cord and decided to use the receiver for a while. I want to put some time on it to check for issues and to see how I like it.
I have read comments of people saying they like the mellow sound that the Pioneers produce, I never really got that but I think I do now. My impression is that the Sansui has a more crisp, harsher sound, and more tinny(?) than the Pioneer, still a good sound though. Anyone else have thoughts on this comparison? Speakers are Pioneer CS-C9900's.
I like the Sansui, it has a nice clean, simple look to it. I especially the green display. I may grow to like it more over time, but at this point I like the Pioneer better.
I hope to either send my Pioneer somewhere to have it re-capped, or maybe do it myself, so the Sansui will be a good temporary replacement if that actually happens.
 
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Something might be wrong with your 8D. I don't think the 8D is harsh or tinny. Probably the best ss receiver I have owned or heard.

Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz, Concept, Sherwood, Sanyo, Realistic, Nikko, JVC and others, are brands I have heard.
 
You are comparing 2 different receivers for audio quality after they've met their 40th year? That's roughly the equivalent of driving 2 1970s vintage cars and then commenting on why the brakes don't work too well. Both models are well-known for noisy transistors, too, so be prepared for that. They'll typically start with a low-level crackling sound. At some point, things will get much worse to the point the speaker relays will start disconnecting the speakers.

I'd suggest that you plan on a recap and then re-evaluate the both of them. Then, you'll know what you were missing.

Cheers,

David
 
Hello Stink Bear. Welcome to AK. If you need the Service Manuals you can find them on HiFi Engine.com. Just register and download for free. Also DeOxit is recommended for cleaning pots and switches. Good luck with the Pioneer and the Sansui.
 
IMHO the Eight Deluxe is one of the best sounding receivers I've ever heard. Build quality on them is second to none. They are well worth the expense and effort to get running right. I've known two people who owned them and neither of them would let them go, and believe me, I tried to buy both of them.
 
I have haven't owned an eight deluxe but l would think it should sound the opposite to harsh or tinny, as the other guys have said neither unit will sound like it should with all original parts. I have an SX-939 that l recapped and replaced many of the transistors in and it is night and day different in sound than what it was previously, would highly recommend this work.
 
When I first got my Eight Deluxe it sounded tinny to me as well. I set the bias (which was very low) and re-capped the tone board.
It now sounds punchy and accurate.

Give it a chance.

Rob
 
If I was to choose two 70s receivers to own it would probably be these two.Their old though and most likely need servicing.
 
I own a Sansui 8 Deluxe. It doesn't sound bright at all. Sounds more like a tubed amp. Very smooth and natural sounding with plenty of punch! It's nickname is "The Engineer's" receiver by the high quality build. Some say it's the best sounding Sansui ever made. The "8 Deluxe" model is on the rare side! Was manufactured in the early 1970s. Hang onto it!!
 
Just stumbled across this post. I lost track of it somehow.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you all for the replies. I'm sorry it's so late.
I still have both receivers, and I've acquired more. I have started re-capping an SX-990 for practice, if all goes well I will probably re-cap the SX-939 myself.
I got rid of the Pioneer speakers. I am running the Pioneer through Advent Heritage's, and the Sansui through Bic Venturi V62's. I am learning more about speakers and
finding out that they make a big difference. Maybe one of these days I will build or buy a switch to run either receiver through the Advents.
After having both receivers for a while I'm not sure I have a preference. I like them both.
 
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