Just picked a 9090 dB up for $200.00 from a coworker. Have it in the shop in Champagne Illinois at Glenn Poor Audio getting brought back to its original ✌️
Great video as always. Just a little correction: This is not a 9090db. The db designation for this series refers to a seperate db board in the unit used for playing and recording tapes in dolby. The power supply and amp sections are completely different. The driver boards are different and the output transistor arrangement is different. The 9090 uses 8 NPN transistors. It's my understanding this is an older design. The 9090DB uses 4 PNP/NPN pairs. Have a look online at the differences of the front face between the 9090 and the 9090db and it will be apparent right away. Thanks again for the great vidseo.
I have always liked the Sansuis of the era, but the one thing that's always irked me is how the dial illumination would turn off if you were on any other input source (tape, phono, aux, etc) which makes it too easy to accidentally think the unit is off and leave it on for hours/days longer than you intended to. My grandparents had a model 5000 (I think?) that was mounted in one of those absurdly-wide wooden home stereo console cabinets (must have been 12 feet wide). The console cabinet was originally equipped with heathkits, and when they upgraded to the Sansui in circa1968-1971 they had to remove it from its enclosure because its wider than those 50s hifi tuners and wouldn't fit in the console's shelves/compartments. When I dismantled the console a few years back I ended up rack mounting the sansui (didn't know what else to do with it with the enclosure missing).
You can actually change that! It's very easy. It has to do with swapping a wire connector on the power board. I'd recommend looking at a forum online for it but it takes less than 5 minutes and it's totally worth it
Sir what is that black switch for on the left and what side should it be slid to. I was changing my lights and I think I slid that switch over and I want to make sure it's slid to the right setting, Thank you great videos 👍
@@12voltvids at 36:42 you answered my question I can't spell it but I will try, it's the FM deeinfuses mode switch. I hit that switch by accident today putting on some led bulbs and I by accident switched it to the right. But looking at your 9090 it's switched over to the left. So I switched it back. I really hope I wasn't to confusing and if so I apologize. I love the hell out of your videos and wow to have the knowledge of these beautiful vintage receivers is just awesome. I own a 9090 plus a 9090db and a pioneer SX-1050 and I just bought a Sansui G8000 . I just love these beautiful vintage receivers and it's so cool to watch your videos. Again thanks for getting back to me and again hope I wasn't to confusing.
These receivers from the 70's were made to a far higher standard than todays models with a biscuit tin chassis. Yamaha should have been shot for starting the trend of no access plates on the bottom. I was a young Hi-Fi tech when these came out, togeather with Pioneer, Sansui and a few others made some excellent gear that is still desirable today. I still have a few of the higher end Pioneer and Sony models that sound far better than todays digital everything receivers that sound great to watch a movie, but are far too harsh for music. Give me a smooth warm sound anyday over an edgy overbright in your face sound.
@@paulb4661 Very true, the more complex "Quadraphonic" models only had 4 channels not the 7 or more of todays models that have chips that overheat and die as soon as the warranty expires.
@@Barbarapape Rescued wireless buds the other day and you could have easily designed it in a way that allows you to snap open the covers and slide the accu in and out, like a battery in a watch. Why dont we make it as cumbersome as we possibly can instead, so that you need a microscope, a heatgun and a steady pair of hands to pull it off ? Bin it, buy another is our motto.
@@paulb4661 This is called progress, i can remember when you could buy spare parts even for headphones and remotes, now you have to buy a complete new item, this is why the world is drowning in plastic waste.
Greetings from Scotland....all you need to do to get rid of the static is clean the pots(other side of the switch)...servisol 10 is what I use ..its like Jesus in a can...you will have silent switches after..
...or try deoxit's for agnostics :) Actually hard to find a switch cleaner with lube in Ireland. I must keep an eye out for servisol 10 thanks! DC offset on the signal going through the pot can also cause the 'static' noise.
_"No full recap?"_ I see his point, though. If the parts are working to the point where the whole receiver is operating to specifications, then why bother? As he said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He could do the work, but again, it's work that he would have to do at his own expense. What kind of value would he be gaining for the investment in his money and time to do it?
Complete recaps on old gear can really change the sound - modern electrolytics have far lower ESR, and a more linear impedance across frequencies. Basically they are better spec, but old amps were designed with old caps. Old jap amps often have jap Elna caps that almost always measure really well, and would be criminal to replace. Old Rubycons can be iffy. The only amps I have HAD 100% recap contained capacitors made in the 2000's.
Surprisingly little inside compared to the big Pioneer efforts. Not my taste, an amp should have a volume control, a record out selector knob and another for listen. The rest never get used.
Because most of their stuff was a pile of sh!t. I have no idea why the interest and high prices today because back in the 80s and 90s this stuff was being thrown away. Same with pioneer and their stupid wire wrap conections and marantz with their flaky edge connectors. They always sounded harsh with plenty of odd order harmonics to make music sound rough compared to Technics Sony and Yamaha.
@@12voltvids don’t tell me that prices have gone even higher . It’s was like new not a scratch on it . But it’s water under the bridge I helped someone with that donation .
@@jimmyanderson1011 yes they have. I am tempted to sell mine but can't because they price could go up even more and i hate leaving money on the table. Always have. That's why I have a storage locker full of this crap holding on because every year it is worth more. I will at some point cut mine loose as i don't use it often. I got mine for free back in early 90s and put about 50 or so in parts to fix
@@MrNeverseeme Well considering that was 1993 or 94 I doubt very much that he is coming back. The unit was very likely hot as a firecracker as well. It was a room mate of a cousin of mine that i haven't seen or spoken to since about the time this was brought in. The son of one of my uncle's second wife. They are long dead and i haven't spoken to him in decades so i think it is highly unlikely he is ever coming back.
@@luigicirelli2583 you have to remember that back in the 80s these were not diseriable receivers. People were tossing them as fast as dual record players. I can't remember how many of these were thrown out in favour of a shiny new Sony, Technics or Yamaha system with a bunch of blinking lights. We chucked hundreds of them over the years.
How offend do you have to clean the Pots and Switches? in years w or wo using them? I know how to do a better job Cleaning them now, than years ago Thanks RUclips. I hope they last longer. Nothing worst than a scratchy Volume pot and PB that were dirty.
👍🏻😎 My oldest brother had one back in 1976. I was 12 years old and it got me hooked on Hi Fi. I'm 59 and still hooked on Hi Fi. Thanks, Sansui.
Just picked a 9090 dB up for $200.00 from a coworker. Have it in the shop in Champagne Illinois at Glenn Poor Audio getting brought back to its original ✌️
@@johndoe-ct7eb😎
really enjoyed this video! that stereo sounded great even on my little laptop speakers!
Great video as always. Just a little correction: This is not a 9090db. The db designation for this series refers to a seperate db board in the unit used for playing and recording tapes in dolby. The power supply and amp sections are completely different. The driver boards are different and the output transistor arrangement is different. The 9090 uses 8 NPN transistors. It's my understanding this is an older design. The 9090DB uses 4 PNP/NPN pairs.
Have a look online at the differences of the front face between the 9090 and the 9090db and it will be apparent right away. Thanks again for the great vidseo.
Look at the title. It is correctly listed as a 9090. The Dolby reference refers to Dolby fm not the Dolby adapter for tape and disk playback.
Well if I was you I keep the unit be cause the 9090 db come whit big problems on the Dolby system in the card chep waring tanks
Certainly an old beauty. They sure don't make them like that anymore.
I have always liked the Sansuis of the era, but the one thing that's always irked me is how the dial illumination would turn off if you were on any other input source (tape, phono, aux, etc) which makes it too easy to accidentally think the unit is off and leave it on for hours/days longer than you intended to. My grandparents had a model 5000 (I think?) that was mounted in one of those absurdly-wide wooden home stereo console cabinets (must have been 12 feet wide). The console cabinet was originally equipped with heathkits, and when they upgraded to the Sansui in circa1968-1971 they had to remove it from its enclosure because its wider than those 50s hifi tuners and wouldn't fit in the console's shelves/compartments. When I dismantled the console a few years back I ended up rack mounting the sansui (didn't know what else to do with it with the enclosure missing).
You can actually change that! It's very easy. It has to do with swapping a wire connector on the power board. I'd recommend looking at a forum online for it but it takes less than 5 minutes and it's totally worth it
Nice video. I have a 9090DB that needs some work. Would you be interested in fixing it? Thank you!
I don't own one but looking forward to the day as I've acquired a big box full of spare parts for the 9090db :)
very useful, thank you
Sir what is that black switch for on the left and what side should it be slid to. I was changing my lights and I think I slid that switch over and I want to make sure it's slid to the right setting, Thank you great videos 👍
What black switch?
@@12voltvids at 36:42 you answered my question I can't spell it but I will try, it's the FM deeinfuses mode switch. I hit that switch by accident today putting on some led bulbs and I by accident switched it to the right. But looking at your 9090 it's switched over to the left. So I switched it back. I really hope I wasn't to confusing and if so I apologize. I love the hell out of your videos and wow to have the knowledge of these beautiful vintage receivers is just awesome. I own a 9090 plus a 9090db and a pioneer SX-1050 and I just bought a Sansui G8000 . I just love these beautiful vintage receivers and it's so cool to watch your videos. Again thanks for getting back to me and again hope I wasn't to confusing.
@@Anth4044 the FM deempesis switch just changed the eq. In north americal 75us is used. Europe uses 50us
@@12voltvids Thanks again I really appreciate it.
The service manual is a very piece of documentation.
These receivers from the 70's were made to a far higher standard than todays models with a biscuit tin chassis.
Yamaha should have been shot for starting the trend of no access plates on the bottom.
I was a young Hi-Fi tech when these came out, togeather with Pioneer, Sansui and a few others
made some excellent gear that is still desirable today.
I still have a few of the higher end Pioneer and Sony models that sound far better than todays digital everything
receivers that sound great to watch a movie, but are far too harsh for music.
Give me a smooth warm sound anyday over an edgy overbright in your face sound.
One thing for sure - they didnt have to squeeze in a dozen channels and process me to death mcu, to make it work.
@@paulb4661 Very true, the more complex "Quadraphonic" models only had 4 channels not the 7 or more of
todays models that have chips that overheat and die as soon as the warranty expires.
@@Barbarapape Rescued wireless buds the other day and you could have easily designed it in a way that allows you to snap open the covers and slide the accu in and out, like a battery in a watch. Why dont we make it as cumbersome as we possibly can instead, so that you need a microscope, a heatgun and a steady pair of hands to pull it off ? Bin it, buy another is our motto.
@@paulb4661 This is called progress, i can remember when you could buy spare parts even for headphones
and remotes, now you have to buy a complete new item, this is why the world is drowning in plastic waste.
It has some heavy metal in there, lotsa iron!
I listen to am radio
I have one. My father bought it at Federated Group back in 1977. It needs servicing. There's static when turning the switches.
Greetings from Scotland....all you need to do to get rid of the static is clean the pots(other side of the switch)...servisol 10 is what I use ..its like Jesus in a can...you will have silent switches after..
...or try deoxit's for agnostics :) Actually hard to find a switch cleaner with lube in Ireland. I must keep an eye out for servisol 10 thanks! DC offset on the signal going through the pot can also cause the 'static' noise.
Switches need cleaning. That's a common issue with these.
I have a Sansui T-80. Could use a bit of a "tune" up but it's not too bad on FM.
No full recap ? What a great amplifier!
_"No full recap?"_
I see his point, though. If the parts are working to the point where the whole receiver is operating to specifications, then why bother?
As he said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." He could do the work, but again, it's work that he would have to do at his own expense. What kind of value would he be gaining for the investment in his money and time to do it?
Complete recaps on old gear can really change the sound - modern electrolytics have far lower ESR, and a more linear impedance across frequencies. Basically they are better spec, but old amps were designed with old caps. Old jap amps often have jap Elna caps that almost always measure really well, and would be criminal to replace. Old Rubycons can be iffy. The only amps I have HAD 100% recap contained capacitors made in the 2000's.
Nice receiver! I have a Sony KV5200 that needs a home if you want to pay for the ride.
I'll pass
he's probably gonna overcharge for a repair and then steal it off you
Surprisingly little inside compared to the big Pioneer efforts. Not my taste, an amp should have a volume control, a record out selector knob and another for listen. The rest never get used.
What has led to the term "sansewage"?
Because most of their stuff was a pile of sh!t. I have no idea why the interest and high prices today because back in the 80s and 90s this stuff was being thrown away. Same with pioneer and their stupid wire wrap conections and marantz with their flaky edge connectors. They always sounded harsh with plenty of odd order harmonics to make music sound rough compared to Technics Sony and Yamaha.
@@12voltvids Thanks for the reply!
Hi there ido have the minor bro. 7070 they look almost the Same butt less power tank's for Cher
I have the 990 version in black face.
Phrasing lol
I can’t watch this I gave mine 9090 to Saint Vincent DePaul in the original box . I paid four dollars for it .
One is up on Facebook for 2400.00 right now. Someone will probably be dumb enough to buy it.
@@12voltvids don’t tell me that prices have gone even higher . It’s was like new not a scratch on it . But it’s water under the bridge I helped someone with that donation .
@@jimmyanderson1011 yes they have. I am tempted to sell mine but can't because they price could go up even more and i hate leaving money on the table. Always have. That's why I have a storage locker full of this crap holding on because every year it is worth more. I will at some point cut mine loose as i don't use it often. I got mine for free back in early 90s and put about 50 or so in parts to fix
I wonder what the storage fees are?
For what?
@@12voltvids what if the guy who dropped it off decides to pick it up
@@MrNeverseeme
Well considering that was 1993 or 94 I doubt very much that he is coming back. The unit was very likely hot as a firecracker as well. It was a room mate of a cousin of mine that i haven't seen or spoken to since about the time this was brought in. The son of one of my uncle's second wife. They are long dead and i haven't spoken to him in decades so i think it is highly unlikely he is ever coming back.
@@12voltvids dang! So $19,800 USD. Or $26,821 CAN. storage fees + cost of repair.
@@MrNeverseeme that sounds about right 😁
75 lbs
so, you stole it
No, it was abandoned.
@@12voltvids don't argue with me - you stole it
@@luigicirelli2583 repossesed it.
@@12voltvids just because you have been forgotten, it does not mean you have been forgiven
@@luigicirelli2583 you have to remember that back in the 80s these were not diseriable receivers. People were tossing them as fast as dual record players. I can't remember how many of these were thrown out in favour of a shiny new Sony, Technics or Yamaha system with a bunch of blinking lights. We chucked hundreds of them over the years.
How offend do you have to clean the Pots and Switches? in years w or wo using them?
I know how to do a better job Cleaning them now, than years ago Thanks RUclips.
I hope they last longer. Nothing worst than a scratchy Volume pot and PB that were dirty.