Old school stereo

[Pointby2]

When I sent my amp out for a rebuild, this is what they did:

Sansui AU-417 Integrated Amplifier Rebuilt

• The amp has been modified - the plastic transistors were taken out and replaced with brand new "ON" Semiconductor can T03 style transistors, custom mounted with thermal pad protection.
• This unit did not have any fuses so 4 fuses were mounted on the chassis for transistor protection
• The main amps were rebuilt to a AU-717 specifications that added 4 transistors and several caps and main caps raised to 12000uf
• All the transistors on the power amps are brand new
• All the electrolytic capacitors on this entire unit were all replaced with new the audio Elna Silmic II capacitors
• The 2 main and board power caps were replaced with new Cornell Dubiler and Panasonic caps
• All the controls were cleaned with Deoxit and work excellent
• The bias has been set to the original factory mV settings
• The unit was manufactured in 1979 according to the serial number, with the adding of the new power transistors and recap this sounds absolutely incredible!!! I am sure better than it originally sounded when it was new, this like most Sansui's, is designed to run on 110 volts or 220 volts for European use.
• Elna Silmic II capacitors have a 100 hour break in period I have run the unit for about 10 hours for testing so that means that every time you listen to this up to that 100 hour period it will keep sounding better so if you notice a difference in sound each time you turn it on that is why.
• This is very heavy about 35 pounds so the unit will be packed well also these units have a 3 month warranty for repair.

 

[Al18]

Interesting video by an observer who did A/B testing of expensive vs. inexpensive crossover circuits

 

[aja8888]

I use lamp cord for my speaker wire...

(Yeah, no high frequency hearing for the last 50 years too.)

 

[Al18]

Many years ago I worked in a store that catered to audio and video.

Lamp cord (18 AWG) works fine for most home speaker setups. You probably want to attach connectors to ends of the wire.

 

[robnplunder]

My problem is that I never sold anything. I just find places to put them.

That's how I was until I had no place to put unused music components. One day, after seeing one of my speaker sets being sold at a certain price, I posted mine at a much lower price to move it out of my place. It worked. Even with the lower price tag, I think I sold it for more than what I paid.

In the old days, when there were audiophile stores, I was able to bring a particular item, evaluate it, and return (or buy). Those stores are all but gone.

 

[robnplunder]

I use lamp cord for my speaker wire...

(Yeah, no high frequency hearing for the last 50 years too.)

Yeah, it works. I've done it before.

I've built my own quality speaker wires by buying parts from eBay. I saved a bundle without paying big money for "audiophile" level cables. I am blessed with a set of ears that can't distinguish the sound between my homemade cables and the ones costing 10 times more.

 

[robnplunder]

When I sent my amp out for a rebuild, this is what they did:

Sansui AU-417 Integrated Amplifier Rebuilt

View attachment 64530

• The amp has been modified - the plastic transistors were taken out and replaced with brand new "ON" Semiconductor can T03 style transistors, custom mounted with thermal pad protection.
• 
  
• < snip >

Wow! It should sound better than ever before, but it must have cost a fortune.

 

[Ronstar]

…I blame Ronstar for causing me to bring more stuff home.

And I blame you and the rest of the posters on this thread for pushing my purchases to the next level.

Just bought some 16 ga oxygen free copper speaker wire (as discussed here) and more shelves for my AV rack. Now looking at wireless speakers for my home office. And possibly connecting my in existing wall / ceiling speakers to the new receiver. And I haven’t gone to the record store yet.

 

[NW-Bound]

When I sent my amp out for a rebuild, this is what they did:

Sansui AU-417 Integrated Amplifier Rebuilt

View attachment 64530

• The amp has been modified - the plastic transistors were taken out and replaced with brand new "ON" Semiconductor can T03 style transistors, custom mounted with thermal pad protection.
• This unit did not have any fuses so 4 fuses were mounted on the chassis for transistor protection
• The main amps were rebuilt to a AU-717 specifications that added 4 transistors and several caps and main caps raised to 12000uf
• All the transistors on the power amps are brand new
• All the electrolytic capacitors on this entire unit were all replaced with new the audio Elna Silmic II capacitors
• The 2 main and board power caps were replaced with new Cornell Dubiler and Panasonic caps
• All the controls were cleaned with Deoxit and work excellent
• The bias has been set to the original factory mV settings
• The unit was manufactured in 1979 according to the serial number, with the adding of the new power transistors and recap this sounds absolutely incredible!!! I am sure better than it originally sounded when it was new, this like most Sansui's, is designed to run on 110 volts or 220 volts for European use.
• Elna Silmic II capacitors have a 100 hour break in period I have run the unit for about 10 hours for testing so that means that every time you listen to this up to that 100 hour period it will keep sounding better so if you notice a difference in sound each time you turn it on that is why.
• This is very heavy about 35 pounds so the unit will be packed well also these units have a 3 month warranty for repair.

That's a lot of work, and must cost a lot of money.

Sansui was my favorite brand in my youth. My parents had a Sansui 4000, circa 1969. Your Sansui amp is a nice piece of equipment, but as I mentioned, I like to see some wood. Hence, my favorite receiver among several that I have is the Technics SA-600, manufactured in 1978-1979. See a photo borrowed from the Web.

Sadly, this receiver just died recently. No sound from either channel. I suspect that some caps have died. I am sure I can resurrect it. As was the custom back in the days, the user manuals of these receivers had the schematic diagram printed in the appendix. I don't have the original manual, but was able to download a pdf from the Web. I will open it up some time one of these dog days of summer, while hiding from the heat and needing something to do.

Photo linked from the Web:

https://imgur.com/UblyZ6B

 

[YellowSubmarine]

That's a lot of work, and must cost a lot of money.

Sansui was my favorite brand in my youth. My parents had a Sansui 4000, circa 1969. Your Sansui amp is a nice piece of equipment, but as I mentioned, I like to see some wood. Hence, my favorite receiver among several that I have is the Technics SA-600, manufactured in 1978-1979. See a photo borrowed from the Web.

Sadly, this receiver just died recently. No sound from either channel. I suspect that some caps have died. I am sure I can resurrect it. As was the custom back in the days, the user manuals of these receivers had the schematic diagram printed in the appendix. I don't have the original manual, but was able to download a pdf from the Web. I will open it up some time one of these dog days of summer, while hiding from the heat and needing something to do.

https://imgur.com/UblyZ6B

Sansui...many of my Viet Nam buddies came back with Sansui receivers...they sound great and powerful too. You may be aware, Technics is a Panasonic brand...fwiw. Currently I have a Technics turntable (in storage) although my main turntable for 25 years was a Acoustic Research (totally manual). If you ever listened to James Gang Rides Again...you get a special ending on both sides of the LP with a manual table.

 

[robnplunder]

Sansui...many of my Viet Nam buddies came back with Sansui receivers..

What is the connection between Vietnam and Sansui?

My brother-in-law, who served in Vietnam, bought a Sansui system. It sounded really good.

 

[NW-Bound]

Sansui...many of my Viet Nam buddies came back with Sansui receivers...they sound great and powerful too. You may be aware, Technics is a Panasonic brand...fwiw. Currently I have a Technics turntable (in storage) although my main turntable for 25 years was a Acoustic Research (totally manual). If you ever listened to James Gang Rides Again...you get a special ending on both sides of the LP with a manual table.

Yes, Sansui and Pioneer are the two big brands back then.

Technics and Panasonic are the brand names owned by Matsushita Corp. Technics has the higher tier products than Panasonic. I did not think highly of either, but changed my mind after getting the SA-600. It is now sought after by collectors, just as much as the Sansui and Pioneer receivers of the 60-80s.

Besides the SA-600, I also have the Kenwood KR-5150. This one was neglected for some years, and now does not work. Well, another one to resurrect when I feel like working on it.

See photo "borrowed" from the Web.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

What is the connection between Vietnam and Sansui?

My brother-in-law, who served in Vietnam, bought a Sansui system. It sounded really good.

The military RX sold them at steeply discounted rates. As I recall 35-40% off the typical discount price in the states. That was a great deal for many audiophiles.

 

[Koolau]

This thread is getting seriously nerdy

Isn't it wonderful??!!

 

[MC Rider]

I am getting convinced to let my old stuff go. It does not work right.
Most of my vinyl records covers got water damaged and I donated them and the cassettes years ago.

Good news, I got a boom box, and computer speakers for my computers. Car stereo.
And that's good enough for me.

What frequency is my tinnitus? I have no idea, but my hearing is less than great.
Maybe I will ask the doc about it when I go in soon.

 

[Texas Proud]

LOL... I have a Pioneer SX-650 about 10 feet behind me!!

Also a Pioneer VSX... do not remember what I have downstairs but it is better than both..

Funny thing is I have not used any in many many years... and I have expensive speakers..

 

[NW-Bound]

Back in the day I had a nice Pioneer (or was it Scott?) system complete with reel to reel tape, tied to a pair of AR3s. The volume knob went to 11.

At this very moment I'm listening to my (originally owned by my uncle) huge Telefunken Opus...still sounds great! Tubes must be almost 75 years old now.

Best consumer speakers from the 70s (per CR) were the AR -3A and LST2 from Acoustic Research. I sold my LST2 set about 4 years ago for 2x what I paid for them. I did refoam the woofers.

Yes, the AR3a (circa 1967) is quite renowned for its acoustic suspension design. I knew of it as a teenager, and of course did not have any money to buy it. I have not had a chance to listen to it, but read that it has a flat response down to fairly low frequencies, although this is at the expense of efficiency, and it takes a lot of power to drive it to a high listening level. The Advent speakers are also of the acoustic suspension type. I just picked up a pair of Advent Legacy, and like what I hear.

Nowadays, it is more common to have a subwoofer to be able to go even lower. Still, the AR3a is sought after by audiophiles.

See below a pair of AR3a in mint condition being offered at a good price.

 

[Pointby2]

LOL... I have a Pioneer SX-650 about 10 feet behind me!!

Also a Pioneer VSX... do not remember what I have downstairs but it is better than both..

Funny thing is I have not used any in many many years... and I have expensive speakers..

Why not pass them on then? That SX-650 is worth $400-600. Sell it cheap and make some new enthusiast happy.

 

[Pointby2]

What frequency is my tinnitus? I have no idea, but my hearing is less than great.
Maybe I will ask the doc about it when I go in soon.

Tinnitus is the one thing that stops me from listening to my music more often. So freakin' annoying.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Yes, the AR3a (circa 1967) is quite renowned for its acoustic suspension design. I knew of it as a teenager, and of course did not have any money to buy it. I have not had a chance to listen to it, but read that it has a flat response down to fairly low frequencies, although this is at the expense of efficiency, and it takes a lot of power to drive it to a high listening level. The Advent speakers are also of the acoustic suspension type. I just picked up a pair of Advent Legacy, and like what I hear.

Nowadays, it is more common to have a subwoofer to be able to go even lower. Still, the AR3a is sought after by audiophiles.

See below a pair of AR3a in mint condition being offered at a good price.

LOL

 

[YellowSubmarine]

LOL as those 3As are torn up....Yes, Advents were the poor man's AR3A. Here's the Rich man's 3As...AR -LST2. The cabinet contains two extra tweeters and two midrange speakers as seen in pic. Also the center speaker had a three position frequency crossover/filter control for the entire tweet and mids. I sold my pair for some big bucks a few years ago. I purchased these used from a Nashville studio musician who also worked with Sonny and Cher. fwiw.

 

[Dawg52]

Back in the 80’s I had a Kenwood receiver & EQ, Pioneer turntable and JBL speakers. Don’t ask me model numbers as my rusty old brain corroded over those. It was a pretty good setup but receiver died and I moved on.

 

[NW-Bound]

Hmm... Never knew of the LST2, nor the original LST. I did know about Altec Lansing ginormous speakers though. But before one even entertains the idea of acquiring one, he must first upgrade his dwelling to have a listening room of 500-1000 sq.ft., and with cathedral ceiling of 15 ft, carpeted and heavy drapes on the walls for sound absorbing.

Anyway, about the acoustic suspension design, any Joe Blow can duplicate the AR3a now, even in his garage. Why not build a pair yourself? Ronstar can build a beautiful speaker enclosure that puts these speaker makers to shame. And I am sure you can study and find the right drivers to mount in that custom speaker cabinet.

By the way, as a kid I had a book authored by the founder of Wharfedale. He talked of a speaker cabinet with a double wall. In between is a sand fill to dampen vibrations. The alternative was to line the interior wall with corrugated lead sheets! He also talked of building permanent speaker enclosures with bricks. I guess back in those days, they did not have heavy composition boards.

And my lowly Mordaunt-Short tower speakers have a false bottom, with a fill cap in the rear. The idea is the owner can fill that compartment with sand for sound deadening. I think it takes 1/3 cu. ft. I have not done that.

So, these British guys are really into filling speakers with sand, even up into the present time.

 

[NW-Bound]

Yes, Advents were the poor man's AR3A

I just learned something. The AR3a and the Advent speakers are brothers from the same father.

The acoustic suspension principle was originally invented in the 1950s by Kloss and his associates at Acoustic Research. When Kloss left to launch the Advent Corporation in 1967, he brought this technology to the masses, focusing on high-fidelity speakers that were highly accessible and affordable.

 

[NW-Bound]

Found some more tidbits. The history behind these speakers goes back more than 70 years.

Acoustic Research (AR) was founded by Ed Villchur and Henry Kloss in 1954. The primary basis for the company was Villchur’s patent for the acoustic suspension woofer. Villchur also later patented the dome tweeter. In 1957 Kloss left AR and using a license from AR founded speaker manufacturer KLH along with two other former AR stock holders (Low and Hofmann). KLH was sold to Singer Inc in 1964 and AR was sold to Teledyne in 1967.

Kloss left KLH in 1967 to form a company (Advent) for the purposes of marketing an affordable, high quality projection TV. In need of funds for R & D, in 1969 he designed what became the best selling Advent Loudspeaker.