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Sansui SR-717

charles64

charles64

reVox reGret
Really enjoy my Sansui gear,so when I saw this SR-717 on ebay I bid $150 and forgot about it-never expecting it stand up! Now,I've read much about the SR-838 and 929 on the forums here but not too many posts involving the SR-717. After cleaning it up it appears all original and well cared for,the condition is outstanding. It was hooked to a Marantz Quad system and included a Pickering XUV Cart & D4500-Q Stylus,that I posted for info in the TT forum. My first impressions after an afternoon of rock and jazz are very positive-very clear,almost CD like sound and in typical Sansui fashion It's good looking and solidly built. Does anybody else have this TT or an opinion on it? I set it up per specs I found on-line but any advise would be appreciated. Thanks...
 

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"Almost CD like sound?"

Congrads on the SR-717 find!! Mighty fine lookin TT. :thmbsp:

Ortofons love Sansui TTs. Or maybe Sansui's love Ortofons. Or...maybe it goes both ways!

Enjoy!!
 
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I bought one from a local AKer a couple years back- it's my favorite among the DD S-arm Japanese tables I have. (Am I in a rut?) I like the Ortofon OM series and Denon DL-110 carts on it. The lateral weight is sorta vague as to it's effect, and the anti skate could be more refined. The sound though! It is a keeper for sure!
 
bluesky said:
"Almost CD like sound?"
Click to expand...

Poor choice of adjective perhaps-what I meant was the highs had a clarity that was unexpected while retaining all the involvement that we listen to vinyl for....

BTW-do you guys have any experience with that Dust-A-Matic stylus brush? A very Seventies looking contraption-I'm not completely sold on it,but I did add another gram to the counter weight (2.25) to compensate-but wouldn't that be for when in the brush position?
 
Just joking with ya! I love vinyl toooo.

Bet your 717 sounds wonderful! The SR-717 sure looks nice. Gotta love that retro styling, black with the vineer on the sides. To me the SR-717 just looks the way a TT should look, handsome. A quality product. I really like the early TT styling. I was thinking about trying to find a 717 for quite awhile but ended up getting an 838 for a real good price. Just got lucky really.
 
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It's nice to see this mostly ignored table get its dues. The 717 was the 929's predecessor and as such was Sansui's TOPL table from 1972-1975. An example of how good this table is the 717 has a wow and flutter rating of .035% the 929 (which came out 4 years later) only has a wow and flutter ratting of .025%. Took them 4 years to drop .010%. :yes:
 
Vintage_Hi-F said:
It's nice to see this mostly ignored table get its dues. The 717 was the 929's predecessor and as such was Sansui's TOPL table from 1972-1975. An example of how good this table is the 717 has a wow and flutter rating of .035% the 929 (which came out 4 years later) only has a wow and flutter ratting of .025%. Took them 4 years to drop .010%. :yes:
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Can elaborate about the tonearms of the SR-717 and the SR-929.
I have only seen pictures of them in brochures and magazines.
The tonearm of the SR-929 seems to have vertical adjustment, not sure about the SR-717.:scratch2:
 
More on SR-717

sfox52 said:
No VTA adjustment on the SR 717.
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Correct -No vertical adj. on the SR-717 -The arm is balanced on a knife bearing,inside concentric circles,the inner ring acted upon by the anti-skate weight. You wouldn't think that tiny weight would have much affect,but in my short time of use,I encountered skipping halfway thru the last song per side on two different albums until I changed it's position on the pin. I also wonder if the Dust-A-Matic brush is putting undue lateral stress on the stylus? As I posted before I've used B & O turntables since 1984 so all this 1/2" cartridge set-up is pretty new to me. People here have recommended Ortofon carts for this deck but for now I'm going to keep the Pickering cart and find an OEM replacement sylus...
 

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A replacement stylus for the Pickering XUV is available from LPgear for around $90.00.
Most likely made by JICO.
According to the description, it is a bonded Shibata stylus.
If you don't need the function of the Dust-A-Matic brush.
Just don't use it and employ a lighter tracking force.
Excellent turntable, keep us posted on your experience!!!:music:
 
charles64 said:
Correct -No vertical adj. on the SR-717 -The arm is balanced on a knife bearing,inside concentric circles,the inner ring acted upon by the anti-skate weight. You wouldn't think that tiny weight would have much affect,but in my short time of use,I encountered skipping halfway thru the last song per side on two different albums until I changed it's position on the pin. I also wonder if the Dust-A-Matic brush is putting undue lateral stress on the stylus? As I posted before I've used B & O turntables since 1984 so all this 1/2" cartridge set-up is pretty new to me. People here have recommended Ortofon carts for this deck but for now I'm going to keep the Pickering cart and find an OEM replacement sylus...
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Hi:
I just bought this exact SR-717 last month from a yard sale.
It is missing the "anti-skate weight and the string with it"
can this be subtitute with something like fising string and weight ?
if so how long is the string should be and how much is the weight.
 
The string for my SR 717 is about 2 & 1/2 inches in length from the loop to the weight. As long as the weight is hanging when the arm is on the rest and does not interfere when the arm is close to the spindle, you should be OK. Use some light monofilament line. I think the weight is 2 grams, but my digital pocket scale crapped out on me, so I'm not sure.
 
sfox52 said:
The string for my SR 717 is about 2 & 1/2 inches in length from the loop to the weight. As long as the weight is hanging when the arm is on the rest and does not interfere when the arm is close to the spindle, you should be OK. Use some light monofilament line. I think the weight is 2 grams, but my digital pocket scale crapped out on me, so I'm not sure.
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great. I just have a hand made string and weight for it.
it is playing now but I have one problem.
The needle is barely touch the record when it played.
I have tried to fiddle with all the adjustment on the rear of the tone arm but it had no effect. The needle does not land on the properly so it will sound one and both channels back and for ???
 
Does your unit have the stock Sansui headshell? It sounds like something is set up wrong- cartridge mount or VTF wise..
 
sfox52 said:
Does your unit have the stock Sansui headshell? It sounds like something is set up wrong- cartridge mount or VTF wise..
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Do you have a link or picture of the stock Sansui headshell.
The spare one that I have is black ( with Sansui logo ) and looks like most other headshell.:scratch2:
 
Balifly said:
Do you have a link or picture of the stock Sansui headshell.
The spare one that I have is black ( with Sansui logo ) and looks like most other headshell.:scratch2:
Click to expand...
Here is SR-717 stock headshell
 

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Mine looks like Stenes but aluminum finished. It sounds like the tracking force is too light or something. The "knife edge" tonearm is hard to figure out since there is "slop" at the pivot end when it is handled. Mine tracks better than my old Technics DD or an old Dual belt drive I have.
 
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