mid-80s Sansui stereo speaker system

[socrates63]

Look what I found on craigslist recently.

Barely used, original manuals, purchased as a system around 1985. Selling as a set. Eight pieces, all SANSUI:

Turntable (P-D30) / Amplifier (Classique A-901) / Cassette Deck (D-79R) / Tuner (Classique T-1001) / Equalizer (SE-300) / 2 Speakers (Classique S-770) 26h x 15w x 12d / Audio rack cabinet w/glass door (GX-S755) 38h x 18.5w x 15.5d

A few days ago, this system was up for sale and the asking price was $200. And then, yesterday night, I search for "turntable" and find that the listing was changed from $200 to FREE. I immediately sent email saying I'd take it, and a couple of minutes later, I receive a reply asking me to call that night. I talked to a lady for about half an hour.

Apparently, the system was bought for her partner's mother around the mid-80s who has since passed away. The system has sat virtually unused for years, and she wants it out of the house. She said that someone else had responded and was willing to rip some vinyl as a trade for the stereo. I offered that I could do the same and explained how the process works. She felt comfortable enough that she agreed to give me the system. According to her, her partner or his mother (I can't remember which one) used to hang out with Janis Joplin and use to smoke weed with her, and he has vinyls from way back. But they don't know how to use a turntable and the two or three boxes of records have been sitting unused.

Well, I was supposed to pick up the stereo this afternoon but she called me at 7:30am and told me that she changed her mind about giving it away. She felt bad about giving something away when it really belonged to her partner who's away until next week. She said she decided to sell it instead and asked if I was interested in buying the system for $200. I said thanks but no thanks and that was that.

Or so I thought... she sent me email tonight saying that she contacted her partner who said that he was happy to give the system away in exchange for having some vinyls of his choosing ripped. She said she could call me when everything was ready for me to pick up. I took that to mean I can pick up the stuff when her partner gets back in town next Thursday and picks out the albums he wants ripped. I wrote back for her to do that, and so the wait begins. I figure she may change her mind again, but I've got nothing to lose.

Anyway, does anyone know if this stuff is any good? Before she changed the ad, she had another photo showing both the speakers. My wife thought it would be pretty cool to get and put in the room. I miss my mid-80s Kenwood speaker system that I gave away when we moved a few years ago. That one had both turntable and CDP.

[Smeggy]

Wow.

Nice score if she goes through with it. I had a nice Sansui system in the early 80s which I enjoyed quite a bit. Didn't go a bundle on their speakers though. I preferred classic Brit models of the day. Still, can't complain about free too much

My dads old early 70s Sansui Quaraphonic system is probably still collecting dust back in England.

[Dusty Chalk]

Anyway, does anyone know if this stuff is any good?

Best place to research that is on audiokarma.org -- do a search first.

Kenwood had some good stuff, but that looks like GPC (generic plastic crap). Sorry for the bluntness. On the bright side, I could be wrong. The first thing you're going to want to do is recap the whole shlamazel.

[socrates63]

Audiokarma, looks like a very interesting place. I'll definitely look around. Even if free, I wouldn't want to get stuff for the sake of getting stuff if it's garbage, considering that I'll be on the hook to digitize a couple of dozen records.

[socrates63]

My dads old early 70s Sansui Quaraphonic system is probably still collecting dust back in England.

I bought my Pioneer PL-12D turntable from a vintage stereo collector. He had several Sansui pieces in addition to Sansui speakers. By the looks of them, they were probably from the 60s or 70s. I loved the look and the lights.

Nice to see you around these parts, Gary.

[Smeggy]

You too Young.

've been watching the place and thought I'd join cos it's where the cool kids hang