Sansui in the US

[turnitup]

I’ve been collecting and enjoying vintage audio gear my whole life, but rarely ever come in contact with Sansui gear, even before our hobby really caught on with the masses. I’ve almost always been on the West Coast - is this why? Did Pacific Stereo and other West Coast retailers not carry as much Sansui gear?

Have always wondered about this. It seems to me (in very unscientific terms) that Sansui gear seems to be more prevalent on the East Coast. Am is just reading something into this (that doesn’t really exist) or is there really something to the seemingly (original sale) unequal distribution of Sansui gear in the States?

Maybe I just have bad Sansui karma!?!

 

[michaelhigh]

CMC in the midwest carried Sansui in the 70's. I bought a Sansui 8080DB from a childhood friend whose mom wore it out over time. A refresh later, and I'm good to go, short of a Dolby selector switch that needs a bit of cleaning occasionally.

 

[Dswankey]

I was always under the impression that a lot of Sansui gear came home with servicemen stationed overseas as they were able to purchase it relatively cheap at their local PX and then transport it back home with them when their tours were over.

 

[bigaltx24]

My 881 came back with a Vietnam vet as did a Pioneer SX-838 and a Sony STR-7065 I used to have. From what I understand most, but not all PX units were multi voltage. The Pioneer and the Sony were both multi voltage, my Sansui isn't.

 

[Bodyblue]

I live about 100 miles East of you and I see Sansui all the time. Mainly the 771 881 etc and not much of the G Series but I do see it.

 

[62vauxhall]

In Vancouver, BC there was a retailer called Kelly's that sold Sansui. Don't know from when but I remember seeing Sansui components in at least one of their store's window displays. That was in the late 1960's.

Back then, I had a friend who lived with his uncle. I'd visit sometimes. The uncle had a basement rec room and that's where the stereo was. That system contained a Sansui integrated amp.

Might have just have been a matter of proximity as that uncle's house was just a couple of blocks from one of those Kelly's stores.

I had by that time, begun studying audio magazines so was aware of the brand but had not seen any Sansui before then.

That friend was always trying to make like he was authority on every subject. A prick in other words. He pronounced Sansui as being the best brand there was - absolutely.

That guy was such an a**hole that ever since, I've never held anything from Sansui in high regard. And it's been nearly 50 years.

 

[xero-D-hero]

All my firends here (CST ~ ORD / MKE area) had the bigger Sansui integrateds (AU-517 / AU-717 / AU-919) at one time or another "back in the day".
Most all those were mail ordered via vendors like J&R music world (NYC).

Everyone in my clique loved it when the new J&R catalogs showed up in the mail.
Of course I'll point out for the young'ns in the crowd that was back before the innerwebs was a thing...

SOP was to pair them up with a pair of 12" -or- 15" woofer 3 ways from C-V / Infinity / JBL or such.

FWIW

Bret P.

 

[Bodyblue]

"
That guy was such an a**hole that ever since, I've never held anything from Sansui in high regard. And it's been nearly 50 years."

You have got to be kidding.

 

[orsen]

in the middle of canada and i have had all kinds off sansui from the bottom to quads and up to au x501

 

[bluesky]

He pronounced Sansui as being the best brand there was - absolutely. That guy was such an a**hole that ever since, I've never held anything from Sansui in high regard. And it's been nearly 50 years.

Well... you ' missed out ' on some really 'high quality', great sounding, gear!

Sansuis sound simply wonderful.

There can be ' only one ' -- SANSUI !!!!

 

[62vauxhall]

I became of a different faith.

 

[ZebraBlvd]

I was always under the impression that a lot of Sansui gear came home with servicemen stationed overseas as they were able to purchase it relatively cheap at their local PX and then transport it back home with them when their tours were over.

For me that is exactly how I got addicted to Sui pieces. Knowing what I know now. I would have bought every piece they made and paid to have it shipped back home. The PX on the base where I was even had the big receivers. Plus you could special order any receiver/AU/TU model they did not have in stock.

I gotta get that Time Machine completed.

 

[Lavane]

I was always under the impression that a lot of Sansui gear came home with servicemen stationed overseas as they were able to purchase it relatively cheap at their local PX and then transport it back home with them when their tours were over.

I lived next to an Air base for years here in Nor. Cal. Sansui and Pioneer, mostly Sansui equipment was everywhere. I remember seeing Sanusui in the BX on the base also. Big Sansui receivers, Kabuki speakers and reverbs were very common.

 

[Bodyblue]

I lived next to an Air base for years here in Nor. Cal. Sansui and Pioneer, mostly Sansui equipment was everywhere. I remember seeing Sanusui in the BX on the base also. Big Sansui receivers, Kabuki speakers and reverbs were very common.

Beale AFB for you and McClellan AFB for me.

 

[Lavane]

Beale AFB for you and McClellan AFB for me.

Beale for me. I'm still about a 1/2 hour drive from the front gate.

 

[Kybronco]

Check out some of the posts on the manufacturer page for Sansui under the header Sansui via Vietnam. I recently got a 3000a that came home with a vet during his tour over there and found out that lots of service men bought there systems over there . It’s pretty cool history

 

[bluesky]

I was always under the impservice.ression that a lot of Sansui gear came home with servicemen stationed overseas as they were able to purchase it relatively cheap at their local PX and then transport it back home with them when their tours were over.

Most all Navy folks bought Sansuis (stereos) and sent them home immediately for use later on in life when they departed service.

It was a stereo system or a motorcycle but no one could afford both. Stereos were cheap and bikes were really cheap too - all brands.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Most all Navy folks bought Sansuis (stereos) and sent them home immediately for use later on in life when they departed service.

It was a stereo system or a motorcycle but no one could afford both. Stereos were cheap and bikes were really cheap too - all kinds including Harley Davidson!!

I'm glad I've never been presented with the choice of a stereo or a motorcycle, because I would never be able to decide which one...

 

[BSome]

Most all Navy folks bought Sansuis (stereos) and sent them home immediately for use later on in life when they departed service.

It was a stereo system or a motorcycle but no one could afford both. Stereos were cheap and bikes were really cheap too - all brands.

That is what I did, sometime around November of 84 during my second WesPac. Picked out a Sansui system at the NAVY Exchange Subic Bay Phillipines . Went to the first counter and paid, then to the next counter where they delivered the pieces and they were kind enough to roll it all to the 3rd counter where I paid to put shipping labels on them. Got a letter form home a few weeks later that some big heavy packages were there for me.

 

[dly66]

Both 2000A receivers I have had an EP label on the case. I remember seeing in another forum that indicated it was bought at a military exchange, maybe Navy. Both were built Feb 1970. My 1969 3000A did not have that silver diamond shaped sticker. Then again someone may have removed it but it still has the 117v sticker.