TU-717 I like this tuner -Thoughts Please?!

[terra1]

we hear thoughts from the AK side ... now how about the possible seller view?

I'm dealing with a seller and he has not written me back with some questions I need to know other than its been his all this time and in mint shape. I think he's an older man and can't answer things about center tuning etc...
Looks new:yes:
so torn. :tears:

or the seller is playing it smart ... and waiting for a serious buyer.

There's enough information to indicate it is in good condition - even in seller's words "mint shape."
Also, the seller could consider it insulting the more you ask at this point - what side of "mint shape" does the buyer not understand? There are a few threads noting the unpredictability and sensitivity of sellers.

From there it's at the audition where I would close the deal by inspecting to see if it is as advertised. Lights, indicators, station location, reception etc. If not, then you can talk down price or walkaway.

I would have requested an appointment to check it out in my first email.
And only then added any pertinent second thought questions in the same email.
The appointment and contact info is key.

You have had enough thoughts, advice and facts here to indicate the price is not outrageous.
single owner ... well cared for ... mint!
sure beats the usual eBay offerings of unknown origin ...

The more you prolong the contact -- trading emails -- time and seller unpredictability becomes your enemies.

The seller could consider you a tire-kicker trying to talk him down and move on to the next person who knows what he wants: really appreciates the tuner, in mint shape, for the asking price.

Just my thoughts. I could be wrong.

 

[Old_Tech]

Serious buyers ask questions.

I asked him if it center tuned on station is all. It was in my second email as he did not answer the question in my first. Hardly tire-kicking. If he can't answer a simple question like that then there is something wrong with him and in my opinion is not a serious seller.

I did get my response today he assures me it center tunes perfectly all lights and indicators working perfectly and will be packed extremely well so I might just buy it. He said there is no panel light though or never was as he said..I hope that doesn't mean the meter lights are burned out!

 

[thedelihaus]

The front should be illuminated, so it may need bulbs.

Ron, the nicest tuner I heard was owned by a McIntosh tech, and it was a McIntosh.

Other great tuners I've heard are the Technics 9030, Technics 8600, Sansui 717, Sansui 7900, Sansui 9900, modified Kenwood 7500, Kenwood 8300.


I owned many of these, but kept my Sansui 717 and a friend's Sansui 5900. The 7900 and 9900 are a better tuner than the 5900, but the 5900 is no slouch, and Sansui tuners are really well done.


The 317 you were looking at- a good tuner, but not in the league of a 517 or 717. The 317 is best for a person with limited space or who lives relatively close to the stations he wants to hear.



I have no regrets with the Sansui 717, and would also love the 7900 and 9900.

 

[thedelihaus]

oh- despite how nice it works, any tuner, including the 717, should be taken in for an alignment.

My 717 went from good to fantastic with this simple $65 service.

 

[Old_Tech]

The front should be illuminated, so it may need bulbs.

Ron, the nicest tuner I heard was owned by a McIntosh tech, and it was a McIntosh.

Other great tuners I've heard are the Technics 9030, Technics 8600, Sansui 717, Sansui 7900, Sansui 9900, modified Kenwood 7500, Kenwood 8300.


I owned many of these, but kept my Sansui 717 and a friend's Sansui 5900. The 7900 and 9900 are a better tuner than the 5900, but the 5900 is no slouch, and Sansui tuners are really well done.


The 317 you were looking at- a good tuner, but not in the league of a 517 or 717. The 317 is best for a person with limited space or who lives relatively close to the stations he wants to hear.



I have no regrets with the Sansui 717, and would also love the 7900 and 9900.

Almost bought a 7900 but the guy was just not very informative - it worried me. Thanks for the shopping list fella!

oh- despite how nice it works, any tuner, including the 717, should be taken in for an alignment.

My 717 went from good to fantastic with this simple $65 service.

Thats money well spent Paul. I am not sure who in Rochester does service - probably nobody!

 

[terra1]

So this is not a local buy? That changes everything ...

Serious buyers ask questions.

I asked him if it center tuned on station is all. It was in my second email as he did not answer the question in my first. Hardly tire-kicking. If he can't answer a simple question like that then there is something wrong with him and in my opinion is not a serious seller.

I did get my response today he assures me it center tunes perfectly all lights and indicators working perfectly and will be packed extremely well so I might just buy it. He said there is no panel light though or never was as he said..I hope that doesn't mean the meter lights are burned out!

So this not a local transaction where you can audition?

Then that changes my answers.
As I said repeatedly, I assumed you could audition in person.

You're not the wishy washy buyer I thought you were.

Good luck! :thmbsp:

 

[thedelihaus]

Ron,

I'm finding out that when someone asks for good sound, there are numerous solutions.

I have owned some nice sounding tuners, and it's now easy for me to rattle off a half dozen with ease that will perform wonderfully and for fair money.

Same for amps and speakers and a host of other pieces. So many good models out there, to claim a "best" is tough. It's not so hard to compile a list of the best though.


A 7900 or 717 will sound great. Same for a Kenwood 8300 (one for sale in bartertown right now) or a stock, or better, modified 7500. Those Technics 8600s and 9030s are great too.

That McIntosh was quite possibly lovingly dawdled over by my tech friend.

 

[DaWoofer]

Although I'm not a Sansui owner, the 717 has been a highly rated unit for decades. Performance wise it seems like you couldn't go wrong with one of these. To bad it is not local. I'd e-mail and become friendlier in a interesting way like asking about his history or love for good equipment. This has worked for me many times in getting all the info I needed and also for getting prices lowered because the owner realizes that sometimes friendships and love of equipment speaks volumes. Good luck!

 

[MWalt]

I have a TU-717 in pretty much mint condition and love it. I love it so much that I am getting it overhauled (new caps) and modified.

Besides that, in my eyes it is a beautiful piece of gear to look at.

 

[Thumpy]

The 317 you were looking at- a good tuner, but not in the league of a 517 or 717.

+1

I once owned a TU-317. It was nice. I also once owned a TU-717 and currently own a TU-517. They're both quite good - much better than a 317. The deal sounds decent, but if it falls through, don't worry. Another one will come along. The TU-717 is not a rare tuner.

 

[Old_Tech]

The lights are out on this one from what I see or don't see. But all else seems OK. Its on the auction site guys. There was a buy now and now there is a bidder still under 200 bucks but now will go over that I am sure. Still worth it. I know these are beauties for sure. I am surprised how many have stepped up to say how they feel here with this tuner. I wish I didnt feel like every one I see is the last...

Ever feel that way?

 

[terra1]

I see.

I would have done what you had done.

I would have asked:

Do all lights work: indicator, dial face, meters, etc.?
Especially - Stereo indicator works.
Do meters work: strong signal strength, centered tuning!
Stations correctly located on the dial: 101.5 is 101.5 on scale.

Also I see another TU-717 BIN for $299 or offer. I would avoid that one at all cost. The seller there has very poor feedback. And has a very poor record since I have been following negative feedbacks at http://toolhaus.org/

 

[Thumpy]

If it hasn't been mentioned already, consider a TU-517. Despite the circuitry being nearly identical to the TU-717, it sells for about half the price. You can read what the TIC has to say about both tuners.

 

[jdurbin1]

I did feel that way, and clearly other people do too or the prices on eBay wouldn't stay so steady on these models. However, more often than not there are three or four to pick from at any given time. Because of that I was able to muster the patience to wait for one with the right combination of condition & price. When you only see one pop up a couple of times a year that's hard to do but TU-717's have been readily available lately. I still would be looking for the cleanest one you can find < $200. If you want to spend $250, you have your pick pretty much every week.

John

The lights are out on this one from what I see or don't see. But all else seems OK. Its on the auction site guys. There was a buy now and now there is a bidder still under 200 bucks but now will go over that I am sure. Still worth it. I know these are beauties for sure. I am surprised how many have stepped up to say how they feel here with this tuner. I wish I didnt feel like every one I see is the last...

Ever feel that way?

 

[Old_Tech]

I did feel that way, and clearly other people do too or the prices on eBay wouldn't stay so steady on these models. However, more often than not there are three or four to pick from at any given time. Because of that I was able to muster the patience to wait for one with the right combination of condition & price. When you only see one pop up a couple of times a year that's hard to do but TU-717's have been readily available lately. I still would be looking for the cleanest one you can find < $200. If you want to spend $250, you have your pick pretty much every week.

John

John, I have noticed that too. Thanks for pointing that out as I have only been looking for a little while now. Winter is on my mind although I have three beautiful receivers I have little dipoles in the rec room of a split level. They work well but the outside dipole 30 feet up will blow them away when I put it up. As was pointed out earlier in another post I should feed that horse before riding it.

I am a radio buff for sure as that was my trade in the Navy. FM is no exception. I just love the sound and the 717 well, its like we have all said here. Nice but I don't even know how it will compare to my Sansuis and my Carver. The Carver TX11 is the quietest and the Sansui receivers are gorillas all around.

 

[charles64]

What He Said

If it hasn't been mentioned already, consider a TU-517. Despite the circuitry being nearly identical to the TU-717, it sells for about half the price. You can read what the TIC has to say about both tuners.

I believe this to be a good alternative,the 517 & 717 are nearly identical where it counts,except the 717 gives you a FM Stereo and AM selection LED and a Tone Cal switch for Rec Levels for broadcast recording. I also think you should buy the cleanest most complete unit with Back Stands and Rack Handles as you'll probably have it checked,aligned,etc.

 

[riverrat]

If it hasn't been mentioned already, consider a TU-517. Despite the circuitry being nearly identical to the TU-717, it sells for about half the price. You can read what the TIC has to say about both tuners.

HERE'S one (not mine, not affiliated with the seller, etc etc).

 

[sancho22]

I love mine. I did luck out and get a good example with rack handles for less than $200 shipped. That said if you can get one for $200 it will be money well spent. While I love my Kenny 600T the 717 is just soemthing special - for me.

 

[Yggdrasill]

I had a 717 for a while and absolutely loved it. I sold it to fund (partially) the purchase of a 9900 which is an exceptional tuner, a bit better at pulling in distant stations than the 717. So far, the 717 is my second favorite of the Sansui, Kenwood and Sony tuners I've heard.

You will NOT be disappointed. Get it aligned and, if you can swing it, modified/upgraded by PunkerX.

Thor

 

[L'wood]

The TU-717 is NOT a rare tuner, and $200 right now is a bit pricey, if you wait a bit another will show up around the corner....great tuner that can be modded to be a real great tuner, but won't eclipse the 919, even modded.

Concerning a member's comment on the Sony 730ES, they can be a marvelous tuner, but unfortunately most just sound 'average' at best....I'm on my 4th one, and finally I have one that sounds as good as it can.

Happy Hunting