Sansui 5000x... what's your opinion?
- Thread starter Mitch 514
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Here's a list of threads for this unit:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?search/82229185/&q=sansui+5000x&o=date&c[node]=39
Happy reading!
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?search/82229185/&q=sansui+5000x&o=date&c[node]=39
Happy reading!
jd-audio
Well-Known Member
There is a lot of AK (technical) info on this as @kwayde so kindly listed for you.
I can share my experience, as I had a 5000x during ca.1978-1995 and used it intensively:
It served me well during my "wild" teenager years. It took all I threw at it, drove all kind of speakers, mostly LOUD (metal/rock/disco). It was the reliable base of my set up while other parts rotating (often as I blew up things). Often saw the red "protector" sign lit up and had to change a fuse sometimes. Only once blew a channel (while clipping speakers), but quickly back in business after a repair. The changing of some light bulbs was the only other maintenance it ever got. Never had a chance of getting oxidised contacts..
When I settled down it became our living room receiver, now pared with more sophisticated speakers and a cd player. Besides listening to more quality music, we also used the radio for long hours daily. And during parties the old 5000x still proudly showed its experience with loud and bass-heavy disco beats.
Finally it blew a channel (again) and I decided it was time to put the 5000x in to retirement. The facts that I did not have access to a good/reliable repair shop anymore and now had more money to spend contributed to this decision. And I probably just wanted something new and modern after all this time with the "old fashioned" 5000x (in my country receivers were not considered very cool). So I parked the crippled receiver at the attic of my parents (could not bring myself to throw it away) and I bought brand new Marantz "Spitzenklasse.." equipment.
Unfortunately this story has a sad ending: Years later my father gave away the 5000x away together with a (also crippled) Eight Deluxe as “it was just taking up space”..
Bottom line: The Marantz setup I used until ca. 2005 and then replaced them with vintage Sansui.
I recently gave away the Marantz units to a family member. I still regret not having the 5000x anymore as it was versatile, great sounding and reliable. And I loved the "black face" while not on tuner duty!
This is a long story, just to say I agree with you..
Have fun
-John-
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BushmasterM4
Well-Known Member
I have five 5000 series. Couple A's and a couple X's and a 5000 and they all sound great. Not my main receiver (I use a Sansui 9090DB), but they are my backups. And they sound as good as the 9090db. Just cant hit the volume levels the 9090 can. But the value price point of these 5000 series is nice. Hence the reason I keep buying more.
MIJ_Pioneer
Super Member
I love mine! It has a very tube/mellow sound to it before the recap which I really liked. After the recap it really opened up, lost some of that mellow sound but really has that beautiful cap coupled mojo/punch to it. I would never sell mine and use it daily.
I documented my restoration if you are interested: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/5000x-recap.934300/
I documented my restoration if you are interested: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/5000x-recap.934300/
^ that's why I haven't recapped mine. I worry it will change the sound enough that it may lose some of its appeal, to me anyway. A 5000 was the first Sansui I ever heard or saw, at about 4 years old. It's sound (and that of the 5000A and X I own presently) are one of the fundamental reasons I've been a lifelong Sansui adherent.
I've done selective capacitor replacement where needed in both units, but have avoided going full-bore recap in case they might lose their "magic". Of course, I know they will reach a stage where a shotgun recapping will have to be done to maintain reliable operation. Will cross that bridge when I come to it.
I've done selective capacitor replacement where needed in both units, but have avoided going full-bore recap in case they might lose their "magic". Of course, I know they will reach a stage where a shotgun recapping will have to be done to maintain reliable operation. Will cross that bridge when I come to it.
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Hebridean
Active Member
A bit of topic but I've just started restoring a 1968 3000a and I've been amazed by how much out of spec the capacitors are. The main power/filter caps about 30% and just today I did my first board, the equaliser which has eight caps and they were all between 40-60% over. Oddly before looking at it and noticing the bulbous caps it was playing great. So I'd advise certainly replacing the suspects.
Going further OT for a moment here, It is anecdotal, but I've found a pattern of such value drift being especially bad on pre-1970 electroytics. Many of these are also odd values (even numbers like 2000 or 3000 μF versus modern standards like 2200 or 3300) carried over from the tube era. Now, it could just be age related breakdown, or perhaps it is due to caps manufactured in the mid-late 60's being more prone to this mode of failure to begin with. Possibly due to less refined manufacturing techniques of the era.
Certainly we have found many of the early small signal transistors go bad, often due to failure of the lead-to-die bond going south after 50+ years.
Certainly we have found many of the early small signal transistors go bad, often due to failure of the lead-to-die bond going south after 50+ years.
