Was the Sansui QRX5500 a mistake? features and functions reviewed

[@DesertRat332]

When I was in the Navy (71-75) I bought a Sansui QRX-5500 receiver, a Teac A2340R reel-to-reel, 4 Pioneer CS-R700 speakers and a Dual Turntable and a demodulator. I loved listening to music in 4-channel. I used to take my whole stereo out to a friend's Illinois farm house for keg parties. We hooked up 4 more speakers (JBLs) to it and blasted out Led Zeppelin at mid volume or higher through all eight speakers. I burned out some fuses and transistors(?) in it a couple of times before it finally would go for 8 hours straight without a hitch. That baby was "battle tested". Starting about 1990 I had the receiver in my Mojave Desert garage for years with an old, heavy duty Westinghouse fan blowing on it. A friend who was a TV repairman had repaired it about 1989 but couldn't get the right transistor for it. The one he used worked, but the receiver ran so hot that the heat sinks turned a copper color and would burn your fingers if you touched them. But it continued to function as long as I had that fan blowing across the heat sinks. But finally after almost 45 years of playing it started showing its age. It would develop a large "hum" and I would have to turn it off and on to get the hum to go away. I gave it away when we moved to Nevada three years ago. Now-a-days I only listen to my music while on the computer or in my car, so I don't need the big living room stereo anymore. I switched from using the reel-to-reel to CDs with multiplayers that shuffled, then iPods with iTunes playlists and now I just use iTunes on my Mac and playlists on my iPhone via bluetooth. But those days of the outside beer parties were sure fun. I have no regrets buying the stereo I did. The QRX-5500 was one tough receiver.

[@yourdiytechlife]

Wow, what a great story, love it! I’ve been using this one extensively and I love the sound. I’m currently In The process of doing a full restoration, doing all the electrolytic caps and the problem transistors so this baby will run for years to come.

[@senorverde09]

Looking at the original first generation QRX product line ranging from the 3000 to the 6500 (the QRX 2000 was a later addition and the QRX-x001 series came after) it's obvious that it Sansui forced the consumer to give and take on features when moving up or downmarket in that range. Yes, the 6500 was the most powerful of the range and had a slightly nicer amp, BUT you only had one four-channel tape loop and one four channel aux input. The 5500 however offered the best in terms of I/O with the aforementioned aux inputs and tape loops.

[@patmcnally2529]

still have qrx 7500 , that I purchased in navy over seas 1974 .

[@robertc4826]

I had one and still wish I had it. They go for $ 3-4-500 on Ebay in good condition. Awesome video Sir

[@kamertonaudiophileplayer847]

Exactly, I ironed my first quadro receiver in 1975. But getting truly 4 channels source was difficult at that time.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

That is a beautiful unit, a piece of art really.

[@yourdiytechlife]

Sansui really made these beautiful, and I love the way they work and sound.

[@chrishale5608]

Would a unit like this be used with a QS800 and a RA500?

[@augvoorde2]

Had the qrx-5500. Sounded great. Quad records were limited.

[@janbill79]

I've been learning electronic repair, so I can look at a 5500 I bought off eBay about 12 years ago. When I got it unwrapped in smelled. I found out it was it a house fire, & took some heat and smoke. after I went back on eBay to see what "else" he was selling. There was my proof! He was trying to sell the heat wrapped 4 channel records Like someone would want a smoke and heat warped record. I brought to a qualified tech back before prices got so high to have one repaired . He said he tried a lot of things, + switching stuff and all he could figure is the part ( what ever it is that makes it have the effects) computer thing is bad, and he says they don't make that part any more. But I'm retired and have a lot more time . to mess with it.

[@yourdiytechlife]

You might find some parted out ones on eBay, also. There is a site that I’ll have to look up but they specialize in these Sansui’s and they might be able to help out as well.

[@janbill79]

@@yourdiytechlife coming up this year, I'm going to start to look into it. I'm getting smarter about this sort off stuff, everyday. today I learned how to check bridge rectifier sound s simple but I did a lot of video watching and studding, but not much hands on thats all going to change this year

[@yourdiytechlife]

@@janbill79 Thats Awesome. I don't know if you've found this guy yet but I think this is one of the best guys on KZbin for older electronics. He mostly works on tube equipment but most of the skills he shows transfer well to the 60' and 70's era as well. I just love watching him work his magic. www.youtube.com/@MrCarlsonsLab

[@inthezone4123]

Thanks for sharing, Dan!

[@kevinjekyll1521]

I just checked, I have a 3500, 6500, and a 5500, are these really worth anything today?

[@yourdiytechlife]

It all depends on the shape they are in but yes absolutely. Go check the sold items on eBay and you will get a good idea.

[@AstroSam66]

I own one of them. Just a cool thing to have. Its not really usefull these days, but i just love it! I am going to recap (change all elkos) this thing.

[@steelers6titles]

Besides open-reel tape and LPs, were there any other four-channel formats?

[@trevorspiro945]

8 track cartridges. And now some CDs are being reissued in true original quadraphonic.

[@VintageStereoCollector]

Nice

[@deweygill1973]

I just bought an unused unit for 200.00 from the estate of a guy who bought two when he was in the service in the 1970’s, one for daily use and a backup. I bought the backup. All the original paperwork and manuals were included. Unfortunately another family member wanted the speakers, so now i need to figure out that end of it. Do I need four matching speakers? I have several pairs but not four of anything. I’m thinking about looking for two more of the 1980 Klipch that I’m already using. Any thoughts? Also I’m wondering if it would be wise to have it gone through before firing it up

[@yourdiytechlife]

I think having 4 of the same would be the best scenario but I’m sure you’d enjoy it without all 4 matching. Don’t forget to use the quad you will need a quad source like a quad turntable or tape player and then the media needs to be quad as well. With that said I use my unit in stereo only and love it. If your unit has not been regularly used or not used at all I would definitely have a tech bring it up slowly on a variable transformer. That way he can see big problems before it causes extensive damage. If it’s been regularly used and it was ok the last time used it should be ok to just fire it up.

[@deweygill1973]

@@yourdiytechlife thanks for responding, Dan. It appears the unit has never been used. I have plenty of quad albums, the main reason for the amp acquisition. I was just waiting for the right deal to come along. I was mostly concerned that pairing unmatched speaker sets would create an imbalance that could potentially damage the amp

[@yourdiytechlife]

@@deweygill1973 outstanding! So you’ll really enjoy this unit. I love the sound of it myself just in Stereo. As for damaging it with mismatched speakers, it has 4 discreet amplifiers so unless you use speakers that are less than 4 ohms each you won’t have an issue. If your using 4 standard 8 ohm speakers you will not have any issues. I would definitely have a tech bring it up nice and slow the first time and you might get his opinion on the condition of the capacitors. Make sure you use somebody that is familiar with vintage.

[@deweygill1973]

@@yourdiytechlife thanks! A record store i once worked at services and sells vintage stereo gear. I’ll have them go through it

[@steelers6titles]

Was there quadraphonic FM broadcasting back then, or am I wrong?

[@yourdiytechlife]

I have heard that there were quad stations for a short time but I’m sure the cost and complexity along with all the crazy formats killed that fast.

[@azardmohammed2954]

Hey Dan,couldn’t help looking at this video over and over,like your presentation notwithstanding the receiver,looking forward to more posts,contacted you at Hotmail,hope this receiver still available,

[@Ozarktreeworks]

Where do you buy the fuses and lights for this unit?

[@yourdiytechlife]

I buy all my parts from Newark and DigiKey. They have all this stuff.

[@Ozarktreeworks]

@@yourdiytechlife awesome! Thank you. I inherited this unit and know nothing about it. You’re video was very informative.Where’s the best place to learn where all the wires/record player/ speakers hook and and how to hook them up?

[@yourdiytechlife]

@@Ozarktreeworks Yes, there is a great resource for most vintage gear, Hifiengine has downloadeable PDF files that include the instructions manual. follow this link and scroll to the bottom for the links. I think you have to sign up on this web site to download so you might do that first. www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/sansui/qrx-5500.shtml

[@Ozarktreeworks]

@@yourdiytechlife awesome! Thank you.

[@codycriss7910]

Question: I have a qrx 7500 that I just got fixed up. For some reason the sound cuts out at higher volumes. You can hear a click from the receiver when the sound cuts. Any idea what is causing this?

[@yourdiytechlife]

Sounds like the speaker protection circuit is activating but as to why? That could be many things. You might try some different speakers and see if you speakers might be at fault. If there hard to drive they might be pulling to much current fooling the protection circuit in to thinking there is a problem.

[@codycriss7910]

@@yourdiytechlife i tried it with klipsch 51m which are brand new, and my old pair of bose 501 2s. Does the same thing with both

[@yourdiytechlife]

@@codycriss7910 something isn’t right there. It might be the bias needs to be reset but they should be able to play loud for a while without protection kicking in. Seems a bit strange unless you just driving the amp in to complete distortion and overload.

[@azardmohammed2954]

Is this receiver for sale

[@yourdiytechlife]

I’m currently doing a complete referb on it and I’m thinking about selling after that but it’s taking quite a while.

[@azardmohammed2954]

@@yourdiytechlife I am into “old school “ stereo receivers and particularly like the quads,I could add to my collection based on cost,I am from Trinidad in the Caribbean,I can keep in touch

[@yourdiytechlife]

Sounds good. You can hit me at [e-mail]

[@azardmohammed2954]

@@yourdiytechlife good day Dan,I will be contacting you via your hot mail address later today re:your sansui QRX receiver,hope it is still available,tks and God bless

[@diegoprieto6423]

How much could be the value of one Sansui like yours ?

[@yourdiytechlife]

Not sure but I think I’ve seen them between 300 and $500 ish.

[@josepaiva4207]

Eu tive um receiver quadrifonico SANSUI QRX-5500, funcionou mais de 20 anos, um dia deu problema e dei para um técnico consertar......😔😔 ele não consertou......fiquei sem o QRX-5500

[@michaeltessler7091]

How does it sound????

[@yourdiytechlife]

I think the best sounding receiver I’ve had so far is the pioneer 727 but this was a close second. Neither of them had been recapped other than the power supply. sound is so subjective that it’s hard to say but I really loved the sound of this Receiver.

[@brucesamuelson7541]

I believe the quads failed mainly because they were a little complicated and amplifiers weren't quite perfected yet to audiophile quality

[@yourdiytechlife]

They are complex to operate and it’s easy to use them incorrectly so there is that. As for the sound quality I have to say, at least for these models, they have excellent sound quality and I personally like them better than many newer units. That all subjective so take it for what it is but when I looked at the design and construction I found them very well built. There the same amp section that’s used in several stereo models of the same vintage, they just doubled up on the amplifiers built in.

[@juniorsilva571]

Aí é máquina.

[@sergeantmajordyi7049]

I have one and willing to sell it. Its in mint condition

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Thanks for sharing Dan.