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Au-717 tech needed

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woodster1

Member
Hello all, I am usually over on the yamaha or marantz forums , but I am trying to help a friend get his au717 out of the basement and back into his system upstairs.
we will appreciate any guidance you could give us.
We are looking for a tech that can do a good re-cap, rebuild job on his AU 717.
We are located in Montana . Is there a good sansui tech in our area?
Thank you
Gordon
 
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You don't need a "Sansui Guy" for a simple re-cap and service. You only need to find an electronics tech that will even bother with vintage gear.



My guy is in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and repairs/ services all hi end brands.

So I can't help ya with anybody from Montana. Sorry
 
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I’d agree you don’t necessarily need a Sansui guy, but familiarity with the AU-717 or willingness to research something like @Leestereo’s thread would help. A general repair person might not know about the corrosive glue, fuse resistors, VD1212 diodes, etc. They might just replace the easy to access caps with whatever they have lying around and call it good.

I’ve overhauled three AU-717s but only as a hobby. I’d offer to help but I’m in western Washington.

BTW it can be expensive if you want to use good parts like Nichicon Gold Tune PSU caps, and time consuming to do everything right. But if the unit is in good condition cosmetically I think it’s worth it.
 
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Agree with DB-7 on finding a Tech. You need a vintage Tech who can service any vintage equipment. While its a nice to have, if he has a lot of experience on Sansui, but most older techs will have experience on all the major brands of the era.
There are many vintage techs (like I) who could service a unit like the AU-717, the issue you have if finding someone you can drive the unit to. Shipping has recently gone way up, so sending a unit like the 717 (Packed properly, and double boxed), can easily approach $100 each way if coming to my location for example(NYC). And what can be more of an issue is that the unit can be mishandled by many, resulting is serious damage to the Amp, especially if the packing if not so great. I always assume that any unit shipped needs to be packed in a way, that It will be able to survive being dropped 3 to 4 feet off the back of a truck.
Good luck in your search for a local Vintage Electronic tech. Assume that whoever you find will be old like the rest of us Techs on AK.
 
ghamilton said:
Leestereo here on the karma
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If I'm not mistaken, Leestereo is in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. That's like 8 hours drive from me and a Hella long way from Montana.

Shipping these days would be roughly $200 usd one way going by snail mail. Trust me, I know from recent purchases from the US.

Not to mention risk of damage.
 
Thank you all for the replies!
Crv00 , what you are referring to is exactly why I was referencing a “sansui “ guy as we were hoping to get this unit in the hands of someone that already knows what to expect with this particular amp and is familiar with its nuances, bad glue etc. etc.
Thank you all for the replies we will keep the search going forward.
Thank you
 
The qrxrestore.com in Eugene Oregon would be able to restore your friends AU 717, I have had 8 units recapped over the last 11 years they do great work, they also sell shipping boxes to keep the sets safe during shipments.
Visit their website for prices and services. Hope this helps Ken

email address here
tech@qrxrestore.com
 
woodster1 said:
Thank you all for the replies!
Crv00 , what you are referring to is exactly why I was referencing a “sansui “ guy as we were hoping to get this unit in the hands of someone that already knows what to expect with this particular amp and is familiar with its nuances, bad glue etc. etc.
Thank you all for the replies we will keep the search going forward.
Thank you
Click to expand...

It's nuances/common problem areas are well described in the AU717 restoration threads by @Leestereo and @Supernoob. These threads are wonderful roadmaps for restoration and performance improvement. Well worth reviewing.
 
Unrelated to Sansui, but I remember a Marantz 2500 Owner who drove his amp from Boston to Rob/Merrylander down here to Howard County Maryland. And when the Amp was done he drove back down, and back up.

It depends. You could double the cost of the service and say that the amp is now worth that.

I am inclined to have my Au 919 done in the near future. Pulled it out and plugged it in for the first time in a while tonight. No speakers on it yet. Just let it warm.......
 
Someone who deals with many manufacturers gear may miss some of the finer points of Sansui restoration. IMO you have a better chance of getting a 'first quality' restore from someone who knows Sansui well. The kind of people I am referring to have already been mentioned in this thread.
 
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