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New to vintage audio - need advice

Audiodad101

Audiodad101

New Member
Greetings, fellow audiophiles,
I am new to this forum and also new to vintage audio. I recently picked up two receivers from Craigslist.
JVC R-S33
Sansui 350A
Pictures attached (if I did it right).
Got them both for $50 total. I think it was a good deal. They both could use a general cleaning; wood is dull with minor scratches, knobs are little stiff, metal is grimy. I figure I can experiment with these without being out a whole lot of $$$.
First of all, are these receiver worthy of the time it'll take to refurbish? I'm anxious to connect my Sansui SP-1200's to the Sansui receiver. Picked up the 1200's at a yard sale for $60. Have to replace one of the sqwaukers, but otherwise in good shape.
Anyways, looking forward to your response.
Thank you!
 

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well you can clean them, but a refurbishment, to return them to flawless operation is working on the insides....are you prepared to go THAT distance?
 
I am willing to try! Makes me nervous,but I'll make sure to go slow and be patient for results.
Are you familiar with these receivers? Which one should I start with?
 
Regarding the bad squawker (also known as a midrange) on your SP1200, don't be tempted to replace it with the incorrect part, it won't sound correct. There is someone selling several on ebay, check item #312209987405.

Pick up a can of Deoxit D5, you can find it on Amazon, or possibly locally. Just spray a little into each control through the center, after removing the knobs, or around the sides of the buttons and switches. For the JVC, you'll want to use Faderlube on the sliders. Deoxit will be fine for the pushbuttons.

After spraying, work each control back and forth or in and out a few times.
 
I am biased towards the Sansui, I also have never heard that JVC. My first “real” stereo was a 350a that my daughter currently uses with some KLH-17s. When working properly they can sound fairly sweet, mine did well with my KG4’s.

35091C83-B05A-443D-86FB-CFFBC44B36DB.jpeg
 
swechsler, that is the exact one i ordered. (came in mail today actually!)
I will pick up the sprays from Amazon too.
 
I believe the 350A has cap coupled outputs, so a load needs to be connected to the speaker terminals to check DC. The JVC is most likely direct coupled and the DC at the speaker terminals should checked with no load.

Not bad for $50.

Rob
 
Audiodad101 said:
Cap-coupled, direct??? Load, no load. Sorry, not following. Also, what devices do i need for such testing.?
Click to expand...

I, for one, understand where you're coming from. I'm not a " tech" either and you'll find that sometimes the answers will go way over your head.
But i can give laymen's terms for load/ no load. For example, when you connect speakers up to your amp/ receiver, you are putting a " load" on the system. So when you turn the volume up, you won't harm the system. Some systems, like my pioneer sx 780, warn not to operate the receiver without speakers connected up, that would be a " no load" situation...
hope this helps....
 
These guys are going over your head even though you mentioned your experience level, or lack of. They could be pals & refer you to appropriate educational forums, so I shall be first. Go to top of this forum, read the idiot's guide to using Deoxit. Then, go to solid state forum, start reading at the top of column. I don't know how to direct-link to things like this, so it's up to your curiosity to seek & find. Btw, great haul for $50!:thumbsup:
 
@Audiodad101 here is the freshened up 350a and KLH-17s just before I moved. Doesn't sound its best but the empty room is crap acoustically, also its just free Spotify straight from a Fire tablet.

 
jlh3rd said:
I, for one, understand where you're coming from. I'm not a " tech" either and you'll find that sometimes the answers will go way over your head.
But i can give laymen's terms for load/ no load. For example, when you connect speakers up to your amp/ receiver, you are putting a " load" on the system. So when you turn the volume up, you won't harm the system. Some systems, like my pioneer sx 780, warn not to operate the receiver without speakers connected up, that would be a " no load" situation...
hope this helps....
Click to expand...
Yes, that makes perfect sense! Thanks...
 
Catmanboo said:
These guys are going over your head even though you mentioned your experience level, or lack of. They could be pals & refer you to appropriate educational forums, so I shall be first. Go to top of this forum, read the idiot's guide to using Deoxit. Then, go to solid state forum, start reading at the top of column. I don't know how to direct-link to things like this, so it's up to your curiosity to seek & find. Btw, great haul for $50!:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, much appreciated. I have to take baby steps.
But I am still wondering if there's any special tools or meters, etc. I need before opening them up. I don't have a lot of room to work and hate to leave things in pieces for too long. I did find the service manuals online but it's a little overwhelming to look at.
BTW, I'm waiting to be gifted a clean Pioneer QX-8000A! Can't wait!
 
Audiodad101 said:
Love it! Could you please tell me what you mean by "freshened up"? How much work did you put into it?
Click to expand...

I cleaned all the switches and pots as has been mentioned. Had to replace 4 or 5 transistors in the pre-amp section (couple in the right channel and a couple in the phono section). Changed a couple bad caps, checked alignments and adjusted as needed. This was a pristine unit that has been in the family since new and used all the time.
 
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