1001 Hi-Fi Info

31 May 2023

Sansui D-705 (1988)

"The D-705 - an amazing cassette deck with specs designed for the digital audio age" said the product brochure of this Sansui cassette deck from 1988. For smooth tape transport the D-705 incorporates a closed-loop dual capstan design. The diameters of capstan and pinch roller on the supply side are different from those on the take-up side to stagger resonance frequencies, thus stabilizing tape running. Coupled to each is a brass flywheel with three times the inertial mass of flywheels on conventional models thus reducing wow and flutter. A massive, precision-cast zinc base anchors the heads to prevent even the most minute vibration. The d-705 uses three separate heads with "auto monitor" function. Manual bias adjustment with a +/-20% range will help you find that best matches the characteristics of your favourite tape. Specification: 2-motor transport | Wow & Flutter 0.035% (WRMS) | Frequency response 20Hz-21/20/18kHz (metal/chrome/normal) | Dimensions 430x111x310 mm | Weight 5.9kg.

30 May 2023

Sansui SD-5000 (1972)

The SD-5000 was introduced by Sansui in 1972. The tonal quality of this three-motor four-head deck is without precedent, largely made possible by Sansui-developed contourless heads, a 3-stage EENF type playback equalizer amplifier and a recording/bias level selector. The SD-5000 boasts an excellent 60dB signal-to-noise ratio. The SD-5000 utilizez twin 6-pole induction motors. The eddy current type take-up motor ensures fast, quiet and responsive rewinding yet prevent turning the reels too forcefully in the rewind mode. The important heads, capstan, pinch roller and tape guides are firmly mounted on a solid die-cast base to eliminate harmful vibration, minimize wow and maintain high accuracy throughout years of use. With tapes fitted with a strip of sensing foil at the end of the tape the SD-5000 will automatically reverse playback. The SRC-2 wired remote control was an optional extra. Technical data: Frequency response 15-25.000Hz (19cm/s) 15-15.000Hz (9,5cm/s) | Wow & flutter 0,08% (19cm/s) | Size 486x420x253 mm | Weight 20,2kg | Original sale price 2840 DM. Based on this model a 4-channel Quadro model also existed, the SD-5050S.