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Few problems on "new" tt

I just bought a Sansui sr-222 turn table, and, of course, there are a few problems... I just hope you guys can help me out.

First, it sounds awful... I gues the cartridge is'nt in to good a shape, but I could'nt tell (because I know nothing about turntables). It sounds "heavy" : the bass is kind of deap... The cartridge is a ltd-250 (?). I did not find any information on the setup (weight) it requires. If anyboby as any idea.
I will soon buy a knew one, but if I could have working meanwhile...

Second : it grinds. The belt seems to rub on its guide (speed selector). I tried to chang the adjustment, but it also changed the speed. So I set the speed again, and its noisy again. I tought about trying a silk wire.

Also : the motor shaft is spring loaded (I did not know that :-) ), The belt pulls on it when I start the tt, but on the short (and less restricive)side of its float, causing the shaft to rub on the rake (speed selector) and the belt to move on it. Could it be mounted with the float pointing in the wrong way?

I know these are pretty technical questions, and not fun to anwer at all. If you could help me, though, I would be glad to get to know how this thing works.
remi
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,766 posts
 
Remi:

The Sanusi SR 222 is a 70's era turntable, that was considered a fairly decent budget turntable (below $200) in its day. After 25 or so years, it probably needs a good overhaul by a knowledgeable repairman ... which is where you are heading, given your inexperience with turntables. I would imagine that your Sansui requires cleaning, lubrication, belt and cartridge replacement, a whole myriad of adjustments; etc. You paid $60 for the turntable ... you are probably talking an additional $150 to $200 for a professional overhaul and a new cartridge. My guess is that you may be better off with something like a Technics SL-BD22 for $225, brand new with a new cartridge. Buying vintage equipment can be a bit of a crapshoot, because outside appearances don't always match up with the true component conditions.

Regards, Rich
jafox
1,453 posts
 
Ken, you funny guy! I had to laugh.

But seriously, I just posted a Dual 505 TT for sale here, absolutely incredible condition that my best friend had for 15+ years; he just wanted to unload it. It works beautifully. We let it go for $40. There are gems out there like this regularly.

To spend so much to repair the Sansui makes absolutely no sense at all. There is so much to be had here on Audiogon for what you will spend to repair this TT. If you want to learn how it works, then by all means hunt down an owner's/repair manual and make it a new project. But please, don't pour a lot of money into this if the intent is to achieve good LP playback.

Just my 3 cents.

John
remi OP
15 posts
 
OK!
Thanks for those constructive answers.
Since I did not know exactly where to look and since everyon told me the thing was about due for the dump, I did what the self-learned mechanic I am always did to learn how things work : I pulled the whole thing appart, looked how I tought it was supposed to work, and pulled it back up.

Jameswei : there is no spring, there sould'nt have been any kind of float. The motor is mounted on rubber bushing, and what I tough to be a float was just the motor being loose on its bracket. Now it's tighten, it moves only by what is alowed by the three-points bushing.
Also, the motor is back up to right height, so the belt does not rub on the rake anymore : SILENCE!
Speed is also right since the belt centers well on the motor shaft.

Finaly, I took the head of, cleaned its contact points, clands the cartridge and stylus.

It now sounds OK. Not great, but as it should considering the old cartridge.

No need to throw away the Sansui. Some of you would because not satisfying, but I wanted something cheap to get me started, that is now what I have, and it works.

Thanks to those how hepled :-)
remi OP
15 posts
 
John, you posted your reply as I was writing mine : here's to you :

I did not spend a dime in that repare, and would'nt have considered paying no one to work on that old thing. Hey, if it is'nt worth that much, it's my chance to work on it with very little risks.

Now it runs fine, I do think it is going to be worth a new cartridge.

Thanks again.
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