Sansui Z-3000 (c. 1983–1984)

Documentation on the Sansui Z-3000 is thin, and almost all of it comes from advertising and a single receiver survey. The Z-3000 - badged Z-3000X in Sansui's own ads - was the entry point of a four-model receiver line that also included the Z-5000X, Z-7000X, and Z-9000X. Sansui's advertising for the series boasted four receivers built around its advanced low-distortion technology, with output running from 130 watts down to 55 watts across the line. The Z-3000X sat at the bottom of that range (Audio, March 1984, p.9; HiFI-Stereo, November 1983, p.67).

A 1983 HiFI-Stereo receiver survey grouped the Z-3000 with the same family. It lists an 80 dB mono signal-to-noise ratio, FM total harmonic distortion below 0.005%, and a price around $960. The same table entry also mentions center-tuning indication, bass/midrange/treble tone controls, high and subsonic filters, two tape monitor loops with one-to-two dubbing, three-stage ceramic FM IF filters, and PLL circuitry. The page survives only as fragmented OCR, so the odd figure can't be assigned to its row with total confidence.

Beyond that, essentially nothing else is recorded. No service manual, no confirmed production dates and no complete spec sheet have surfaced. If you own a Z-3000 and can fill in the blanks, the Archive would welcome the record.