HUGE PRICE DROP!!! NEED TO SELL!As you probably know, the Sansui TU-X1 is often claimed to be the best tuner ever made. Vintage 1979, it was Sansui's successful attempt to produce the most impressive tuner the world had ever seen. It weighs in at a formidable 15.2kg (34 lb) and is larger and heavier than many power amps! The FM circuitry has its own set of circuit boards, accessible from the top of the tuner. The AM circuitry and power supply circuit boards are accessed from below!!! There are completely separate controls, including separate tuning dials, for AM and FM. FM tuning is handled by a 7-gang front-end tuning capacitor (most other supertuners only use 5-gang tuning capacitors). Even AM is amazing, with 3 tuning gangs and a signal to noise ratio about 20dB better than most high-end tuners! There has never been another tuner made like this. Depending on condition, a stock Sansui TU-X1 can go for as much as US$5000, though typical pricing is around $3K. This, however, is NOT a "stock" Sansui TU-X1 - it is musically at a much HIGHER level of performance. I cannot begin to describe just how amazingly lifelike, FM sounds through this tuner. It is unlike anything you have previously experienced. I had this Sansui TU-X1 shipped to Joseph Chow for a total overhaul and massive enhancement. This was the most extensive TU-X1 modification he has EVER done. The list of mods is huge, but here is the bottom line from one of Joseph Chow's emails:
"...sound is the best I have heard from over 10 of TU-X1 upgraded in past". By extension, since Joseph Chow considers the TU-X1 is potentially the best sounding tuner in the world, this may actually be the best sounding tuner on earth!
In my own listening, I've come to the following conclusions:
My other enhanced Sansui TU-X1 (Stereo-Surgeons-modified, BlackGate caps etc), has a wide, deep precise soundstage, phenomenal bass, superb detail, slightly warm presentation, blows away other tuners including a stock Sansui TU-X1 tuner I have heard, and convincingly bettered a $10,000 Accuphase T-1100 in a tuner shootout at the Audiophile Society of NSW. This Joseph-Chow-modded TU-X1 sounds CLEARLY BETTER AGAIN! It compares to the Stereo-Surgeons one as follows:
•soundstage is even deeper and wider
•position of instruments/singers is staggeringly precise
•bass is even deeper and more detailed - by far the deepest bass I have ever heard from a tuner
•detail is remarkable - recording studio or performance hall ambience is very easy to hear
•presentation is just slightly less warm than the Stereo Surgeon TU-X1 (i.e. more truthful) I believe it is the most accurate, true-to-life, and exciting tuner I have ever heard To buy another TU-X1 and have the same done again, would cost at least US$4500, and probably considerably more.
Who is Joseph Chow:
Joseph Chow is considered by many to be the most accomplished vintage tuner after-market engineer alive today. He was on the development team of several of Kenwood's later supertuners, and was part of Larry Schott's team at Proton, which developed the revolutionary Schott tuner circuit. He is a legend in his own lifetime.
Just some of the modifications to this tuner:
•replaced all power supply caps by higher value better quality caps
•replaced all 8 (noisy) DC power supply diodes by FRED diodes
•replaced signal path coupling caps by Jantzen Superior Z-Caps
•replaced all internal point-to-point wiring by high quality audio grade cable
•replaced all lampwire internal power cabling by high quality audio grade power cable
•replaced two-wire lampwire external power cable by earthed Furutech audio grade IEC socket
•isolated the power transformer
•isolated and filtered grounding noise
•replaced RCA sockets by heavily plated audiophile grade sockets
•replaced primary fuse by the astonishing (and expensive) Audio Horizons Platinum fuse
•reworked the antenna connections for best performance
•checked and, where appropriate, replaced filters, resistors, etc.
•replaced variable output circuitry by audibly superior fixed output connections
•separated AM and FM outputs so each is completely independent of the other
•cleaned power supply board
•cleaned FM board and lubricated FM tuning mechanism
•aligned 7-gang FM tuner
•spectacularly improved already amazing FM performance, to an unprecedented level
•cleaned AM board and lubricated AM tuning mechanism
•aligned 3-gang AM tuner
•improved AM performance of its unique, insanely over-engineered AM tuner Additionally I have replaced the chassis cover and base with excellent condition ones (see photos) Original Sansui TU-X1 Specifications:
Type: Mono/Stereo Tuner
Tuning Bands: FM, MW
Tuning Scale: Analogue
FM Tuning Range: 88 to 108 MHz
•(compatible with US, European, Australian, etc FM range, unlike units from Japan)
MW Tuning Range: 530 to 1600 kHz
Sensitivity: 1.5uV (FM)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 83dB (FM), 65dB (MW)
•(FM is now at least 8 dB QUIETER than this already excellent figure!)
Distortion: 0.05% (FM), 0.2% (MW)
Selectivity: 80dB (FM), 35dB (MW)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 15kHz (FM), 40Hz to 70kHz (MW)
Output: 1200mV
Semiconductors: 81 x transistors, 47 x diodes, 6 x FET, 19 x IC
Dimensions: 480 x 197 x 450mm
Weight: 16.2kg This Sansui TU-X1 will be supplied with a pdf version of both the Owners Manual and the full Service Manual. It does NOT come in its original box (which I have never owned). It will be double-boxed for protection and shipped by your choice of carrier, at cost. I am happy to research and quote optimal shipping prices from Australia for any potential buyer. Payment by PayPal. IMPORTANT: PayPal provides a satisfaction guarantee on your purchase! This is especially critical in large international or interstate purchases such as this one. Australian buyers should definitely consider auditioning it at my home (through my JLTi valve amp and enhanced Totem speakers). BONUS: Superb quality audiophile power cable (US plug) will be supplied (a $100 value) free of charge, if you don't haggle price. CONDITION:
• Electronics condition 10+
• Front Face condition 7-8
• Cover condition 9
• Base condition 9
• Internal metal boards condition 8
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