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How far gone is TOO far gone?

B

blazeaglory

Active Member
When selecting an older amp to use, fix, learn how to rebuild, etc...How "far gone" is too far gone?

For example, an old Luxman L-100U. It is missing two feet and a little dirty/some small metal stains (can they be cleaned?), the cabinet is complete but a little scratched but no chunks missing, it powers on but hasnt really been tested. It looks complete.

Is it worth trying to save? I know that is very vague but I have always had a love for these kind of amps and I have heard Luxman is a decent one?

Thank you!
 
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Luxman makes good stuff.
Whether it's worth it or not depends. Are you fixing to keep, learn about repairs, to sell?
If you like it and want a project I would say go for it. You may not be able to recoup your money but the knowledge and experience will be great and starting with a less than perfect piece means there is less worry about damaging a classic while you're łearning. The fact that it powers on means you are already ahead if the game. Feet are easy to replace, metal stains depends but I'm sure you can make them better.
 
That is rather subjective. I would look at as "how much will it cost to refurbish vs buying a complete and working model with no missing parts and cosmetic issues".
 
may depend upon how picky one is about aesthetics, everyone seems to have their own standards. although a lot can be done with creativity and a little help from the forum, some scrapes and knocks can not be mended.
 
I want it so I can open it up and begin a project and familiarize myself (finally) with all of the electronics pieces I have been hearing/reading about for almost 25 years now...Plus I need an excuse to buy a soldering kit. I kick myself in the butt now for not keeping all the old amps from my highschool days in the early 90s when we would find all kinds of solid state amps at the goodwill. I cant even remember what I did with the few I bought but I can remember how they made my speakers come to LIFE! Ahhh good ol Fischer 15's never sounded so good...The memories...

I think this amp would be a medium/long term project for myself but who knows how it will go. I am thinking of the experience rather than the immediate need for an amp (I have a DENON that will suffice in the mean time) but ever since I got the bug (again), I am awake at night reading this forum and looking for equipment/components.

Oh and about the unobtaniums...What exactly would those parts be? Electron tubes? Or just the circuitry?

I like this amp because it has 110w per channel and looks pretty nice as well. I would like a Marantz or something similar..Maybe its the lights they remind me of when we were kids, that cool guy with the leopard print rug and leather couches who always had the chicks...haha

Is it possible for this metal to be cleaned without rubbing off any of the lettering?
 

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here is search result from google on "Luxman L-100U" at domain = audiokarma.org

if there are any known or common issues with that model you will be able to find them in these threads


EDIT: that unit doesn't look that bad physically (can't speak for functionality of course). if you get it be sure to have feet under it so that convection cooling can work properly
 
the lettering was probably silk screened. not sure how much abuse that can take. take a bunch of pictures n case you need to have it re lettered.
 
roger2 said:
here is search result from google on "Luxman L-100U" at domain = audiokarma.org

if there are any known or common issues with that model you will be able to find them in these threads


EDIT: that unit doesn't look that bad physically (can't speak for functionality of course). if you get it be sure to have feet under it so that convection cooling can work properly
Click to expand...

I have some old plastic feet from an ONKYO amp I can use...lol Imagine that

But I have some friend in the machining business so maybe I can call in some favors.

Thanks for that link! I have found a few threads so far and one actually rebuilt a Luxman. It is a little confusing but I think I can get the hang of it. I think I am just burnt out from taking in too much of this at once this past week. I think I need some sleep...
 
CohibaJoe has done probably dozens of amps and has his process down well. For a 1st time project, it will be a significant learning curve, but one that you seem to be ready to invest in. Everyone will work a little differently and for some, like me, it is continuously evolving. Some threads are more detailed than others because posting is itself considerable work.

Use that thread and try to find a few more similar to it for your specific model. Then there will be lots of general knowledge type threads like the Deoxit sticky, how to test transistors, etc. that will apply regardless of model.
 
Thank you, that is good to know...Yes he seems like a wealth of knowledge! His work looks very good.

I am afraid you might hear more from me than you all would like after this...lol

I have always wanted to do this, for many years now. I have been sidetracked and these past few years I started "being about it" instead of talking about it...That goes for everything in my life, not just AV.

Im not getting any younger and I do have a bit of time (god willing) on my hands, so I am going to take on the challenge...

As I look more into it, it does seem really advanced but I think with this forums help and the types of threads you suggested, I might be able to accomplish this task (or labor of love?)

So if I do acquire this amp, you all will be the first to know! By the end of this week you should know haha

Good night all and thank you!!

D
 
Looking at that thread, this amp looks a bit complicated for a first project IMHO. Not trying to discourage you at all, others have taken on similar amps for their first project and had success. Everyone has different experience, learning/organizational abilities, and patience. Personally, I would choose a simple amp to learn on. Easier to work on and much quicker to the finish line where you get the positive reinforcement of a successful project.
 
Well let's put some reason to read page 2 of this thread so someone will need to follow this post with that good post.

Not knowing baglory's skill level, using the fact that he needs to buy soldering equipment, I'm with roger2 on the issue of whether this amp is too much for a first-timer. This is something the OP can respond to or consider.

The L-100 is a great amp. Very old, from the mid-70s and needing some work. I'm interested in what parts Steve believes are unobtanium or very-rareium that would make the choice of this working amp* a problem. I believe the unit is just discrete components and not really an issue finding the electronic parts. As will many units today, finding the knobs, switches, buttons and dials for vintage will be much harder. But this unit isn't using a bunch of IC chips that can't be replaced.

The faceplate is engraved so you can clean it without losing the wording.

*Blaze said the amp works. If it comes out of protection and does in fact work, the rebuild is just a matter of swapping out all the recommended components for some new parts. This involves some disassembly that is more difficult than many and less difficult than some units. But with it working, diagnostics will be kept to a minimum and will occur when the project is in it last stages, the turn-on after the work.

This unit has a couple boards that are additional to the standard amps. There is a winker circuit to flash the on indicator and a mute circuit that is done with a touch switch for muting the signal by 20dB or so. Just a bit more work to do but the unit is worth the trouble.
 
roger2 said:
Looking at that thread, this amp looks a bit complicated for a first project IMHO. Not trying to discourage you at all, others have taken on similar amps for their first project and had success. Everyone has different experience, learning/organizational abilities, and patience. Personally, I would choose a simple amp to learn on. Easier to work on and much quicker to the finish line where you get the positive reinforcement of a successful project.
Click to expand...

yeah I agree it does look fairly complicated but I do have some electrical experience so I figure I can do it (eventually)..If not, it will be for sale soon here haha!
 
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