AU-999 Recondition complete......WOW.....

[kevzep]

Great job on that AU-999 Kevin, I'm not surprised that the sound has been totally transformed into something really great! Sansui were ahead of their time that's for sure in every aspect, if you compare a Pioneer from the same period and of similar league, the Sansui leaves it for dead.
Those old caps in the 999 would have been one of the contributing factors to it sounding a bit dull, in my AU777 that I overhauled about 2 years ago, gradually replacing the electros, I could hear it improving the further I went through and then all the transistors expect drivers/outputs and wow it really came alive and sounds so dam nice! I checked all the old caps on my ESR meter and they were all so out of tolerance it wasn't funny like a 33uf reading close to 70uf and a 1uf reading about 5uf and the ESR values reading higher than normal too. So those old grey Elna caps have a lot to answer for!

Cheers...

PS Did get your email and have been meaning to reply with some interesting things hifi related but have been busy of late, but will get there.

Yeah, it is something really special sounding now for sure.....I thought it might not have been as smooth in the high mids as I was expecting, but I compared it to the G-9K.......with the same track and speakers, wow!! At the moderate level I was playing the music at, the 999 was holding its own.....its not quite the expansive crystalline sound of the G-9K but its a very impressive sound none the less..........nothing to scoff at!!

No worries Glen, I know about getting busy all too well...:thmbsp:

 

[vintage 5.0]

Nice job it looks awsome. I have a 999 that has not been gone through and it sounds awsome I can only imagine how great that must sound. I may have to get mine done someday. Again great job looks very nice.

 

[kevzep]

Nice job it looks awsome. I have a 999 that has not been gone through and it sounds awsome I can only imagine how great that must sound. I may have to get mine done someday. Again great job looks very nice.

Thank you, well I can highly recommend having it done, it really transforms the amplifier into something extremely nice to listen to........

 

[ManyMoonsAudio]

Don't get an AU-9500 whatever you do... You may just drift away from receivers alltogether.

 

[kevzep]

Don't get an AU-9500 whatever you do... You may just drift away from receivers alltogether.

Ive got my mind set on a G-22000/33000 and nothing will change my mind about that......

HAHA!!! Famous last words of course....

 

[Willleung]

Well Ive finally finished the 999, new electrolytic caps from one end to the other, all the transistors from one end to the other have been replaced, not one of the old ones left in the amplifier......

I went to 10,000uf main caps, put a bigger bridge rectifier in it......

Recapped every board including the speaker protector board, deoxited everything......

So I ran it up with very very pleasing results, the thing just revealed amazing detail in the sound......NOTHING like it was before, the bass is tight and even, everything is clean and clear all the way up the through the mids to the most delicate top end, very nice.......:yes:

Its very punchy for its 50watts, I was so impressed with the sound I thought I would put it on the 4412 JBL's in our studio setup we have, I have a QSC powerlite 1.8 on the 4412's and have always thought it was doing a fine job......well, both my girlfriend and I prefer to mix on the AU-999, theres something about the linearity and clarity in this amplifier we really like....and its capacitor coupled....go figure...:scratch2:

So there it is, it stays on the studio monitors, and you know 50watts is totally enough power to do our mixing with......
My girlfriend, who writes the songs and does most of the mixing just loves it....who would have thought.....an amplifier nearly 40 years old would be so impressive.....

Where are you kevzep? Was in Auckland from 1992 to 2003..

 

[kevzep]

Where are you kevzep? Was in Auckland from 1992 to 2003..

Auckland 1966-present.....

 

[Trnsfmr]

I gave up on trying to figure out the speaker protection board on my AU999 and just went ahead and bypassed it completely. To me it seemed just as likely to blow some output transistors as it was to protect anything. Fuses are usually rated at +100%, -50%, you know.

So, I fired it up, and wow, just like the last time, this is some sweet sounding amp. So warm sounding and touchy feely, I would almost call it "warm distortion", but I like it. I ordered a balance control from Allparts, it's a guitar part. I didn't want to go with an old NOS part, as it would still be a very old pot.

I haven't done my diff amp mod to this one yet. I like to get them working correctly stock, before I change anything.

I'll decide for sure when I get the balance pot in, but I think I'm just gonna stay with the flying saucer transistors. They are so cool looking, and it sounds great. I don't think this unit has had much use.

By the way Kev, I sent you those parts, air mail, maybe you'll get them by the end of the week.

 

[kevzep]

I gave up on trying to figure out the speaker protection board on my AU999 and just went ahead and bypassed it completely. To me it seemed just as likely to blow some output transistors as it was to protect anything. Fuses are usually rated at +100%, -50%, you know.

So, I fired it up, and wow, just like the last time, this is some sweet sounding amp. So warm sounding and touchy feely, I would almost call it "warm distortion", but I like it. I ordered a balance control from Allparts, it's a guitar part. I didn't want to go with an old NOS part, as it would still be a very old pot.

I haven't done my diff amp mod to this one yet. I like to get them working correctly stock, before I change anything.

I'll decide for sure when I get the balance pot in, but I think I'm just gonna stay with the flying saucer transistors. They are so cool looking, and it sounds great. I don't think this unit has had much use.

By the way Kev, I sent you those parts, air mail, maybe you'll get them by the end of the week.

WooHoo...... thanks Jim, cant wait to get that diff mod done.......

Very keen to see how it works out......

 

[caudalie_fr]

Hi folks,
This is my first post on that forum so be nice with the Newbie :stupid:
I just got a 999 from the Bay.:thmbsp:
I came to it after reading lots of nice descriptions on that model. Above all, I already play my music on a AU-5500 that I love. Vintage Sansui's are true jewels for sure.
However the 999 I bought only works, it doesn't sound. No guts in there.
It needs a thourough overhaul and recap.
For that I've read hundreds of posts on AK, collecting every bits of knowledge...
Your work Kev is astonishing and gave me a kick somewhere: I must do the same thing.
Would it be too much to ask you a list of the replacement parts you used, particularly caps.
I noticed you used Panasonic ECA but i've read so many different advices on Elna Silmic or Nichicon caps that my head hurts and I still don't know what to order...

Do you think changing the Tr's is also a must have or simply nice to have? I know you did it but my 999 seems OK on that point: no hum, cracks, pops or any noise of any kind. Is such a replacement as spectacular as recapping is?
I plan to go step by step, starting with power supply caps. Questions start here: which ones should I use? I understand you used 10000uf without any trouble. A preferred brand? :scratch2:

Too many questions, I think I should stop here for now.

If any of you feel like helping me I would be forever grateful :yippy:

NB: I have the service manual of 999. If someone is interested please ask, I will send it with pleasure.

 

[kevzep]

Hi folks,
This is my first post on that forum so be nice with the Newbie :stupid:
I just got a 999 from the Bay.:thmbsp:
I came to it after reading lots of nice descriptions on that model. Above all, I already play my music on a AU-5500 that I love. Vintage Sansui's are true jewels for sure.
However the 999 I bought only works, it doesn't sound. No guts in there.
It needs a thourough overhaul and recap.
For that I've read hundreds of posts on AK, collecting every bits of knowledge...
Your work Kev is astonishing and gave me a kick somewhere: I must do the same thing.
Would it be too much to ask you a list of the replacement parts you used, particularly caps.
I noticed you used Panasonic ECA but i've read so many different advices on Elna Silmic or Nichicon caps that my head hurts and I still don't know what to order...

Do you think changing the Tr's is also a must have or simply nice to have? I know you did it but my 999 seems OK on that point: no hum, cracks, pops or any noise of any kind. Is such a replacement as spectacular as recapping is?
I plan to go step by step, starting with power supply caps. Questions start here: which ones should I use? I understand you used 10000uf without any trouble. A preferred brand? :scratch2:

Too many questions, I think I should stop here for now.

If any of you feel like helping me I would be forever grateful :yippy:

NB: I have the service manual of 999. If someone is interested please ask, I will send it with pleasure.

Welcome to AK.....
What you need to do is start your own thread for your questions...you will get more responses this way, rather than me just checking my old tread......:thmbsp:

The "flying Saucer" transistors need to go (germanium) 8002/9002/X-495.
They are notoriously unreliable and will fail at some point of they havent already

I used BHC 10,000uf caps, I also upgraded the bridge rectifier to cope with the extra inrush current on power-up....

I use panasonic because they are the ones most available down here in New Zealand, we dont always have the luxury of the choices available in USA....

Any of the caps you mentioned will be fine.....
I for my other projects lately I have used Panasonic FM/FC exclusively.

Theres another member tobyj17 doing a recap on an AU-999 at the moment....I have posted substitutes etc on his thread, so see if you can find his one.....
Use "search AK with google" rather than search AKin the search function....

Let us know how you go.....

 

[caudalie_fr]

Thanks for the advice Kev.
That was my first post and I'm pretty sure that there will be others, in new threads :thmbsp:
I'll keep you all informed of my work as you did it before
And now: let's go to work. The best to come...

 

[kevzep]

Thanks for the advice Kev.
That was my first post and I'm pretty sure that there will be others, in new threads :thmbsp:
I'll keep you all informed of my work as you did it before
And now: let's go to work. The best to come...

No problems, plenty of pictures are important, so we can see how you are going.....

Here is a link to Toby's thread, theres a lot of info which will be useful to you on here.......http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=397873

 

[tobyj17]

Now If I can find the time to start working on it!

 

[skippy124]

Iv'e also aquired a 999 in need of some TLC..... was previously worked on by "an experienced vintage tech"....... hmmmmm

 

[kevzep]

Iv'e also aquired a 999 in need of some TLC..... was previously worked on by "an experienced vintage tech"....... hmmmmm

Good Man!! Looks like there could be a run of threads about AU-999's then?

Gotta love those "so called vintage techs"......

 

[skippy124]

Hi Kev, I should have added thanks to you for this thread as well!!

I might be calling on some assistance, I think there will be a couple of challenges in getting mine up and running, I'll start a thread once I get the time to get into it.

Cheers

John

Edit:.... maybe we should ask for a 999 subforum

 

[kevzep]

Hi Kev, I should have added thanks to you for this thread as well!!

I might be calling on some assistance, I think there will be a couple of challenges in getting mine up and running, I'll start a thread once I get the time to get into it.

Cheers

John

Edit:.... maybe we should ask for a 999 subforum

Ha!!...999 sub forum.. .. Well maybe we can just use my thread......its all good!!

I have to admit, even though I have the G22K in my main system and it looks extremely captivating....the AU-999 sitting next to the TU-999 in my music room is still a serious piece of eye candy!!!
Love the green illuminated tuning scale and dials.........looks great in the dark.....and not a bad tuner too....really pulls in the stations!!!

 

[vintage 5.0]

For what it is worth I have had a AU 999 and have the AU 8500 and 9500. I have not recapped any of them but I like the 8500 and 9500 0ver the 999 any day of the week .The 999 is a good amp but not up to the same level as the 9500. Just my opinion not knocking the 999 but the 9500 series to me was the best.

 

[Tsushima1]

For what it is worth I have had a AU 999 and have the AU 8500 and 9500. I have not recapped any of them but I like the 8500 and 9500 0ver the 999 any day of the week .The 999 is a good amp but not up to the same level as the 9500. Just my opinion not knocking the 999 but the 9500 series to me was the best.

Whilst I wouldn't be surprised were your personal 1-2-3 to still apply here 5.0 , as the essential DNA of the disparate models may well still manifest regardless~

However!

Without any form of service having been performed on the amplifiers for some time ? , Possibly even since shipping from Japan 40 ish years ago, are you really experiencing the true sonics of your amplifiers ? .

Therefore , Can one really be so certain that the 9500 outperforms the 999 ( Published THD figures aside ) without them both performing at, or close too ,factory spec !