Hello, people. In July 2020, I bought a SANSUI CP-99W from a military vet in Dallas, Texas. With 93 watts consumption in AC (plug-in) mode, that good-looking, twin-cassette-deck, shortwave (SW)-tuning, digital-tuner boombox is easily the most powerful machine in my very small collection of boomboxes and mini-boomboxes. (I actually have only one mini-boombox, the SANYO M-1770K, unless you count the EMERSON PD-5098, that no-cassette CD player mono’ with a stub of an analog tuner as a mini-boombox.) Sorry that I still haven’t figured out how to film and upload videos, but here are a few images of the Sansui in action: (In this September 6, 2020 smartphone photo’, it’s about to be tested after being disinfected, days after its return from an out-of-state electronics repairer.) (In the next photo', also taken September 6, 2020, the Sansui is playing a 1970s Deutsche Grammaphon/Polydor International GmbH symphonic-music cassette from West Germany.) (And in the third photo', taken September 8, 2020, with accessories like a RadioShack microphone and a MONSTER Y-cable nearby, the Sansui CP-99W is on FM radio duty, tuned, I think, to 88.1 MHz, which is WCRJ-FM, “The Joy FM.” That was before I played some music home-dubbed to FUJI DR-II cassettes.) Unhappily, even when testing the Sansui CP-99W after Norman’s Electronics, Inc. (USA)(NEIUSA) had worked on it, there already were signs of Trouble In Funland. My notes state that playback with either tape deck of this Sansui sounds “half-drunk,” “a bit sleepy” and that the playback sound “wobbles.” I know that the gear that repair personnel work on isn’t guaranteed to work like new, but, still … I mean, I’m still having problems with this Sansui stereo even after it returned from a repair firm of apparent quality, a business that isn’t the cheapest shop in the land. Is it a problem with tape-deck rubber belts that are too tight or (perhaps more likely) too loose? Is it a problem with dirty contacts in switches? (Where’s that Caig DeOxit D5 stuff? Oh, yeah: I never bought a can SMH.) Is it a problem with a power-supply unit that isn’t receiving enough amperage or enough voltage from the AC “mains” supply? The Sansui CP-99 has two or three motors per tape deck, one of which powers the playback of and recording to audiocassettes. As the seller pointed out in YouTube videos before he sold it to me, this Sansui CP-99W had no audio at all. That was because the amplifiers built into this hulk were “fried,” likely from someone recklessly turning up the VOLUME much too high and leaving it there for ages in the name of partying, as the technician half-laughingly speculated when he spoke with me on the ‘phone. (Before actually repairing that boombox, he called to make sure that I was ready to pay the repair bill that would likely run well into the hundreds of dollars.) Both tape decks of this Sansui CP-99W had too fast a PLAYBACK, as the seller also demoed. Could this be a case of a pair of PLAYBACK motors having hopelessly unstable operational speeds (rather high “WOW-and-flutter”) that even a pretty skillful tech can’t remedy? Or is the problem with the CP-99’s tape decks a matter of properly adjusting the azimuth or whatever of the tape-heads pathways? I know there are YouTube videos on remedying misaligned tape heads, but, not being “technically inclined,” do I dare try any of them here at home? (And risk further ruining a sound system of this one’s impressive size, power and control interface? Ugh …) Earlier tonight, I used the search term “Azimuth Mirror” here on S2G. As a result, I came across part of the March 5, 2018 exchange between members bub and Michelle Knight concerning Ms Knight’s seeking help with a problem with a stereo of hers – maybe a SHARP GF-909. The member bub mentioned what I had vaguely remembered from some years ago: a device, modified from a standard audiocassette and with a built-in mirror, for checking the tape-heads pathways of cassette decks. I also remembered that a member on Stereo2Go (or on the other fan website) had stated that such “mirror cassettes” are rare and quite expensive. No kiddin’! A check on eBay tonight shows a seller in China selling two SONY units for ninety-three dollars each. There are quite a few eBay “watchers” of that listing; I wonder how many of them are ladies and gentlemen known also as S2Gers …? More somberly, I remain not very “technically inclined.” Can I justify the expense of such a purchase, with little or no idea as to how to use a “tape pathway mirror cassette” – though the seller seems to offer “support” if one needs help with using a mirror cassette? Or do I leave it to the pros (again)? You all have a good, pathogen-free day, okay?
Since I am the bloke who mentioned mirror cassettes at S2G a few moons past, I go first No, you do not need mirror cassette for bbox repair: my understanding it is needed for hi-end decks with pad lifters and closed-loop, dual capstan mechanics. What you are hearing is a Bad case of resto efforts. Bad belts, bad pinchrollers, Play speed not adjusted. You can get a 3kHz tape off eBay for under $30 ( or make it yourself if you have a decent deck) and with a free W&F meter (Windows-only) you can measure the specs of your Sansui, print the results and then have a ‘fun’ talk with your professional tepair-Dudes if you need step-by-step instructions for 3kHz tape and measurements just let me know and I will post it here Real sad story but, unfortunately, those who know how to resurrect electronics do not always know all the quirks of cassette mechanisms
You can post his repair work so we know what he did. If they are going in, a few dollars in belts should be minimal cost to the estimate and should be done regardless. That's a really nice boombox, hopefully you can enjoy it soon. I think I read that they did repair the "amplifier" section and it does play music with both the radio and tape deck but tapes sound crappy? It sounds like they didn't rebelt it, which would be a shame since they were already inside. Don't worry about all of the other adjustments, they just change the sound quality and not the wobbly or drunk playback. It sounds like the belts are still in one piece but hard so they slip but they might grab once in a while giving the wobbly effect.
It's doubtful that any repair shop would replace every belt. They may have replaced 1 or 2, but not all of them. They probably think most boombox owners are primitive people who would never know the difference. Very few humans are honest. Most are selfish creatures focused only on making their meaningless life as enjoyable as possible, at the expense of others. Just mammals slightly more advanced than other mammals. P.S. bad pinch rollers can also cause wobbly sound.
Your bringing me down Reli, maybe we need a virtual beer and boombox meet tonight to get some Christmas Spirit going.
Hello 27 July 2022 Evening I got here by way of looking for a value on a Suntone am-fm I found in the closet in the garage from 2005 and well I was then searching my computer for that info I found stuff on the cp-77w which then led me to ebay to see if there were any for sale an what they wee going for $675.00 today https://www.ebay.com/itm/134177984061?hash=item1f3da18e3d:g:x7wAAOSwl1Ni2IY0 I was that military man. I sold my Sansui cp-99w but I think I still have two cp-77w's and somehow the font changed. Yes this is a 2 year old thread and I read all of it. Wonder if the thread starter got his cp-99w fully working? Yes I have not been in here for a while. Good day.
Cassette2go is that really you? Are you doing the funky fonts like Easthelp now? Easthelp pops in every few years, he's due for another. Suntone Radio? I see those all of the time at garage sales and thrifts, most are crappy little radios, maybe some of the last, cheap, portable radios made, I'm surprised they have any value. Good to hear from you, pop in more often!
cassette2go used to post a lot of garbage like this years ago lol but you have to love him....his videos are brilliant and i quite admire the guy.........he went through a lot of unnecessary crap like i did donkeys moons ago.....post some more of you're radios here James, don't be a stranger ehh... AO has gone lol
The guy owns three of everything, you two might get into a beer-drinking contest of who owned more of what unobtainable unit. Honestly though, it's been a fun ride and both have schooled me a ton, of course I found a crap-load more Walkmans 20 years ago and AO would let me gently know my finds were ok....
We haven't heard from him in maybe two years? Maybe he'll step back in. Talk about someone with constant bad luck on his purchases.
I just had to see inside this before I sold it. Sansui CP-99W Component Stereo Inside Pictures No Sound still & 4 Sale JVC PC-550C ... from - Easthelp Active Member. Hello, people. In July 2020, I bought a SANSUI CP-99W from a military vet in Dallas, Texas. Guess who? Me. This is why I was asking if he ever got it restored and or see if he would respond to his own thread.
Those are big complicated powerhouses, I doubt I'd buy a non functional one unless it was cheap. Otherwise they are very cool, big and definately a statement piece for Sansui's Limited Boombox Line.
Well here is a sansui CP55w just needing belts the last time I checked. And then here is one of the two sansui. CP 77w s. That I have And then over here is the other one. They're not missing anything. They just need to be belts replaced and serviced on the inside. I just haven't had time. I'll sell any of the three for $100 plus shipping to wherever you live. I'm in Dallas, Texas, USA. decentman4you2007@gmail.com Send me an email. I'll answer any questions. I have PayPal but I'll accept other verified forms of payment. Thanks for showing a little bit of interest lol.
I did send you a lengthy rambling e-mail on July 3 to that e-mail address. Maybe the spam filter ate it
