Tape deck to match my AU/TU-919 and SR-838?

[bebopdeluxe]

With my picking up a very clean SR-838 a couple of weeks ago (from AKer Keith aka Blue Shadow) to match my EW-rebuilt AU-919 and Puinker X-modded TU-919, it got me to thinking...what was the matching TOTL late-70's tape deck that would go with these? I currently have a Nakamichi 580M - which for my limited tape needs is fine (other than that little idler wheel problem that many Naks of that era get...I STILL haven't gotten around to fixing that darn thing!), but I am wondering...

If I had gone into my local, reputable Sansui dealer in 1979 and wanted the best they had to offer, the AU-919, TU-919 and SR-838 were all solid pieces that still stack up today. What was the tape deck that would have gone with that, and is it a solid enough piece to bump my Nak 580M?

Hmmm...

Help, please. Thanks!

 

[Robisme]

The brochure I have shows an SC-3110 in a rack with an AU/TU-717 and an SR-838.

There is an SC-5110 as well.

Rob

 

[bluesky]

Been told, by a friend and former Sansui company employee, that many of the 'better push button cassette decks' have problems with the push buttons, over time, they malfunction, as in they had a lot of problems with the push buttons, as in brought back for repairs, and hard to get parts now-a-days. But probably 50 people will chime in here and say they have no problems at all. I have no idea. All I can say is, from experience (SC-1110 or whatever it was), and cost of repairs: "too many moving parts".

Maybe you'll be luckier. I've given up with tape decks. Purchased a few cassette decks are they were all a nightmare, and that's enough for me. And I have a ton of 'collectors tapes' too. Put em all in a box and they are sitting on the garage floor to be put in the attic. Guess it's the end of that trip.

"Too many moving parts". Even bought 'new Sony tape decks and can't get any to work right. I've totally given up with cassette decks, but that's just me. Not quite what you wanted to hear, maybe I've just had some bad luck with em.

I know one thing for sure, Too much money spent and no cassette deck. Not quite what you wanted to hear.

Now with those SR-838s! Outrageous machines! I love mine and it works perfect. It's a 'dream machine!" and...works flawlessly and sounds wonderful.

Good Luck!

 

[Sage]

According to some Sansui literature I have, the TOTL cassette at the time of the AU/TU-919 was the SC-5330. The model just below TOTL was the SC-3330. I believe the SC-5110 was the TOTL deck previous to the release of the SC-5330.

The SC-5330 has the backlit square green power button that matches the CA/BA-F1 pre amp/power amp combo but the SC-5110 has the black toggle power switch that matches the AU/TU-919 amp/tuner combo.

I have an SC-5330 that I cleaned, lubed and re-belted and it sounds great for a two head deck. It's doing duty now with my CA/BA-F1 set up. I have never owned or heard an SC-5110 so I can't comment on the performance of that model but would be glad to pair one up with my own AU/TU-919 units someday.

 

[bebopdeluxe]

Sage:

Thanks for the feedback...there is an SC-5110 on EPay right now...the guy says that it needs a new main belt...is this the kind of thing that a hobbyist could handle, or would it make more sense to have a qualified tech handle it? I am a little leery of spending a decent amount of $$$ on EPay for a deck that may not be operational (the guy says that - other than the belt - the deck is fine...my question is - how would he know that if the deck doesn't work?), but I would feel better about potentially taking the plunge if I knew that $20 (the cost of the belt) and a little elbow grease might have me back in business...

Thanks!

EDIT: Actually...the more I read about this, the more it seems like this belt replacement is above my pay-grade...I really do think I want an SC-5110, though...and even if I find one that is working OK, I will probably have to replace the belts at some point - so any ideas on where I could find somebody who has worked on these before and could do this job would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ghamilton]

919 Owner

Why can't EW work on it?
Take care of the AU-919!
I love mine! I recapped mine myself. Did EW replace those speaker wire connections for you?
Here's mine:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243497&highlight=919+binding+post

 

[usedto]

There is a complete "how to" thread in this forum written by SansuiFlorida on how to change the belts on several of the Sansui tape decks. They all seem to be similar in how they're done.

 

[stereofanboy]

I bought my AU919 as part of a system that included an SC5330. It's quite nice and matches the rest of the system well.

What I want is a cd player that that has the same general look. The closest thing I've found so far is a Sony 50 disc carousel changer. It's not quite as wide as the Sansui pieces, but it is as tall and the same color. I really prefer a single disc or at most 5 or 6 disc changer. What are you using and how does it look?

 

[bebopdeluxe]

bentpencil:

I found that thread, but he specificially excludes the SC-5xxx decks - I think he said that "they are not for the faint of heart". I have had enough experiences over the years of overestimating my ability to tackle stuff like this...only to create a mess (an expensive mess) for somebody else to clean up.

As much as I would like to add an SC-5110 to my system, unless I can find one with replaced belts (or find someone who is well-versed in doing this work), I think I may have a hole in my system here...

stereofanboy:

I have a Marantz 8001 SACD player that was modified by Tube Research Labs...and I am quite happy with it! The two parts of my system that are not vintage are the CD player and the vinyl signal chain after the SR-838 (a Benz Wood M2 cart and a Wright 200C tube phono stage). My cassette deck is another Japanese piece from the late 70's - a Nakamichi 580M...probably a middle-of-the-line unit back in the day - great transport (other than that idler wheel that needs some work), but just a 2-head unit. Giving the amount that I currently use it, swappping the SC-5110 for the 580M would add some additional Sansui flava without banging performance...but not if the SC-5110 isn't working...