Sansui SR-2020 (1968)
A manual belt-drive turntable released in June 1968, emphasizing precision mechanics and high compliance cartridge performance.
Overview
The Sansui SR-2020 is a two-speed, manual turntable made by Sansui and released in June 1968. It was designed with a focus on minimizing mechanical resonance and maximizing tracking accuracy, featuring a static balanced non-resonant pipe arm and an IM (Induced Magnet) type cartridge with a lightweight cantilever. It shares design principles with the SR-3030 and SR-4040, aiming to deliver high-fidelity playback by refining core turntable performance.
Specifications
| Method | Belt drive system |
| Drive type | Belt-driven |
| Operation type | Manual |
| Number of speeds | 2 |
| Rated speed | 33 1/3, 45 rpm |
| Turntable | 30 cm diameter, 1.1 kg, aluminum alloy die-cast |
| Power supply motor | Capacitor-actuated hysteresis synchronous motor |
| Rotation switching system | Belt changing mechanism by push button |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 45 dB or more |
| Wow and flutter | 0.1% or less |
| PU Arm | Static balanced non-resonant pipe arm |
| Tracking error | ±1° |
| Needle pressure adjustment range | 0g ~ 2.5g (read directly in 0.5g steps) |
| Cartridge type | IM (Induced Magnet) Type |
| Frequency characteristic | 15 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Output balance | 1.5 dB or less |
| Channel separation | 30 dB or More (1 kHz) |
| Output voltage | 5mV |
| Standard load resistance | 50k Ω |
| Standard needle pressure | 1.5g ~ 2g |
| Needle tip compliance | 17 x 10^-6 cm/dyne |
| Needle tip | 0.5 mil, diamond needle |
| Attachments | Delay oil-type arm lifter linked to the power switch, needle pressure direct reading weight, cartridge self-weight compensation sub-weight, plug-in spare head shell |
| Power supply voltage | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 20VA |
| External dimensions | 520 mm (W) x 178 mm (H) x 375 mm (D) |
| Weight | 8kg |
Design
The SR-2020 uses a belt-drive mechanism that drives the inner rim of a double-rim turntable, powered by a 4-pole hysteresis synchronous motor with a large capacitor. The polyurethane endless belt is precision-made to uniform micron-order thickness with a grinder finish. Speed switching is push-button operated and automatically interlocked when power is off to prevent belt deformation. The tonearm is a static balanced, non-resonant pipe design with minimized weight, friction, and inertia. It includes a delay oil-type arm lifter and start mechanism to prevent sudden movements. The IM cartridge features a linear lightweight cantilever for high compliance, especially in high frequencies. A lightweight spare headshell (7g) made of special light alloy with reinforced ribs is included, using a European standard connector. The cabinet has a walnut open pore finish and an acrylic dust cover, with special rubber cushioning to prevent howling and an anti-static rubber sheet to prevent record charging.
Context
The Sansui SR-2020 is part of a series that includes the Sansui SR-3030 and Sansui SR-4040, and like the SR-4040, it emphasizes fundamental turntable performance over added features.
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