Getting an Akai AA-R31

[Trance88]

Hey gang!

Looks like I may be getting an Akai AA-R31 tomorrow.
Anyone have any experience with this receiver? Any specs?

 

[blhagstrom]

I have an AA-R41.
Absolutely beautiful.
Haven't used it in a while though.

The AA-R31 is listed at 38wpc. Should be NICE.

Service manual is available at
http://elektrotanya.com/akai_aa-r21_r31_sm.pdf/download.html
and at
http://www.hifi-manuals.com/Akai

Both free, the first site is a little whacky to get the download button "up" ?!?!?
Lots of info in a service manual

 

[Trance88]

Cool beans! Looks like I may have finally struck gold on my craigslist search. Can you believe this guy is only selling it for 15 bucks?

 

[blhagstrom]

Cool beans! Looks like I may have finally struck gold on my craigslist search.

Well, at least some solid silver, but with some good speakers, yeah, it should be "golden".

Let us know how it goes.

(and what speakers you're running)

 

[Trance88]

Well, at least some solid silver, but with some good speakers, yeah, it should be "golden".

Let us know how it goes.

(and what speakers you're running)

Well, the speakers I'm going to use with it are pretty low end. I run an a+b "stacked" setup with a pair of bookshelf Presidian (Radioshack) speakers on the desk and two Philips bookshelf speakers (that once belonged with a shelf system) on the floor next to the desk. The Philips have nice bass with the passive radiator on top.

 

[Trance88]

I just got the receiver an hour ago. I've only tested it through headphones and from what I can hear, it's sounds quite good! Best craigslist purchase yet!

 

[pochejp]

Hey gang!

Looks like I may be getting an Akai AA-R31 tomorrow.
Anyone have any experience with this receiver? Any specs?

Have not seen or heard that model but I have an AA-1150 receiver and a AT-2450 coupled to a AM-2600 that is absolutely amazing. :thmbsp:

 

[Trance88]

The tuning dial is a little finicky but other than that, everything seems good so far! It is way better than my old Panasonic "all-in-one".

 

[blhagstrom]

speakers

Congratulations on the "grab".

NOW, you need to locate some better speakers.

 

[Trance88]

Hey guys, I've got a question about this amp.

I've noticed that it sounds a little thin compared to my modern TEAC receiver. Is it possible a slight thinness in the sound could be a symptom of the caps starting to show signs of age? I suppose there is an ever so slight hint of hum too.

 

[Isotonic]

I have an AAR30. Very nice sounding, totally underappreciated line of receivers. Congrats n your fine. I would have snatched it up too.

 

[blhagstrom]

Hey guys, I've got a question about this amp.

I've noticed that it sounds a little thin compared to my modern TEAC receiver. Is it possible a slight thinness in the sound could be a symptom of the caps starting to show signs of age? I suppose there is an ever so slight hint of hum too.

Those sound like the symptoms of main filter cap failure (no certainty though). When the main filter caps get bad, bass goes away and/or they can hum. The other electrolytics could be going bad too. From what I've read, electrolytics have a "life" of about 10 years. Power regulators and diodes in the bridge are supposed to cause hum too.

Re-capping SS stuff is not rocket science, but you do need a little skill. Parts are cheap (www.mouser.com or www.digikey.com) Do you know how to solder?

I have re-capped a Sansui 661 trying to get the hum, but no luck. I now suspect the diodes in the power supply circuit. I'm still "green" and don't have enough tools and skill so trial-and-error are still part of my method.

 

[Trance88]

The main filter caps are the two really big ones located close to the transformer, right? I have a tad bit of experience soldering caps.