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Sansui 5000x Restore Questions (bulb replacement and push button)

zelgy1

zelgy1

Member
Good day all! I'm on to my next project, restoring a Sansui 5000x. I have searched many sites, including this one, for answers and I can't seem to find what I am looking for.
First, my unit has the fuse style lamps. Is it easiest to replace by removing the tuner glass panel or replacing from within the unit? Any suggestions or first hand accounts would be appreciated.
Second, I am in need of a single, black push button as my unit is missing one. I know fleabay has a few, but the price is not favorable and wanting to know if someone here would be willing to sell one at a reasonable price?
Third, does this unit have any transistors that are troublesome and should be replaced?
As always, greatly appreciate any feedback!
Jon
 
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zelgy1 said:
Good day all! I'm on to my next project, restoring a Sansui 5000x. I have searched many sites, including this one, for answers and I can't seem to find what I am looking for.
First, my unit has the fuse style lamps. Is it easiest to replace by removing the tuner glass panel or replacing from within the unit? Any suggestions or first hand accounts would be appreciated.
Second, I am in need of a single, black push button as my unit is missing one. I know fleabay has a few, but the price is not favorable and wanting to know if someone here would be willing to sell one at a reasonable price?
Third, does this unit have any transistors that are troublesome and should be replaced?
As always, greatly appreciate any feedback!
Jon
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Replacing the lamps requires that you remove the faceplate. There's no other way to get to them.
 
Airjmax said:
I've replaced those lamps recently, and there's no way to do it without removing the faceplate. Your assumption is incorrect.
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If its like the 4000 you are correct. I'm not sure if it is, but its very likely it is. If so there is no way of getting around it like you said. I replaced the lamps on a 4000 and it required more than I thought just like you said. Removal of the face plate.
 
zelgy1 said:
Appreciate the feedback! Through the faceplate I shall go!
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Could you (or anyone else) share any tips on the bulb replacement? I have the fuse type bulbs as well. Is it straight forward? The service manual is next to useless. And I have a stupid question. I know there are 7 fuse lamps, but the kit I saw also includes 5 other wired bulbs. Is one for the needle and the other four for the lower indicators on the right under the push buttons? I ask because I would order from parts express but I don't see a kit from them.
 
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there are 4 lighting the dial,2 under on the right side and 2 more on the left for the meters..the bottom meter is tricky, if I remember the left side 2 are accessed from behind inside..they have little stops built into the holders and sizes between models/brands are different in length..I dont know about single incandescents like the one for the pointer, but it is very fragile to replace without damage to the pointer..all the snap-in ones are easy except 1
 
mycuff said:
Could you (or anyone else) share any tips on the bulb replacement? I have the fuse type bulbs as well. Is it straight forward? The service manual is next to useless. And I have a stupid question. I know there are 7 fuse lamps, but the kit I saw also includes 5 other wired bulbs. Is one for the needle and the other four for the lower indicators on the right under the push buttons? I ask because I would order from parts express but I don't see a kit from them.
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I'll be honest, I never did replace the bulbs as they are all still lit and I could not figure out how to get to them. Appreciated everyone's thoughts on the matter above, but there was no definitive answer as to how to replace them. I know someone out there has done this, so feed us a bone. My guess is that I will need to perform replacement at some point as well, so would be great to know. As far as the additional bulbs in the kit to which you referred, 4 for the input select indicator lamps above the tuner dial and 1 for tuner needle lamp.
 
zelgy1 said:
I'll be honest, I never did replace the bulbs as they are all still lit and I could not figure out how to get to them. Appreciated everyone's thoughts on the matter above, but there was no definitive answer as to how to replace them. I know someone out there has done this, so feed us a bone. My guess is that I will need to perform replacement at some point as well, so would be great to know. As far as the additional bulbs in the kit to which you referred, 4 for the input select indicator lamps above the tuner dial and 1 for tuner needle lamp.
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If you are curious, I would just remove the case, take a look, and you'll know for sure. I haven't had to replace any on my 5000x but just did a 1000x. The tuner face bulbs could only be accessed by taking the face all off. 1000x only has one meter and its bulb is accessed from within, as are the little function indicator bulbs (so if just doing those no need to remove face, just the case). Be very careful as when I got it all buttoned up my dial light was no longer working.
 
I did pull it out from the case, and several of the tuning dial lights are the lights that are bad. Plus several of the ones on the lower right. Good to know what the other lights are for. Thanks to all for your help so far.
 
"Sansui 1000X Repair 2/3 - Replacing Lamps" I found on youtube may be the best example of how to do this. Hopefully the technique for the 5000x has no major differences. I just bought the kit from stereolamps.com which includes the 7 fuse bulbs and 5 other wired bulbs. Will post when I'm finished, or more likely when I get stuck in the middle of the project...
 
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Well I was mostly successful. The youtube video mentioned above was very helpful. The tips in the video were perfect for replacing the six fuse lamps that were easily accessible, so that is all I did. The fuse lamp behind the meters was still working and looked like it would be a challenge. Not sure how I would replace it. The four standard bulbs up top also looked difficult. Two were out, but I can live with that for now. At least the pointer is working. So a few other tips: Even though I felt like I was being careful, I still put a couple little scratches on the face plate when removing some of the more challenging screw-off pieces. I also used pliers with tap on them, and put tape on the faceplate. Having the right tool would have helped. Also, when putting the faceplate back on, leave the screws on top loose until you tighten the threaded parts back on to the front of the faceplate. For those, I only hand tightened to avoid any more scratches. Also, this was a personal preference, but I got the brighter "cool" bulbs and faced them out for the best illumination. I first faced them inward but changed my mind. It is bright, but still evenly distributed, i.e. I can't pick out the location for each bulb. If I had to do it again, I could easily replace the same six bulbs in under 30 minutes. Anyone can do this.
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mycuff said:
Well I was mostly successful. The youtube video mentioned above was very helpful. The tips in the video were perfect for replacing the six fuse lamps that were easily accessible, so that is all I did. The fuse lamp behind the meters was still working and looked like it would be a challenge. Not sure how I would replace it. The four standard bulbs up top also looked difficult. Two were out, but I can live with that for now. At least the pointer is working. So a few other tips: Even though I felt like I was being careful, I still put a couple little scratches on the face plate when removing some of the more challenging screw-off pieces. Also, when putting the faceplate on, leave the screws on top loose until you tighten the threaded parts back on to the front of the faceplate. For those, I only hand tightened to avoid any more scratches. Also, this was a personal preference, but I got the brighter "cool" bulbs and faced them out for the best illumination. I first faced them inward but changed my mind. It is bright, but still evenly distributed, i.e. I can't pick out the location for each bulb.
View attachment 1764800 View attachment 1764801 View attachment 1764802
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Well done. I also put in LED lamps, which didn’t overwhelm like some replacements I’ve seen. I should have cautioned you to wrap your pliers with tape before removing the headphone jack nut and others to keep from scratching the faceplate.
 
Airjmax said:
Well done. I also put in LED lamps, which didn’t overwhelm like some replacements I’ve seen. I should have cautioned you to wrap your pliers with tape before removing the headphone jack nut and others to keep from scratching the faceplate.
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If you have access to a 3d printer, someone at qrxrestore has uploaded a "headphone nut" removal tool. Works like a charm and is made of plastic!
It's available for free download at Thingiverse.com
 

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mycuff said:
Well I was mostly successful. The youtube video mentioned above was very helpful. The tips in the video were perfect for replacing the six fuse lamps that were easily accessible, so that is all I did. The fuse lamp behind the meters was still working and looked like it would be a challenge. Not sure how I would replace it. The four standard bulbs up top also looked difficult. Two were out, but I can live with that for now. At least the pointer is working. So a few other tips: Even though I felt like I was being careful, I still put a couple little scratches on the face plate when removing some of the more challenging screw-off pieces. I also used pliers with tap on them, and put tape on the faceplate. Having the right tool would have helped. Also, when putting the faceplate back on, leave the screws on top loose until you tighten the threaded parts back on to the front of the faceplate. For those, I only hand tightened to avoid any more scratches. Also, this was a personal preference, but I got the brighter "cool" bulbs and faced them out for the best illumination. I first faced them inward but changed my mind. It is bright, but still evenly distributed, i.e. I can't pick out the location for each bulb. If I had to do it again, I could easily replace the same six bulbs in under 30 minutes. Anyone can do this.
View attachment 1764800 View attachment 1764801 View attachment 1764802
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Glad you got the bulk of it taken care of and thanks for the pics. As I said in earlier post, none of my 5000x bulbs are out and had only been inside my 1000x (and now a 2000a and 350A). Similar but I was curious as to the small lights on the face below the right side buttons. Now I know it is a pair of fuse lights. Sorry you scratched the face a little. I used electrical tape on my pliers and tried to keep them so they were just off the face and was lucky with no scratches. Although I think I'd have traded a small scratch against losing my pointer needle light (still don't know what happened to cause that; I guess the same thing that happened to the guy in the 1000x bulb video). I did 1 of the 2 function lights that were out on the 1000X as for a novice like me they were difficult. I punted on the one that had very little lead wire coming out of a protective harness as I didn't want to chance damaging something with my novice soldering.
 
I hear you on the novice soldering. I bought some mid grade equipment and have done some basic stuff, but I'm not comfortable doing any soldering that requires finesse. As far as the scratches, I did put tape on both the pliers and also the faceplate itself, and I still managed to scratch it! Anyway, it is back in business. Since I have been tinkering with several units, I have alternated my listening back and forth between the sansui and a JVC R-S77. Today I played them both with the same music. First of all they both sound great to my ears, with power/headroom that seems effortless at reasonable volumes. Still, I surprisingly would give the nod to the JVC. It has all the goodness of the Sansui, but the bass seems just as robust while also being tighter, and the highs are crisper.

The funny thing is, the Sansui looks new inside (and also outside pretty much). A friend gave it to me and he got it from his uncle who bought it new when he was in the Navy during Vietnam. It was well loved and pampered all its life. I even have the original inner and outer boxes! The JVC on the other hand, though almost a decade newer, looks rode hard and put away wet. The innards are grimy, corroded and basically looks like it is ready to go up in smoke. I've cleaned it up some with deoxit on the buttons and faderlube on the sliders, but frankly I'm afraid to do anything else. It has no right to sound as good as it does, and I don't want to jinx it.
 
I indeed did scratch the nuts themselves on a 5000a. I've checked eVay and no one has them. I tried Oaktree and they didn't have them. Does anyone know where I could get a couple? And is there any way to get the scratches out? Please don't laugh at that question :)
 
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