Sansui 5050 vs. Sansui 7000

[SCI OTR]

Hi Akers,

I own a stock Sansui 5050, no recap or refurbishment. I cleaned at pots/controls with deoxit, but otherwise same as it has ever been.

The Sansui 5050 is sonically in very sound condition, and for the age is quite impressive. The sansui 5050 was my father in-laws stereo reciever, he bought new in the '70s.

The 5050 is really what started my growing interest in Vintage hifi. I have the fever, so to speak.

Anyways, I have the option of purchasing a Sansui 7000, at the $500.00 price point.
The price sounds fair to me, especially since the 7000 has been professionally repaired at a very reputable shop. I will list all the repairs below.

I have done intense research/reading, to try and gain as much knowledge about these early sansui units as possible. I want to make good purchases, not impulse buys.

Here is my question, and any and all input is well regarded.

How much of an upgrade, if any, would the Sansui 7000 be above my current Sansui 5050?

Sound signature, and personal sound reviews are welcomed here, although I understand precieved sound is different for everyone and comes down to personal preference.

The 7000 is a cap coupled design, which I have never actually heard before...Some say is resembles a sort of tube sound.

From my research, the 7000 does not have much info, as it was sort of the enigma, rare, and in a class of its own. Sort of put together from various models, which led to the infamous "sansui eight".

The sansui 7000 is intriguing to me, but your guys input would be appreciated.

 

[SCI OTR]

Repairs preformed on the Sanui 7000

20104 08/21/2022 $350.00 09/20/2022
DATE
ACTIVITY
AMOUNT
Repair
Sansui 7000 Receiver SN#221071735-
Rebuild of the amplifier section.
Replaced main output transistors on one channel.
Replaced all electrolytic capacitors, bad transistors and other components on the amplifier board. Replaced fuse.
Set bias adjustment for both channels.
Replaced all electrolytic capacitors on the power supply and replaced output capacitors and main filter capacitor.
Replaced six light bulbs.
Cleaned all controls and switches and tested all functions.
Ran extended test of the receiver with no problems after service.
$60 Diagnostics Paid
410.00
-60.00
Items must be picked up within 30 days of invoice. Items left over 30 days are subject to a $35 storage fee or become property of Electric City. Full payment due upon receipt. Diagnostics charge is non refundable and applied towards the repair
Repair warranties are non-transferrable. Shipping of item voids warranty
BALANCE DUE
$350.00

 

[Guido57]

Cap coupled do have a different sound than DC amps. I believe the 7000 was the last and most refined of the cap coupled Sansuis, at least according to what I've read on AK. So you would get a different sound, IMAHO. Better? My Sansui 5000a units are not as quiet as my more modern units, though admittedly none of those are Sansui, but they sound just as good. Just different and they run cooler. Reading the list of repairs I get the impression that electrolytic caps were replaced only on the repaired board and not the other channel. So you are looking at 50 year old caps on one F-1315 driver board and all the other supporting boards. As the receipt is for 'Repair' and not 'Rebuild' I don't have a issue, just be aware of the age of the other caps. Worth it? Depends on your cash flow/situation.
By the way, don't be surprised if this thread gets moved to Dollars & Sense.

 

[Guido57]

Since I've fully woken up, this is almost a repeat of an earlier posting, difference is the asking price is now mentioned. Previously I was wondering if the seller was asking an insanely high price. You just need to know at what price working units are actually selling.

 

[SCI OTR]

Since I've fully woken up, this is almost a repeat of an earlier posting, difference is the asking price is now mentioned. Previously I was wondering if the seller was asking an insanely high price. You just need to know at what price working units are actually selling.

You are correct, I have posted regarding the sansui 7000 twice now.

I don't want to impulse buy, looking for suggestions, as AK is the best source of all audio knowledge.

I guess I haven't pulled the trigger to buy it, but can't stop thinking about it.

 

[SCI OTR]

Since I've fully woken up, this is almost a repeat of an earlier posting, difference is the asking price is now mentioned. Previously I was wondering if the seller was asking an insanely high price. You just need to know at what price working units are actually selling.

Also, you seem to be very well versed in the AK forums, guidelines and such, where to post/where not to.

What forum would amp and speaker pairing suggestions get posted?

 

[Guido57]

I used to know a site where one could find final sale prices for recent transactions, but can no longer find it. I thought it was through US AudioMart but I find nothing now. The closest I found was this:
https://classicreceivers.com/sansui-values
which is for 2020.
I don't think the price is out of line with what little I could find. If you have the cash and could take a moderate percentage loss (not that you would necessarily have to) if you have to move it along you may as well go for it.
I wouldn't pay that much but I was also fool enough to buy a 5000a with a burnt out channel for $50 before I learned how to fix this stuff (some of it anyway). I've put roughly another $150 or so of parts into it and too many hours to count, but between it and AK it was a hell of an education. (I also have more time than money)
As to speaker pairing you could post in the Speakers forum. I've run my 5000a's (lucked into a bargain on a second one) through Large Advents, upgraded Hartley Zodiac 74s (similar vintage to the Advents, just more efficient and do everything better) and, my only modern speakers, a pair of ZU Omen Dirty Weekends. Add in a few random others while testing my work. The 5000a was good with all of them and I'm pretty sure the same would hold for the 7000.

 

[SCI OTR]

I used to know a site where one could find final sale prices for recent transactions, but can no longer find it. I thought it was through US AudioMart but I find nothing now. The closest I found was this:
https://classicreceivers.com/sansui-values
which is for 2020.
I don't think the price is out of line with what little I could find. If you have the cash and could take a moderate percentage loss (not that you would necessarily have to) if you have to move it along you may as well go for it.
I wouldn't pay that much but I was also fool enough to buy a 5000a with a burnt out channel for $50 before I learned how to fix this stuff (some of it anyway). I've put roughly another $150 or so of parts into it and too many hours to count, but between it and AK it was a hell of an education. (I also have more time than money)
As to speaker pairing you could post in the Speakers forum. I've run my 5000a's (lucked into a bargain on a second one) through Large Advents, upgraded Hartley Zodiac 74s (similar vintage to the Advents, just more efficient and do everything better) and, my only modern speakers, a pair of ZU Omen Dirty Weekends. Add in a few random others while testing my work. The 5000a was good with all of them and I'm pretty sure the same would hold for the 7000.

I purchased a pair of Advent Legacy II today, with new foam surrounds for $50.00.

Listening to them currently with my Sansui 5050 (33 wpc), great so far...

 

[KeithD]

I don't have a 7000, but do have a 5000X and a 9090. There is a significant difference in sound between these two. You are right about the 7000 being the last and highest powered cap-coupled Sansui; however, it is more scarce than the 5000X, so there likely isn't near as much information on the 7000 as the other cap-coupled Sansui receivers such as the 5000 (three variations) or 2000, etc.

Probably more difficult to establish value on the 7000 since there are a lot less sales to look at vs. a 5000X, for example. If you want to be on the safe side (as far as investment) and want a cap-coupled receiver, I'd be looking for a better known, more common model such as the 5000X or 2000X, among others. Please know that I am not saying the 7000 is not a good receiver (I don't have any experience with it), but rather there is just much more info (and interest) in the more common cap-coupled receivers.

 

[SCI OTR]

I don't have a 7000, but do have a 5000X and a 9090. There is a significant difference in sound between these two. You are right about the 7000 being the last and highest powered cap-coupled Sansui; however, it is more scarce than the 5000X, so there likely isn't near as much information on the 7000 as the other cap-coupled Sansui receivers such as the 5000 (three variations) or 2000, etc.

Probably more difficult to establish value on the 7000 since there are a lot less sales to look at vs. a 5000X, for example. If you want to be on the safe side (as far as investment) and want a cap-coupled receiver, I'd be looking for a better known, more common model such as the 5000X or 2000X, among others. Please know that I am not saying the 7000 is not a good receiver (I don't have any experience with it), but rather there is just much more info (and interest) in the more common cap-coupled receivers.

I appreciate your input. Main reason I am interested in the 7000, it is still available to me, and I talked to the shop that worked on the unit and they said it is ready to go.

Peace of mind when spending money. Plus. I have a 5050 and kinda want to go cap coupled to have something a little different.

I also like the idea that it is rare, only produced 1 year, help pave the way for the "eight", and it is sort of the Swiss army knife of sansui receivers, and boasting 70wpc, actually producing more like 90wpc

 

[KeithD]

I also like the idea that it is rare, only produced 1 year, help pave the way for the "eight", and it is sort of the Swiss army knife of sansui receivers, and boasting 70wpc, actually producing more like 90wpc

Understand your reasoning on what you can purchase locally and service history. However, it did not "pave the way" for the Eight. The Eight came before the 7000. Take a look at Pete's serial number database for years of manufacture.

 

[markd51]

To me, that doesn't sound like a bad price. One factor of value is condition? Is any warranty offered?

I owned a 7000, originally was a gift given to my mother after a Marantz 2238B I bought her failed and went down.

The 7000 was not a unit sold in stores, only was sold at Military BX/PX Stores.

 

[SCI OTR]

To me, that doesn't sound like a bad price. One factor of value is condition? Is any warranty offered?

I owned a 7000, originally was a gift given to my mother after a Marantz 2238B I bought her failed and went down.

The 7000 was not a unit sold in stores, only was sold at Military BX/PX Stores.

I spoke to the owner of the vintage shop, he said he would fix anything pertaining to work his shop did, but if any other issues arise that would be added cost.

The unit is in great shape, only missing a few of the stickers of the buttons.

There is a guy who makes replacement stickers. Which would need to be ordered.

It comes with the original box, packing foam, all schematics, manuals, and original paperwork from original sell as well.

 

[eiraved]

The unit is in great shape, only missing a few of the stickers of the buttons.
There is a guy who makes replacement stickers. Which would need to be ordered.

If memory serves me right, AKer @smurfer77 makes replacement button stickers for the 7000, as well as for the Six, Seven, Eight and Eight Deluxe models.