Sansui Serial Number Database Update
- Thread starter LBPete
- Start date
Scott Muni
Well-Known Member
AU-999, 831030564, Scott Muni
Hi @RZ1, welcome to AudioKarma Exclusively Sansui. Thanks for making your first post serial numbers. Your serial numbers will be in the December report available in early January.
Your 7070 was produced on production line 23 in November 1977. It was the 636th unit off that line that month. Line 23 was mostly producing 7070s that month but it also produced the QRX-999 during that November.
Your 7900Z was produced on line 81 during April 1981. It was the 799th unit off that line that month. Line 81 was also producing 3900Z and 5900Z models that month.
Enjoy!
- Pete
Your 7070 was produced on production line 23 in November 1977. It was the 636th unit off that line that month. Line 23 was mostly producing 7070s that month but it also produced the QRX-999 during that November.
Your 7900Z was produced on line 81 during April 1981. It was the 799th unit off that line that month. Line 81 was also producing 3900Z and 5900Z models that month.
Enjoy!
- Pete
RZ1
Member
Came across the serial number of a 7070 on an ebay listing:
7070,237120551,RZ1
This is not my 7070- already reported that serial. Just trying to follow the format.
link to the listing for verification: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3560766864...=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
7070,237120551,RZ1
This is not my 7070- already reported that serial. Just trying to follow the format.
link to the listing for verification: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3560766864...=2047675&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
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Thanks for posting. Most of the serial numbers in the database were "harvested" by a group of AK members from internet sites world wide.
The serial number for this particular 7070 is missing a digit. It should have 9 and only has 8. Can you take another look?
- Pete
The serial number for this particular 7070 is missing a digit. It should have 9 and only has 8. Can you take another look?
- Pete
RZ1
Member
Pulled a few serial numbers from Sansui's listed on shopgoodwill.com. Hopefully these pieces of equipment will go to someone who will care for them.
7070,216112638,RZ1
AU-317 II,239020035,RZ1
Six,223020251,RZ1
TU-217,028120519,RZ1
G-2000,037100512,RZ1
RA-500,332010071,RZ1
Hope these numbers help! Amazing work so far!
7070,216112638,RZ1
AU-317 II,239020035,RZ1
Six,223020251,RZ1
TU-217,028120519,RZ1
G-2000,037100512,RZ1
RA-500,332010071,RZ1
Hope these numbers help! Amazing work so far!
All serial numbers help. Thanks!
Very rare unit! We only have 3 in the Database. Yours in #4. Thanks for posting.
- Pete
Do we have any idea how to decode this serial number format? I've not seen it before, it was obviously used during the later tube era and predated the familiar format we all know that debuted in about 1966.
This has been a recurring question since the database project was started in the mid 2000s. I have not seen anything definitive here - unless the Boss can shed light on it. I am prepared to look at the database closely in January when the December 2024 update is available. The most recent copy of the DB I have on the laptop I am on is from June of this year. A search indicates that as of then, there were 665 Invalid Date Codes - the vast majority of which do not apply to this issue. We may have 50 or 60 samples at most of serial numbers from the pre 1965 period. They are shorter alpha numeric codes beginning with a letter.
Two theories have been proposed: that the early Sansui codes were somehow based on the date of the traditional Japanese Emperor based system which would equate approximately to 1960 = (Showa) 35. 1961 = Showa 36 etc. A second could be the alpha numeric used a letter to express the year of Sansui Incorporation, where 1947 = A, and R would = 1964. This would assume a western based lettering system. Plus, there are too few samples in our DB to affirm this. Those that we do have do not fit this pattern.
I am equally likely to suggest the first letter is the code for where, not when, the item was made. Many units from the late 1950s begin with the letter U which is inconsistent with a temporal marker system. If anyone can point to a place in this forum / website where this has been properly explained I too would be grateful.
There may be a number of reasons why the answer to this question is complicated. We are thankful Sansui decided to standardize most of its production by 1966 even if there are still potential decade errors with the format they settled upon.
Thanks Peter!
Welcome to AudioKarma Exclusively Sansui. Thanks for posting your serial number. This turntable was produced on production line 35 during July 1981. It was the 5th unit off that line that month.
That description of these early serial numbers is the best I've heard. I don't recall seeing that description other than this post. Very good information. Thanks for posting.
The transition from this 6 digit serial number to the more familiar 8/9 digit serial number began around 1965. The 500EA made that transition. Including the two posted recently, we have 5 in the database. One of them, produced in April '66 has a "standard" 8 digit serial number ink stamped on the chassis. All the rest have the old 6 digit serial number.
- Pete