General Asylum: REVIEW: Sansui Sansui TU-717, 515 Tuner by Dennyj

Model:	Sansui TU-717, 515
Category:	Tuner
Suggested Retail Price:	$150 to $300 on E-Bay
Description:	Tuner
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Dennyj ( A ) on February 01, 2007 at 12:46:25
IP Address: 75.73.210.144

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for the Sansui TU-717, 515

I had owned a MD FT 101A Etude for several years and then began learning more about tuners from fmtunerinfo.com. I bought a Sansui TU 717 and then a Sansui TU-515. Right out of the box they were both much better than the Etude. They had a richer fuller sound. More bass, more bottom end, better sounding. I sold the Etude as soon as I could.
I ended up modifying and upgrading the Sansui's and they have performed marvelously. Wonderful sound and at times I think it's almost as good as my vinyl ....OK, I'm exaggerating. We do have nice public radio Jazz and Classical stations that can sound excellent.
I recently bought a Sansui TU 9900 that I am currently modifying. I had to sell the TU-515 unfortunately. Once the TU-9900 is done I'll compare it to the modified TU 717 and do a review. It's going to have a tough time beating the TU-717, however.
I thought the modified TU-717 was possibly very slighly better than the TU-515 but the TU-717 had been sent to Bill Ammons and he checked it out, aligned it, put in matched filters and put in one of his boards so the comparison wasn't really fair. They were very very close and I think there is really no difference. I modified both and the circuits are the same. The only diffference is that the 717 has a calibration tone that was used in the days of tape recording to set levels. I've had no use for it.

Product Weakness: Modifying them makes them superior
Product Strengths: Excellent tuners. Very full rich sound.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	ARC VT 100 MKIII
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	ARC LS25 MKII
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Hot Rodded Rega 25, ZYX Airy 3
Speakers:	PMC FB-1
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 11.5 x 7.5
Room Comments/Treatments:	Various Acoustic Foam
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2005 to present
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Jon Risch
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Modifying them makes them superior
Product Strengths:	Excellent tuners. Very full rich sound.