Sansui 3300

[Audio Fan]

Greetings all. Not having owned a Sansui in a while, I haven't ventured into this forum in some time. I recently took on cleaning up a Sansui 3300 (see thread http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=327982) but I wanted to post a thread here to see if anyone had any info about this model, year made primarily.

It is a beauty of a little receiver.

 

[nosirrah]

Greetings all. Not having owned a Sansui in a while, I haven't ventured into this forum in some time. I recently took on cleaning up a Sansui 3300 (see thread http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=327982) but I wanted to post a thread here to see if anyone had any info about this model, year made primarily.

It is a beauty of a little receiver.

Post the serial number, and someone may answer the question of when it was made.
I have a couple of those receivers, they are it seems a bit rare, but beautiful.

 

[Audio Fan]

Here we go, the serial is 222051633.

It does seem they are not too common. Maybe only sold thru the military stores abroad?? The previous owner was a military veteran, so I know he bought it while in the service.

 

[ZebraBlvd]

Nice looking 3300, AF. As for when yours was made (based on SN) would be May of 1972, and was the 1,633 of that years run. The SN coding breaks down like this:

a. 1st & 2nd digits = Factory #
b. 3rd digit = Year manufactured
c. 4th & 5th digits = Month manufactured
d. Remaining digits = the ???? one produced of that years run

 

[savoirfaire]

Here we go, the serial is 222051633.

It does seem they are not too common. Maybe only sold thru the military stores abroad?? The previous owner was a military veteran, so I know he bought it while in the service.

Is it bad form to pull up a year-old thread? I just wanted to say that your theory about the 3300 being sold through military stores only may be accurate. I just bought a 3300 and the previous (original) owner was a veteran as well. In fact, he gave me the original receipt from when he bought it at the Exchange Service for $247 in 1973! 2 cases out of 2 doesn't prove anything, but it sure seems more than coincidental.

 

[aileenamegan]

I have two. Can't check the history of one of them. But the other one has been bought in Hongkong by a german Lufthansa Pilot. I got all the papers from his son when I picked it up. Anyway - a very rare receiver indeed. Like his brother Sansui 4000.

 

[nosirrah]

Another clue is often on the cover, if it has a sticker that says "EP" it was from a USN Navy Exchange store if my theory is correct.

 

[Tichu]

I have two. Can't check the history of one of them. But the other one has been bought in Hongkong by a german Lufthansa Pilot. I got all the papers from his son when I picked it up. Anyway - a very rare receiver indeed. Like his brother Sansui 4000.

4000 and 3300 combo, both with wood case.
You can see the 3300 is somewhat larger.

 

[tiga]

How do the two compare sound-wise? I have the 5500 (larger version of the 3300) and I'm curious how it stacks up to some of the other Sansui models.

4000 and 3300 combo, both with wood case.
You can see the 3300 is somewhat larger.

 

[nosirrah]

I think they are comparable....I do like the 3300....

 

[henri-61]

Howdy do-folks,what is up with some of these alien 68'-73' Sansui models such as the 300,3300,and the 3500?-they definitely aren't randomly available models and finding info on some are nil.-they all have various design differences yet have the same operating features and range as other models released the same year (i.e. a 350 and an 800)..and really I don't recall any stories of a euro/asian/us design division of that era-I haven't searched the forum for a catwalk of Sansui's more uncommon models-I figure with a 1KA,5Kx and an 800, I have the bases modestly covered.It's because of how killer the 800 sounds as to my curiosity about the smaller more obscure units like a 400 or something-I've been up and down the vint. hi-fi alley for 20 years and I just think they're the best of all..how about a photo of inside a px back then.?.that would be crazy..

 

[Zvezda]

All I can say is that the 3300 that I recently passed on to my girlfriend is a great sounding, great looking and well built unit. The push button switches feel much more firm and solid than the buttons on my G-5000. I just wish I could find a shred of documentation of it.

 

[nosirrah]

I have 2 of them, it appears they came from the Navy Exchange system.
Just a lovely receiver....

 

[Skydogg11]

Sorry for bringing up this old thread, but yes i believe you guys are correct about the 3300. I am lucky enough to own one. My father handed it down to me a couple years back. He bought it off a Vet that just got back to the US from Vietnam in 69-71 range.

I just had to have mine repaired for some minor internal issues it was having (after 40 years). Spent $140 on a cleaning, couple parts and service. Not alot of experience, but it is the best sounding and LOUDEST reciever I have ever heard.

These guys pride themselves on fixing vintage audio equipment..the BEST around -

Magnetic Tape & Recorder
601 Baxter Ave,
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 587-1848

 

[JoshHendi]

Yea it's kind of cool knowing these aren't as common and at one time or another, a serviceman owned it

 

[jimtulsa]

yep

 

[Bob Kramer]

Excuse my post for being late to the party and a first time poster. I am the original owner of a Sansui 3300 purchased from the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange in 1974. It has the EP sticker and based on the serial number was 42nd unit built in February of 1974. It is an awsome receiver.

 

[FabRik8r]

No excuses here … I think it helps some topics with supporting information over time. I recently was given a Sansui 3300 from the original owner. A Navy vet who bought at the PE in Japan. I should have asked what city. I lived in Okinowa a few years early 60’s. My dad was an Air Force pilot … F-105 Thunderchief. Thank God he is still alive

I already have a nice Sansui Definition Series stack: TU-9900, CA-3000 and BA-3000, along with a CA-2000. All fantastic. But I’m surprised at this 3300. Heavy as a tank and a nice sound quality that I have come to respect from Sansui’s good years.

The serial number on my 3300 is 222050751, so it would appear to be the 751st unit in May 1972, which is the year we moved to the house my Dad still lives in.

I was going to mention that it looks like the RCA jacks are not aluminum but possibly stainless steel? This unit looks almost new. My tech is a friend and I trust his work. He went in and checked the unit over and it sounded so good we decided to leave it stock at this point, aside from adding some bypass caps and something else I don’t recall. The headphone board is surprisingly good and I like that you can easily notice changes as you select filter buttons. I think the only improvement I would like is that the dots on the Bass and Treble knobs is hard to read for me, and the separate L/R channels are not easy to move independently. Minor thing.