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JVC JA-S44, a restore, and some respect for good design.

Google the model Number and then manual. you'll get a load of links.

Re-capping is replacing all the caps. They have a tendency to dry out after 20 years or so and either fail open or short. It WILL improve the sound and add to the life of the unit.

Parts can be had from Digikey, Mouser, mcm, electronix (caps, transistors, etc. provided they are still obtainable). Some of the "proprietary" items are usually not obtainable and substitutions will have to be figured out.

Larry
 
Impression on JVC/victor stuff

i have a small Victor(JVC) mediocre looking amp that sound equally good if not better than an Accuphase E202 integrated amp.

though the small victor it doesn't have the muscle of E202 in terms of power , but in terms sheer musicality, the victor have a significant edge.

a good artist can produce a masterpiece even on a small canvas.

i have sent the E202 for recapping and it will be ready in 2 weeks time.


if the E202 better the victor after it come back , what does it mean?

does it mean is time to sent the small victor for recap?

Who say kenwood/accuphase can produce more superior audio gear than JVC/victor?

I am all ears.
 
ltz1830 said:
i have a small Victor(JVC) mediocre looking amp that sound equally good if not better than an Accuphase E202 integrated amp.

though the small victor it doesn't have the muscle of E202 in terms of power , but in terms sheer musicality, the victor have a significant edge.

a good artist can produce a masterpiece even on a small canvas.

i have sent the E202 for recapping and it will be ready in 2 weeks time.


if the E202 better the victor after it come back , what does it mean?

does it mean is time to sent the small victor for recap?

Who say kenwood/accuphase can produce more superior audio gear than JVC/victor?

I am all ears.
Click to expand...

Id say if the accuphase comes back sounding better than the JVC, then the JVC needs service. If they were equally aged, then they both need the same attention.

The job on this unit was pretty painless (even with the complete teardown), and the sound is WAY bigger than its ratings suggest.

Like I said before, the A-X9 is a VERY nice integrated amp, but the S44 definitely comes from the same family.
 
I have an AX-7 and after close to 28 years of service, a channel went out!!!:tears:I purchased it new and it has served me well and i love the amp so it's off to the shop unless, some re-capping expert wants to fix it?
The best thing was the input rca's in the front. Great for hooking stuff up on the fly.i'll pick up the matching tuner one of these days.
 
barebones said:
I have an AX-7 and after close to 28 years of service, a channel went out!!!:tears:I purchased it new and it has served me well and i love the amp so it's off to the shop unless, some re-capping expert wants to fix it?
The best thing was the input rca's in the front. Great for hooking stuff up on the fly.i'll pick up the matching tuner one of these days.
Click to expand...

It could be a simple problem that you can fix yourself. Dirty switches cut channels out, and can be cleaned with a spray of contact cleaner. Can you describe the problem, and list where you're located? There are MANY Ak-ers that are willing to help!
 
To our OP, I'd also suggest you solder all those wire-wrapped connections. These tend to oxidize over the decades and I have gotten rid of all sorts of strange little failures this way.

Excellent labor of love in the restoration, too!

Cheers,

David
 
dshoaf said:
To our OP, I'd also suggest you solder all those wire-wrapped connections. These tend to oxidize over the decades and I have gotten rid of all sorts of strange little failures this way.

Excellent labor of love in the restoration, too!

Cheers,

David
Click to expand...

Already done! :thmbsp:

it wasnt hard, just had to use flux to make sure the solder would flow.
 
I am in Vancouver, Canada. There are some local AK'er's. I will give the pots a clean. I just swapped it out for the kenwood KR-5200 for now ....and am playing with the newly acquired Heathkit AA-32 :banana:, so no rush, but i would like to press it back into service again soon. Again a stellar performer from day one.
Nice rebuild on the OP's receiver !!!
 
HI, Nice job indeed. :tresbon: I am new on the forum. I recently buy a JA-S44 and have some questions about the big power supply capacitors. Modern caps didn't match with position of pc board holes, so how did you solve the problem?
I am also wondering if you used two different types of caps to replace the blue caps and orange caps.
 
Hi Marc!

I went a step up in capacitance and voltage when selecting power filter caps. This allowed me to buy "snap in" capacitors that were a direct replacement in terms of fit.

Hope that helps!
 
secondslc said:
Hi Marc!

I went a step up in capacitance and voltage when selecting power filter caps. This allowed me to buy "snap in" capacitors that were a direct replacement in terms of fit.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I just order 2 panasonic ECET1KP123EA 12000µF 80volt 4 pin snap in, a bit too much but they have the same size as the old caps used by JVC.:music:
 
Nothing more fun and rewarding than to resurect an old piece that's been left for dead. You did a great job!
 
looks fantastic! I really like the JVC gear from this era..it certainily goes under the radar amongst most audiophiles..
 
I know this is a rather old thread. I've had one of these since new. I bought it around 1977. Several years ago, it stopped working. I'd like to find some schematic and a service manual. I don't know if these came with them as I cannot put my hands on mine. If someone can point me towards a freebie pdf, I'd appreciate it.
 
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I've just started to think about piecing together a vintage system, and trying to decide whether to recreate MY youth or play with some other components.

This JA-S44 was the first amp I bought out of college in the late seventies, and next to my Mac tuna the piece I most regret selling. Warms my heart to see several folks here enjoying one - I certainly did for a number of years.
 
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