Sansui 6060

The Sansui 6060 Receiver hit the market in 1976 and retailed for around $420.00. It was near the lower end of the Sansui lineup in the mid 1970’s. By 1978 it was reaching the end of its product life and some retailers were selling it as part of a package deal. One such package from Kelly’s in Canada featured the Sansui 6060 stereo along with a Sansui SR-232 turntable and a pair of EDS 600 speakers for only $760 Canadian dollars which was roughly $575 US dollars at the time.

The Sansui 6060 has a decent amount of power at 44 watts per channel into 8 ohms. It also has all the basic features you’d want in a receiver including signal and tuning meters. It’s a nice looking stereo with a brushed aluminum front panel and sleek wood case. The black dial face with blue back lighting is very appealing and is easily readable in a dark room.

The front panel features a 20dB muting switch, a Mic input with mixing level control, high and low filters, loudness control, headphone jack, and a speaker selector switch for two sets of speakers.

In terms of performance the 6060 does well. The 44 wpc will produce enough volume to fill most any room. Total harmonic distortion is no more than 0.4%. It uses an integrated circuits in the phono EQ section as well as the FM front end. FM reception is very good. It has the capability to accept a Dolby noise reduction adapter. Most consider the 6060’s sound to be clean and warm.

Specifications:

• Tuning range: FM, MW
• Power output: 40 watts per channel into 8 ohms (stereo)
• Frequency response: 15Hz to 40kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.4%
• Signal to noise ratio: 80dB (line)
• Dimensions: 462 x 146 x 299mm / 18.3 x 5.9 x 13 inch
• Weight: 11.4kg / 25 lb 5.3 oz
• Year: 1976

The Sansui 690 is the European version of the 6060 and has a black face plate which really looks nice.

The build quality of the Sansui 6060 is average at best. The wood case has a fairly cheap simulated walnut grain vinyl covering, the push buttons are a little small and made of plastic, and the dial glass isn’t glass at all but plastic. But, Sansui had to make it affordable to the lower end consumer.

One plus is that the 6060 has an AUX input on the back panel so you can hook up your phone or iPod to it.

The powerhouse of the Sansui lineup at the time was the 9090 (9090DB), which is legendary in vintage audio circles, followed by the 8080 and 7070. Not everybody could afford those units so the 6060 and 5050 filled the more budget oriented consumer need. Today, if you can afford a little more I would opt for the 7070 over the 6060, Still, Sansui 6060 is a good looking, good performing stereo with all the basic features you’ll need.