Few problems on "new" tt

I don't know this turntable, but I have some comments from general principles.

I would set the stylus pressure to two grams, just as a starting point. You could try varying it up and down by half a gram in quarter gram incrememts to see if a different setting improves the sound. I wouldn't want to play my records at 3 grams or higher (fearing record wear), and very few cartridges will track decently below one and a half grams.

It seems the speed selector rake needs a repositioning adjustment. See if there is a screw somewhere that might allow you to reposition the rake so that it still serves to change speeds but doesn't rub during play. In the limit, if there is no screw, you might just have to bend it gently by hand.

This may also eliminate the grinding. If not, you might allow the grinding if it occurs only during start up. Your description doesn't say that the grinding persists after start up. Also, I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say "float." Is this an object or a direction relative to the spring loading? If the turntable is very old, it is possible the spring has deteriorated and is too loose. If so, one remedy would be to shorten it by very carefully by cutting it shorter. The spring loading was probably intended to absorb/reduce motor vibration, so you don't want to defeat its function completely.

To a certain degree, Kehut's comments are good advice. This unit may not have been very good when new, and whether you want to keep it in its current state is quite problematic. I hope you didn't pay a lot for it. I personally would rather spend some money on a better unit instead of spending time and money fixing this one and replacing its cartridge. Good luck.

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

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

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 :-)

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.