Puzzling TU-217

[RCA Plugger]

This is on a Dutch selling site. Seller says it works including lighting (Tu-217 doesn't have any) and it has an American type power plug while it says 220 Volts. US is 110 Volts as far as I know. It won't fit any dutch socket so how does he know it works...

It may be from Thailand, since they use similar power plugs to the US but 220 volts 50Hz. Anyway I think it's fishy. Any thoughts? Maybe the TU-217 was sold with lights in Asia? Or more likely the seller just hasn't tested it.

 

[Robisme]

It's got a couple red lights on it. Maybe that's what they mean. I can't see the voltage tag on the back real well, but it looks like it may be a multi-voltage unit. I have had a few Sansui pieces with 220 stickers on them, but they were already set to 120.

Rob

 

[RCA Plugger]

I am sure he would have said lights instead of lighting if he meant the power and stereo led. This version of the 217 doesn't seem to come with a voltage switch.

 

[Sansuiman]

The picture in the first post shows it is a general export version (100/120/220/240 volts AC 50/60 Hz). The selector is accessed internally. Units so equipped always had a two blade North American style plug from the factory. A plug adapter could be used (along with setting the voltage selector as needed) for use in other locales worldwide.

It is conceivable dial lighting could've been retrofitted. The TU-317 did have dial lighting standard, but to add it to a 217 would be a bit complicated as the light diffuser along the top edge of the dial scale was not present. So, either a series of lightbulb/LEDs along the length, and/or some sort of homemade diffuser would have to be made and installed to achieve a uniform illumination effect.

So to would adding edge lighting for the signal strength meter be needed to do the job right. The 217 also lacks the secodnary tap on the transformer to supply the 7 volts for the lamps, so a second transformer or some type of additional power supply controlled by the power switch would need to be added.

 

[RCA Plugger]

Thx. I think I will just let it be and wait for a 317 to come along (or a 517/717)

 

[jd-audio]

Thx. I think I will just let it be and wait for a 317 to come along (or a 517/717)

The US power plug is very common on Dutch Sansui items: In the Netherlands all Sansui equipment of that era came in from Japan with these US wall socket plugs (but suited for 220/240V). The Dutch distributor only changed them on the amps before sending them to the dealers. With the tuners (etc.) there was a lose EU plug added to the box. Reason was that most Sansui amps had these US sockets on the rear and you could plug in the tuner in te rear of the amp (but only with the US plug).

The TU-217 is a nice tuner (correct, no dial lights, only power and stereo led, sellers often simply do not know their stuff .. only prices ), technically almost identical to the TU-317 (not a lot sold in the Netherlands, probalby not easier to find as a 417/517/717).

As the FM broadcast is coming to an end in the Netherlands, it raises the question how wise it is to invest money in the more expesive tuners

So far nothing fishy..
BUT I do find the look of (what I think is) the serial number sticker on the rear of the tuner a bit strange (different from all I have seen on AU/TU-x17 items).

But what the heck, as these tuners should be relatively inexpensive, your risk should be limited.. and it still is a Sansui and will pair very nice with an AU-x17 amp (if you have one)

Have fun
-John-

 

[RCA Plugger]

Public radio will be on FM at least until 2030. I am hoping the removal of FM from cable will flood the market with tuners . Also I am hoping on DAB+ converters I can connect to my tuner or maybe even streaming audio.

 

[Sansuiman]

Just an observation: tbe TU-217 in the first post does have a normal serial nunber sticker, but it is obscured by the power cord being bundled up. There is another sticker of unknown origin above it that is fully visible.

As an off topic aside, I wasn't aware FM broadcasting was being phased out in The Netherlands. I knew AM had been turned down in much of Europe, but to see FM getting scratched surprised me a little. Here in the US both AM and FM are stiill carrying on as they were, but the economic viability of commercial terrestrial radio is poor ane getting worse. An increasing number of AM stations are simply shutting down and surrendering their licenses.

I suppose we in the US will eventually see abandonment of conventional AM and maybe even FM radio as the thirst for wireless internet spectrum continues to grow unabated. Not quite there yet, however.

 

[RCA Plugger]

It's an European wide thing. Sadly enough 128kbps is the best you can hope for on DAB+, many commercial stations just transmit the analogue conversion of their compressed DAB+ stream. Often 96kbps or even 64.

 

[jd-audio]

Just an observation: tbe TU-217 in the first post does have a normal serial nunber sticker, but it is obscured by the power cord being bundled up. There is another sticker of unknown origin above it that is fully visible.

Next time I first put on my glasses

Public radio will be on FM at least until 2030. I am hoping the removal of FM from cable will flood the market with tuners

Nice to hear, so the tuners won't be absolete very quickly
I actually seldom listen to the radio, but must say the TU-217 has a very nice sound to it (but needs a strong signal to have a quiet backgrond). And side-by-side the TU-717 sounds even much better (and quieter). I also have a TU-517 but can't recall how it sounds.

Have fun
-John-

 

[PE9ZZ]

I've had Sansui tuners marked 220V and with parallel blade power plugs on my workbench. I even believe a US->Europe (4mm) adapter was in the box.