Sansui turntables might shock you! (not literally (normally))
- Thread starter JimEGR
- Start date
Audiomania
Active Member
So, what say you SR-838ers about cartridges for this table. I think I have my 838 sorted now. The speed wobbles appear to have been caused by the mostly useless record weight I was using. I stopped using it and the problem seems to have disappeared. Sensitive little Sansui. I acquired this table with a vintage AT10 cartridge with a bad channel. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that before I spent $200 on a TOTL ATS12S replacement stylus. Right now I'm running an unremarkable AT-TC246LP which came fitted on my XP-99. It sounds fine for what it is, but I'm ready to upgrade and keep the TC246LP for backup duty. I spent last evening aligning the cart using a custom protractor from alignmentprotractor.com which was very helpful. I rebalanced the tonearm, set the tracking force, and the anti-skate, etc. Everything set up nicely. This cart has a recommended tracking force of 1-1.25g. Seems so light as does the tonearm itself. I started at 1g. Well, the tonearm couldn't make it through an entire side of a record without getting stuck at the point shown on the record with the red label (Alice in Chains, MTV Unplugged). I reset it to 1.25g and problem solved. The next several sides played perfectly. Again, sensitive little Sansui. Hard to believe a quarter gram could make that much difference.
I think my preference is for new cartridges. I'm suspect of vintage here. I'm also leaning MM. I'll spend a few hundred bucks, but I won't go too much deeper than that. I have a Sumiko Olympia (MM) on the SR-717 and an AT3100S (MC NOS) on the XP-99, both of which I like very much. The "new" SR-4050C has a Shure M55e with a new Jico stylus on it, but I haven't listened to that yet. I've taken that table to the tech to replace the ratty original cables, which hopefully are the source of the hum, and give it the once over. The AT-VM754xML VMx has caught my eye, but I don't know much about it yet. Another Sumiko model? Curious what any of you might recommend that I try. I don't listen to jazz. Anything else is fair game. Thanks for your suggestions.
I think my preference is for new cartridges. I'm suspect of vintage here. I'm also leaning MM. I'll spend a few hundred bucks, but I won't go too much deeper than that. I have a Sumiko Olympia (MM) on the SR-717 and an AT3100S (MC NOS) on the XP-99, both of which I like very much. The "new" SR-4050C has a Shure M55e with a new Jico stylus on it, but I haven't listened to that yet. I've taken that table to the tech to replace the ratty original cables, which hopefully are the source of the hum, and give it the once over. The AT-VM754xML VMx has caught my eye, but I don't know much about it yet. Another Sumiko model? Curious what any of you might recommend that I try. I don't listen to jazz. Anything else is fair game. Thanks for your suggestions.
Great to see your SR-838 up and running! I wonder if the tonearm base assembly needs a disassemble/clean/oil? It may not be tracking well without more TF weight if there is excess friction in the turret assembly. I also wonder too if the you weren't seeing reliable speed with that weight on there due to increased friction and similar maintenance needs in the motor. The motor glides on an oiled bronze or brass bushing, if I remember correctly - could also be electronics. Here is an excellent restore thread by @MIJ_Pioneer.
If you want to go new for the cartridge, I am a fan of Ortofon 2M cartridges. Red, Blue, Bronze or Black depending on your budget. Tracking forces 1.6-2.0 depending on which one. I've owned all but the Black, and can say each one was worth the upgrade $. There is currently a Bronze with 5 hours on the bay starting bid quite reasonable.
If you want to go new for the cartridge, I am a fan of Ortofon 2M cartridges. Red, Blue, Bronze or Black depending on your budget. Tracking forces 1.6-2.0 depending on which one. I've owned all but the Black, and can say each one was worth the upgrade $. There is currently a Bronze with 5 hours on the bay starting bid quite reasonable.
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Well, we're going to find out! I think you're right, @JimEGR. Seems I spoke too soon. The motor just went on a wild speed ride in the middle of my first record this evening. Restored it to normal by powering on/off. About half way through side two now. I'll be swapping it with my tech for the 4050C as soon as he calls. This one was supposed to have been restored, recapped, etc., but I don't think any of that tonearm or motor maintenance was done.
The good news is that this near mint og press of VH 1984 I brought home today sounds otherwise fantastic through the D9 and KG 4.2s. I could see this cartridge wearing me out, though. And, there it goes again. The 838 is out of the rotation. Looking forward to that thread! His are always excellent. Hey, at least now I'll have a spot for the 4050C!
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Your tech will dial it in. Check out post #3 in that thread for the speed tracking sensor maintenance. Might be the issue. Cannot go wrong with 1984! Nice pick.
Pete's Sansui turntable update Part 1. My tech is the man! In less than 24 hours he replaced the cables on the 4050C and resolved the hum. Gave it the once over and declared it to be in great shape, totally worn out feet notwithstanding. It practically sits on its base. I need to source some nice tall isolating feet. In the meantime, practice hockey pucks are $20/dozen on Amazon and make a nice damping spacer/riser. She definitely wants to howl at volume, though. Between my console, speaker proximity, those worn out feet, and the old Shure M55E cartridge, we have a lot of resonance. This table will never be anything more than a backup I think. Sounds good otherwise. Just can't crank it. Some tone control and filtering on the D9 helped a little bit.
Pete's Sansui turntable update Part 2. Because my turntable tech is so awesome, I was able to swap him my 838 for the 4050C this afternoon and he's already dug into it! A little background first. I paid top *popular auction site* dollar for the 838. Seller rehabs turntables, recaps etc., posts YouTube videos to market them, has a website, and sells on said auction platform. Cosmetically, my 838 is excellent, as represented. Looks great. Seller was offended when I inquired as to his turntable packing practice. I was (and maybe still am) a noob to all this and was spending a significant sum for this table to be shipped diagonally across the country. He rather tersley pointed out to me that this wasn't his "first barbecue." I should've stopped there. Nonetheless, I proceeded and my shiny 838 arrived expertly packed and appropriately disassembled. As mentioned previously, it took me a while to figure out that the supplied cartridge had a bad channel and that's why it didn't sound great. A different functional cart resolved that. Then the speed issues.
My guy, Dan Dan the Turntable Man!, tore into the 838 this afternoon. By the time I got home with the 4050C, he texted me the pics below. He noted that it appears the table has indeed been recapped with an assortment of mix and match components from at least four different brands. He said the soldering on all the boards was suspect. Ha! Look at those pics. Even I know that looks like ****. He's already reflowed all the boards and made all adjustments. He says it's running well now, but will continue to spin records tonight and observe. My guess is that the 838 will be back in the lineup tomorrow night finally running well. All for $80 and overnight service. I'll tip well. Look at these boards.
My guy, Dan Dan the Turntable Man!, tore into the 838 this afternoon. By the time I got home with the 4050C, he texted me the pics below. He noted that it appears the table has indeed been recapped with an assortment of mix and match components from at least four different brands. He said the soldering on all the boards was suspect. Ha! Look at those pics. Even I know that looks like ****. He's already reflowed all the boards and made all adjustments. He says it's running well now, but will continue to spin records tonight and observe. My guess is that the 838 will be back in the lineup tomorrow night finally running well. All for $80 and overnight service. I'll tip well. Look at these boards.
Some real quality work there, eh? This is why anything marketed as "restored" on eBay or Reverb is suspect, in my mind. Maybe there's someone selling top shelf restorations on there, but I keep seeing "horror stories" about purportedly restored gear being bought and found to have questionable quality work done.
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You're not wrong that's for sure. I've learned a lot since then, and I've faired well for the most part with my acquisitions. In this instance, however, I do feel burned. It's the only transaction that didn't feel great. Especially for the money spent. Grateful to have a solid turntable guy mere minutes away who's willing to get after it so quickly. I'm sure I'll be reporting on the 838 mañana.
Unfortunately there are these types on Ebay that give the site a bad reputation. But There are quality sellers on ebay doing top notch work. This is definitely a situation where you should have taken advantage of eBay’s buyer protection policy. It sounds like the item you received was nothing close to how it was described. You were entitled to a no cost to you return at the very least and if you did end up wanting to keep the table and have it repaired, the seller should have worked with you to offer a partial refund to cover the work.
Yup. Totally understood. My learning curve on eBay has been swift and steep. I have, in fact, been successful returning a few pieces that didn't measure up and have obtained full refunds without issue. I've also accepted partial refunds from sellers to compensate for deficiencies. I'm pretty comfortable with the process, understand the risks, and have certainly learned to be more discerning in my due diligence and vetting of sellers. I've scored several nice units from sellers I would certainly buy from again as well. Unfortunately, with this SR-838, the issues didn't reveal themselves, or I didn't figure them out, until well past the 30-day return period. Obviously, I didn't see the soldering mess on these boards until yesterday and the speed issue only arose recently. Honestly, this has been my least used table. Indeed this was a premium purchase at a premium price, and I got taken which burns a bit. Thankfully, the issue appears to be sorted now and I should be able to finally enjoy this table. My guy has reported that it ran well all night, and continues to run well today. I'll pick it up later.
Now spinning perfectly after all boards were reflowed and all speed pots were cleaned and set - apparently for the first time ever. Extra Friday fun test driving it on the X701 which arrived today. Spinning Jack White No Name. "It won't be long before my stereo breaks 100,000 plays. I'll bring back Sansui from the dead." What's the Rumpus.
Sir - could you share the name/brand of your rack? Looks great!
To all: very much appreciated the discussion, very insightful and helpful.
Amazon from China. Took five-ish weeks. Mine are 8-tier, one shelf taller. They're well built.
Polished black match made in heaven! Glad your SR-838 is functioning as it should. And a fun new late integrated to discover. Curious what you think of it, after you’ve had some time to get acquainted. Congrats all around!
Thank you. The real star here is my guy turning out two tables in two days for me without any advance notice. I can already tell the X701 isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's moving up a shelf tomorrow.
No doubt. Not only are good techs hard to find, but one who communicates well and can turn around work quickly are even more of rarity. You are fortunate!
