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Sansui A-603 Moving Coil Transformer help needed.

Weren't there 100 of each (AU-111 vintage and AU-111G vintage) produced? Did they use the same carton for both perhaps? Or maybe production and distribution of the G variant began before specific cartons for it were were ready. These were very small runs, so who knows exactly what took place. Being unit #1 of April 2001 confers some significance on that unit, especially if it was the very first one made overall. As it stands, there are no earlier serial numbers on record.

@mjs1, does your box have a serial number on it, and does it match the unit that was inside? If not, maybe the original owner had one of each and mixed up the cartons. Just kicking around possibilities here.
 
Hi Sansuiman.

I am 74 y/0 and put the box in “a safe place” several years ago. “Safe” means that it will not be easy for me to find. It is either in the attic or the barn wrapped in protective plastic. I copied the serial number off the amplifier not the box. However, if my memory can be trusted, after I realized it was a G, which it definitely is, I checked the box which confirmed that it was a G.

Marc
 
Ok, no need to trouble yourself digging it out. Was just looking to satiate my curiosity over minutiae.
 
I also don’t think that there is any contradiction. Serial numbers go FF Y MM #### and briefly looking at the Sansui data base I would guess that the #### refers to the unit made on the factory line (FF) that month. It appears that all of the Gs listed were made on line 60 in 2001. Mine was the first made in April. The 60001 was the first made in June. Our data base acconts for 22+37=59 of the Gs. I admit that I can be wrong about this.

Marc
 
Yes, the last four digits represent the build sequence number, starting at 0001. However, that number resets each month at 0001 again for every production line. Therefore, if it can eventually be established no other AU-111G was built prior to April 2001, then yours truly would be the very first unit made.

Which I find intriguing, if only because you'd think maybe it would have been given - or sold - to a VIP (such as a company director or other high ranking employee) as a memento of a remarkable outfit that was about to draw it's last breath. But perhaps the Japanese are not so sentimental about such milestones as Americans tend to be.

Even companies like GM would often keep the first or last built unit of a significant car model as a commemorative museum piece. The first built unit of the last product ever made strikes me as being noteworthy.
 
Thanks, wasn't sure the details on total production. Also didn't realize before this thread that the 111 Vintage was made 1999, where the G variant was made in 2001. I'd been of the impression that there wasn't so much of a gap between production of the two models.
 
_mano. Thanks for your experience. The MC Transformers are in and sounding great. Now for some tube rolling
 
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Just curious: do either of these re-releases come up for sale periodically, or is that just wishful thinking? I’ve been keeping an eye out but haven’t spotted one over the last 2 years or so.
 
Hunleyj said:
do either of these re-releases come up for sale periodically,
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Every now and again yes - but very rarely, and you have to be quick.
Hunleyj said:
or is that just wishful thinking?
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Mostly.
Hunleyj said:
I’ve been keeping an eye out but haven’t spotted one over the last 2 years or so.
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I had to wait 3½ years before I found a popular, but much more common model Sansui that I wanted, in the right condition.
 
johnny_fever said:
I recently found a beautiful pair of vintage NOS Sansui A-603 Pickup/Mic Transformers. I have a Sansui AU-111G Vintage made in 2001. It calls for a A-603S TF. With 0 info globally I have to ask here if they might be compatible? Here is the face diagrams. I wanna try my Denon DL-110 (MC) on my SR-929. Thanks. Rick
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Hi Jonny, Curious, how did the A-603S work out on your AU111G..??? I have a AU111, so I am looking for the A-603 or A-604's for it now...... Best, Rob
 
After installing them I instantly noticed a bump in volume. Before I had to throttle it up more to fill up the room with music. At that point I started trying diff tubes in the phono section. It made an improvement and was nice to finally take advantage of having a MC cartridge.
 
johnny_fever said:
After installing them I instantly noticed a bump in volume. Before I had to throttle it up more to fill up the room with music. At that point I started trying diff tubes in the phono section. It made an improvement and was nice to finally take advantage of having a MC cartridge.
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Hi Johnny, Thanks for getting back to me on this. As mentioned, I have an late 60's version AU111. Has been fully restored, so now I would like to upgrade the phono section for future use of a MC cartridge. I am sure it will make a big different....Cheers
 

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What a beautiful machine. You can experiment with trying different tubes into the phono section.
 
@Robert Bauer, a bit OT here, but the chrome end panels on your 111 are one hell of a nice looking mod. Kind of makes me want to do the same to mine. Any chance you'd care to post on who you had do that work in a new thread?
 
Sansuiman said:
@Robert Bauer, a bit OT here, but the chrome end panels on your 111 are one hell of a nice looking mod. Kind of makes me want to do the same to mine. Any chance you'd care to post on who you had do that work in a new thread?
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Hi Sanuiman, Depending on your location, find a local chroming shop around you. They do small jobs for a lot of the car guys and motorcycle nuts. They are reasonable, and you can pick from different styles. Just note, if you a going the Chrome route.....make sure to get a copper base, because the Chrome will look and last better.
 
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