Sansui SR-1050C Transcription Turntable - Mint & Boxed

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Here I'm offering for sale a superb example of the very rare Sansui SR-1050C transcription turntable. The SR-1050C was introduced in 1970, a manual 2 speed belt drive transcription motor unit incorporating the TA2050 transcription tonearm. There was also a semi-automatic variant, the SR-2050C. The C version included an open-grain walnut plinth and included a Sansui Induced Magnet cartridge. The 1050C was used by Sansui as their reference front end for their world premiere demonstration of their quadraphonic system in Dusseldorf as well as for the introduction of the AU-999 2 channel amplifier. Despite Sansui's claims that it brought the cost of a professional turntable within reach of the man or woman on the street, in the UK it was only available to special order and cost an eye-watering £81.00. To put that into perspective, a Thorens TD-150AB with arm and plinth would have cost you around £50. The Sansui cost more than a Garrard 401 with SME 3012 tonearm, and about the same as a Transcriptors Reference with tonearm. In a market dominated by Garrard, Thorens, Goldring-Lenco, B&O and Transcriptors, the Sansui was a relatively expensive rarity. It would be a couple more years further on before the Japanese hifi onslaught really began to make its mark in the UK.This particular example has been exceptionally well looked after. Indeed, the original owner bought it along with a Sansui AU-999 amplifier to form the heart of a then state of the art reference music system. However, a couple of years later he was offered a posting overseas and the system was packed up while he was away. And that was how it remained until I purchased the system from his ex-wife to join my collection. When I got it I just could not believe the condition. It was liking opening up the box as new again. Everything had been meticulously packed, with all the original wrapping, coverings, transit bolts etc. and all the accessories were there too in their correct place. One of the accessories is a very rare Sansui stylus balance and this still has the original protective plastic stuck to it's face. Simply incredible. The Sansui cartridge looked like it had never been played. According to his ex-wife, he ran the deck with a different cartridge (Gold body she tells me with a purple "nose" - probably an Empire) so the Sansui must be either very low hours or maybe even none at all (except the LP sides I played for checking and making the listing photos). The tonearm is a thing of beauty, especially the drilled out extrusion for arm rest. The connections are gold-plated and the headshell is a light alloy type of excellent finish and structural integrity. All functions work perfectly and the arm bearings are in excellent condition.Overall condition is obviously superb - basically mint throughout. Even the lid is in fantastic condition. All the original packaging is present, as are the accessories pictured, which include the stylus balance and a spare motor pulley for 60Hz operation. The original oil applicator is present but is now empty. Includes the original owners manual and other documentation. The two sets of transit bolts will be fitted for transit - note that these must be removed before use. The deck is currently set for 230V but can be used on other voltages by changing the voltage selector underneath the platter and swapping the drive pulley for countries using 60Hz mains frequency. Alternative pulley and changing instructions are included. A rare deck, not to be confused with the inferior (and much lighter built) Sansui decks that came afterwards. Possibly unique in this "as new" condition, and an unrepeatable opportunity for the serious Sansui collector. Please take a few moments to look at all the pictures: read more

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