My SA-8800 came today - with a new theory on packing design....

[dew042]

In a new packing twist - the seller used what I refer to as the "rolled box method." Its a new one I haven't seen yet. Basically you wrap the amp in one layer of bubble wrap and then wrap a broken down box around it. Fairly effective, but the volume knob arrived bent down. Appears functional with a few cosemetic issues. Case needs a new veneer job, and the face has a substanial mark on it.

So I need suggestions.

Its missing one of the spring loaded speaker releases and one of the selector knobs is not original... Any idea of where I could find replacements? Should I just forget about repairinng the speaker jacks and put in "the real thing" as echowars puts it - banana plugs?

Finally - have you ever had to straighten a volume knob spindle? I am a bit wary since its substantial.

Thanks, and for the record I don't have my digicam right now so this thread is overall "worthless"

dew.

 

[agger]

Hmm, I dont think you would get a bent volume axle back to center. But you can try.
For the speaker connectors, just use the "B" if the "A" is not OK, or do the rework to a good new banana plug connector. But then it's no longer original.
What did you pay for it? I think the next SA-8800 in Germany will go for about $200 (good condition, but without woody case)

 

[foetusized]

I got a Pioneer DT-510 packaged that way once, except they used about 20 feet off a roll of bubble wrap with the big bubbles, ended up with about 4 layers. Worked well, but then a timer is smaller and lighter than an integrated amp.

 

[dew042]

Its was $150 with shipping. I knew it was a bit rough, but from the pictures and description I had no idea about the mismatched selctor knob and the missing button. The pic does show that the volume knob appeared fine.

I love this gear, but it can be such a project with multiple fronts to fight on. Is this my baby, or is it something that need to go back to the bay?

The fundemental design of the packing was okay in that is immobolized the back and forth motion -- it just needed about 4 more layers of bubble wrap.

dew

 

[technut]

I have had pretty good luck straghtening bent shafts you just have to be careful, I would pull the face plate and the scale disk so you can grip it close to the volume pot as possible. Use something with wide jaws like a pair of lineman's pliers. The part# of the volume control itself is ACW-113 and whole assembly is GWX-243 I don't know if you would have any luck finding one though. Keep in mind the knob is attached with metric allen head set screws, you will need a set of metric allen wrenches to remove it.

See the attached scans for info on how to take it apart. Excuse the quality but I had to reduce the size for the audiokarma server to take them. I can e-mail the orignal scan to you if you want.

 

[Mark W.]

Depending on how it is bent you may be able to use a pair of vise grips to apply pressure as they clamp to straighten out the bend rather then trying to lever it back straight Depending on where the bend is you might also be able to use a Bench vise but that would require removing the pot from the chassis.

 

[Strawman]

Also, if the pot is slotted, put something the same thickness in the slot so you don't crush them together.

 

[Mark W.]

Good point Strawman I hadn't thought of that a piece od table backing cardboard should work.

I managed to straighten the tuning shaft on my SX-650 buy using a Vise grip but it had a more gentle type bend so I actually had to bend it back the way it was pushed. I di it a tiny bit at a time and got lucky being that shaft is Brass it's safer then a Pot with (I'm guessing) aluminum for the shaft.

 

[Strawman]

Yup, Al-u-minium will snap.

 

[ManFromPorlock]

With a slotted shaft, it may be that one side of the shaft is still true and only the other side is bent. I had luck with straightening the bent half on an SX-950 shaft by pushing it very gently out away from the straight half with a screwdriver blade until the slot separating them was the same width all along its length. Push VERY gently, though; you're inviting the bent side, which has already been stressed at the base of the slot, to break.

 

[dew042]

Well, I finally got to looking at it and I got the shaft nearly straight again. The metal underneath is gouged. Cleaned her up, deoxited it and it sounds okay. I think this one might be a loss, just go back to ebay since its not the best cosmetically, and the missing/broken parts.

Now I need a correct selector to replace the sx series one that's on here, and a set of speaker terminals -- anyone got one they'd give some parts off of? If I could get those I would consider futher restoration. I'm vain, what can I say?

I contacted the seller about his omissions in the auction, but I have little hope. Oh well, you win some of the time.


dew.

 

[packrat]

Would any parts from the 8800 interchange with an SA-9800? i.e does it have the same controls to swap with, and knobs, etc?

 

[dew042]

Would any parts from the 8800 interchange with an SA-9800? i.e does it have the same controls to swap with, and knobs, etc?

Yes - most of the selector knobs are the same from sa-5800/6800/7800/8800/9800. There's two sizes, ones about 3/4", a larger one at about an 1" and then the large volume knob. Looks like the big volume knob is the same from the 9800 to the 8800...

dew.