• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Help! I got some vintage audio gear and I don't know where to start!

N

nubrand

New Member
Hey guys, I am not sure where to post this, but this seems a good start. I recently acquired some vintage tube gear and my experience with this stuff is lacking. I've only had some of the newer receivers (Maybe some 80's models) but nothing like this. I'm not sure where to even start! Let me run down what I got.

Sansui Model 1000a Receiver
Leak Stereo 50 (Amp?) (I really have no idea how to do anything with it)
Akai Reel to Reel (1710 model)
Wintek 555 receiver
Wharfedale SFB/3 Speakers
Akai ss-30 speakers
Concert (?) Model cs-301 speakers (Japan)

I have no idea where to start! Any ideas or help?
 
Register to hide this ad
Well, you can start by sending the Sansui 1000A to me.:D

JK

I have no idea, I am a solid state guy.

Nice stuff though.

Rob
 
If you wanting to use it, well you need to get the amps serviced as they are quite old, and you don't want to burn your house down, or damage them to the point that they are worthless.

The Sansui amp, I have not heard one, but I have read they sound pretty good. A few times I almost purchased one, but when seeing underneath it I passed, as restoring it looked like quite a job, lots of caps to replace on those little amps.

Now the Leak that is IMO the best item on the list, quite desirable amps. I would work at restoring that amp, either yourself if your capable of repairing them, or finding someone who is.

I wouldn't plug any of the tube amps in unless you use a dim light tester first which is quite easy to make and you can find plenty of post on the web showing how and explaining how to use on. But even if it passes the dim light bulb test they both will need restoring considering their age.

Oh and Welcome to AK!
 
Thanks for the welcome! Yeah I am not planning on plugging anything in at all until I get it checked out. Sounds like it was a good idea to pick up this stuff.
 
*****

Ok I'll say it... "Pics or it didn't happen"

:D

Welcome... looking forward to updates on your gear!

*****
 
Haha, here is some of what I got.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0230.jpg
    IMAG0230.jpg
    75.5 KB · Views: 109
  • IMAG0229.jpg
    IMAG0229.jpg
    46.7 KB · Views: 90
  • IMAG0228.jpg
    IMAG0228.jpg
    58.5 KB · Views: 120
  • IMAG0226.jpg
    IMAG0226.jpg
    51.1 KB · Views: 119
  • IMAG0224.jpg
    IMAG0224.jpg
    35 KB · Views: 94
And a little more.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0223.jpg
    IMAG0223.jpg
    41.3 KB · Views: 65
  • IMAG0222.jpg
    IMAG0222.jpg
    33.9 KB · Views: 134
  • IMAG0220.jpg
    IMAG0220.jpg
    34.5 KB · Views: 107
  • IMAG0194.jpg
    IMAG0194.jpg
    49.5 KB · Views: 143
Wow, spectacular, especially when you factor in how you ended up with all this for helping someone clear out a house.

congrats!
 
You are one lucky stiff. Congrats! As said before, that Leak amp is highly desirable & worthy of a total resto. I have a friend with a Sansui like yours that needs TLC & I've been reluctant to tackle it since I would need tiny little Chinese assembly line girl hands to work on it...and mine are far from tiny:)
 
You have a fine haul there. Would be nice if you had an audio/tunes buddy and a technician on your team now. You have some nice pieces there that will make sweet music but will need some TLC if you want to ensure top sound and reliability.

Sometimes you just hook em together, plug it in and it will play, but that would not be my recommendation.

So do you plan to keep or sell, that is first question to ask yourself.
 
That is the question I've been asking myself all night, I'm not sure if I will ever have the time or even a good listening space for this stuff. Originally I just grabbed it to mess around with, but after the reactions I got on here most of this stuff is not an amateur thing to play around with, and someone else might be happier with this stuff than I ever will. But then again how far down the road would I be kicking my self for selling it? haha
 
If it were me, I would sell off everything but the Warfdales and the Leak to fund a refurb on them. I would maybe keep the Akai R2R. The one issue with the Sansui is it has a solid state front end so its not really a purist tube piece anyway, and that Leak is just a beauty. The one piece you would want to find after the other pieces are restored is a good tube pre-amplifier. With that setup and a decent CD player or TT you'd have one killer stereo.
 
If your not really into vintage audio probably selling all the stuff and using the money for something that your really into is a consideration. Some people might just need the money to pay bills, as not everyone has the money to pay for restoring vintage audio gear so they can sit around and listen to music. It all really just depends on the individual situation.
 
So I ended up going back over there and I found the Leak Point One Stereo preamp and some other items also, Sansui 5050 receiver, Modular Componet Systems 3330 Eight Track Deck, Hitachi SR-2001 Receiver, Realistic LAB-75 Turntable, Eico Model HFT-90 KIT Tuner. Any thoughts on this stuff?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom