Sansui reverb amp- what's the point?

I

isawyoushine

great fisherman
I have an old Sansui reverb amp, I think it is an RA 500. It's just been sitting in my attic, I remember when i got it I hooked it up and ran a mic through it played around and i don't think I have touched it in 15 years.
My question- what was the point of this thing, that is, what was it's original intended use?
 
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If you tune them in just right, they are supposed to add a little depth to the music. I have a Pioneer reverb, and nowadays its just fun to play with when the mood hits me!
 
century tek said:
If you tune them in just right, they are supposed to add a little depth to the music. I have a Pioneer reverb, and nowadays its just fun to play with when the mood hits me!
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thanks for the response. Dop you think there is anything to that? In other words, do you buy the theory? I'll run my turntable through it and play around with it.
 
It's original intended use was to make money for Mr. Sansui. :)
(I have one too-the Fisher 800C has a special pair of rca jacks on it for just such a thing). Reverb creates an illusion of space/ambience. Some receivers from back then have microphone inputs on them also,
and home taping was popular. You could sing along with records or tapes and have a bit of fun. I think some people actually did this...
 
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It's a BIG HALL effect. If you go to a HALL you get some reverb or echo naturally. This was an attempt to replicate it. If you do use it, use it VERY LIGHTLY. Over the years the springs have stretched due to gravity (they sit horizontally in the case) and have become overly sensitive. Also one is tuned to a different time constant than the other which gives you the reverb action or more of a echo chamber if you will. Fisher's "K-10 space expander" actually used a spring unit from Hammond Organ.

Larry
 
If you were into mixing or dubbing your own music the above posts describe the effect on the recording. Most computer based mixing and editing apps have reverb and other effects as well. Pretty cool for listening if you're into classical music especially symphony and those big chamber organs at the low db's !! :thmbsp:
 
A good reverb unit can give a very nice effect to your sound system. The Sansui unit, like some others of the time, is not a good reverb. The reverb can is too short, not enough delay to add any dimension, and it's effect is only on one channel. It does seem to add some equalization on the upper end which is ok. A real reverb on some rear speakers is well worthwhile. The Sansui RG units with electronic delay might be worth a try.
 
If you need to create some special effects for a theatre production sometime (think "The Tempest"), put it in the signal path for their sound system and bang the top or shake it. Works great!

Even better, get inside and pull the cover on the spring unit. Twang 'em. Tons of fun.
 
At one time, I had a Pioneer reverb amp that I used for working on a new karaoke track. Nowadays, a number of dvd players have mic inputs with echo and other enhancements, so I sold the reverb amp. It was a fun gadget at the time.
 
Bought one back in the mid 70's......Always felt like it was a poor mans pre-amp/sound booster, lol
But turned all the way down, it did add an open sound stage to my system.
 
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A good reverb unit can give a very nice effect to your sound system. The Sansui unit, like some others of the time, is not a good reverb. The reverb can is too short, not enough delay to add any dimension, and it's effect is only on one channel. It does seem to add some equalization on the upper end which is ok. A real reverb on some rear speakers is well worthwhile. The Sansui RG units with electronic delay might be worth a try.
Yes I noticed that also. the reverb effect on the Sansui is very modest compared with Pioneers SR-202.
 
I had the Sansui in my system years ago. On certain types of music it added a feeling of being in a large room, my brain told me an old stone church.
Most music that benefits from reverb already has a lot mixed in.
As far as why, it was a thing during the late 60’s. You could get reverb amps in cars from the factory. A friend had a GTO with one.
I just noticed this is a 9 year old thread.
 
grillebilly said:
I had the Sansui in my system years ago. On certain types of music it added a feeling of being in a large room, my brain told me an old stone church.
Most music that benefits from reverb already has a lot mixed in.
As far as why, it was a thing during the late 60’s. You could get reverb amps in cars from the factory. A friend had a GTO with one.
I just noticed this is a 9 year old thread.
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Intemember a cousin of mine had a re erb in his car. It sounded like a Thunder storm when you went over a pot hole or big bump in the road.
 
Mine is a permanent part of my system and I still use it time to time when the mood hits me. There are certain songs that really make it sound........well......different. For example, "Honky Tonk Woman" by "The Rolling Stones". :rockon:
 
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