Sansui 3000A
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tom3
Super Member
Hooked mine up to the computer the other day, Pulled up Youtube, Carrie Underwood, Blown Away (studio version). Pretty amazing. The thunder in the background goes down to about 10 hz seems like, feel it as much as hear it. I worry about my speakers taking this abuse. Best bass response without a sub there is I think. Just wish it had two tape monitor sws. Excellent tuners, 5 stage IF.
Yup, not the prettiest girl in the chior, but man! Can she sing!
I open 3000A cover today- meter light burned out
I noticed this 3000A is highly modified with Elna Silmic II caps. some poly upgrades in place of electrolytic & newer transistors (not stock).
Thus, I do not know what a stock 3000A sounds like, but this one is obviously different now. Not complaining either.
I noticed this 3000A is highly modified with Elna Silmic II caps. some poly upgrades in place of electrolytic & newer transistors (not stock).
Thus, I do not know what a stock 3000A sounds like, but this one is obviously different now. Not complaining either.
3000A with caps, or without....
The output caps in the kit that Sansui kindly provided to owners (free, but you had to install it or have a service center do it) are there to help keep the receiver from:
A) Blowing up and
B) Setting you woofers on fire in the blowing up process.
These are very worthy purposes.
Unfortunately, the capacitors also drastically alter the low end below 30 or 40Hz. If you prefer the sound of a 3000A with caps, you may not like the better low end of one that is original, and still works.
Probably, what you like about the sound of your 3000 (A) has more to do with its very low damping factor. High Q speakers get a lot fatter with low damping amps. Low damping is part of the "tube sound".
Many classic speakers prefer low damping amps. Altec A-7s, for example LOVE poorly damped amps. A-7s do not sound right driven by Threshold or other super tight output amps, no matter how technically superior they may be.
TG
The output caps in the kit that Sansui kindly provided to owners (free, but you had to install it or have a service center do it) are there to help keep the receiver from:
A) Blowing up and
B) Setting you woofers on fire in the blowing up process.
These are very worthy purposes.
Unfortunately, the capacitors also drastically alter the low end below 30 or 40Hz. If you prefer the sound of a 3000A with caps, you may not like the better low end of one that is original, and still works.
Probably, what you like about the sound of your 3000 (A) has more to do with its very low damping factor. High Q speakers get a lot fatter with low damping amps. Low damping is part of the "tube sound".
Many classic speakers prefer low damping amps. Altec A-7s, for example LOVE poorly damped amps. A-7s do not sound right driven by Threshold or other super tight output amps, no matter how technically superior they may be.
TG
dr*audio
Fish fingers and custard!
I have a 3000A in my garage system. Wonderful tuner. I totally replaced the power amp in mine. It's a different approach than Tom's. I used NEC driver IC's and new complementary output transistors. I think the IC is a UPC1298, no longer available. It is an excellent sounding amp, nice and warm sounding and stable.
I disagree with those that don't like the looks of the 3000A. It looks very similar to the HH Scott 340B receiver.
3000A
HH Scott 340B
I disagree with those that don't like the looks of the 3000A. It looks very similar to the HH Scott 340B receiver.
3000A
HH Scott 340B
I think it's quite attractive, but the rather uncommon wood case makes it look even prettier.
Perhaps a one ohm series resistor in series with speaker on a higher dampening factor would migrate to a more tube sound.
I do not care for PP tube amps, even after mods. I tend to modify to almost clinical sounding. Power triode PP 45 tube is ok if the phase splitter is designed well. SET amps are best, but a Sony 6060FW with dampening factor of 50 really tickles my ears. Very musical sounding. A new Epcos ultra low mohm cap increased to 4700uF in PS dials in the bass.
oconnorweb
Active Member
Sansui 3000A with case
spaghetti
Active Member
Got one yesterday, 3000A with metal case, it's missing all power transistors and speaker fuses, it's unmodified so I suspect the previous owner speakers had a bad time with it.
It's still nice cosmetically, I haven't tried to turn it on yet, just spent the morning cleaning it. Built in february 1968, it was accordingly dirty inside.
I see the official mod uses 1K uF coupling caps, can the capacitance be increased safely or is it strictly related to the surrounding electronics?
Thanks
Andrea
It's still nice cosmetically, I haven't tried to turn it on yet, just spent the morning cleaning it. Built in february 1968, it was accordingly dirty inside.
I see the official mod uses 1K uF coupling caps, can the capacitance be increased safely or is it strictly related to the surrounding electronics?
Thanks
Andrea
dr*audio
Fish fingers and custard!
1000uF gives you a -3dB at 20Hz, so increase it to 4700uF for approx. 5Hz.
spaghetti
Active Member
Thank you. Meanwhile, cleaning is finished, here's a picture of my heavy beauty: https://www.flickr.com/photos/123886295@N08/16068698848/in/photostream/lightbox/
Tomorrow I will test it
Tomorrow I will test it
spaghetti
Active Member
Thanks, yes I still own most of them. And some more that are not listed yet ;-)
spaghetti
Active Member
Thanks for the hint. Today I tested the receiver, something is still working. One channel is quieter at the exit of the tone control board, I guess there's some dry coupling caps.
I haven't checked the power amp section yet, FM works but no stereo and the signal is low. More drying caps around, my guess.
I noticed that the top meal cover doesn't fit perfectly, maybe it was taken from a similar model with same width but slightly taller.
Bottom line, there's a lot to work to make it functional.
I did the coupling cap mod on my 3000a using 1000uF caps and it sounds very good. I was wondering if changing to 4700uF caps would improve the lower end enough to make it worth while.Also what brand and type of cap would be suggested if it was worth doing. The Sansui is now 45 yrs old and after I did the recap 2 yrs ago of the audio path, I hope it will continue for many more years. Thanks in advance
I have a Sansui 3000 model / very rare in germany
Andrea:
There are still a few suzuki paper in oil caps in the unit,
preamp C708 = 0,001 and c727, also in the the power supply.
These caps must be replaced, they are mostly leaky. I think this has never
been mentioned in the discussion over the 3000 / 3000a.
I also replaced the bias pots and recapped it
Mine has the upgrade kit in, I removed the 1000uf coupling caps, rewired
and set the bias. Also changed r714 and r739 to 18K for flat setting the tonecontrolls.
I have no problem with the stability so far, sounds very good, tube like.
Peter
Andrea:
There are still a few suzuki paper in oil caps in the unit,
preamp C708 = 0,001 and c727, also in the the power supply.
These caps must be replaced, they are mostly leaky. I think this has never
been mentioned in the discussion over the 3000 / 3000a.
I also replaced the bias pots and recapped it
Mine has the upgrade kit in, I removed the 1000uf coupling caps, rewired
and set the bias. Also changed r714 and r739 to 18K for flat setting the tonecontrolls.
I have no problem with the stability so far, sounds very good, tube like.
Peter
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