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power amps - Sansui B3000 vs BA-F1

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paul_pw

New Member
hello
I have opportunity to buy one of them (both price ~400$) but I wonder what are sound differences between these two power amps. I prefer more warm, saturated mids and detailed sound, but not too harsh if you know what I mean ;)
Actually I have amps from other brands (old Denon, old Nad) and I bought little Sansui A40 amp (5kg) which sounds just great compared to them, so I wonder how real Sansui can sound :)

ok lets go back only to Sansui...
BA-F1 is nicer, and looks more powerfull - 20kg weight, B3000 only half of it, but its not so much important for me. Most important is how it sounds, maybe someone know both and can write a little about them ? :)

thanks in advance
Paul
 
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The B-3000 is standard rapidly built crap. The BA-F1 is the best Sansui solid state amp ever IMHO. $400 for one in working shape is a steal.
 
paul79 said:
The B-3000 is standard rapidly built crap. The BA-F1 is the best Sansui solid state amp ever IMHO. $400 for one in working shape is a steal.
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I was hoping he meant BA-3000. I would never compare the BA-F1 to a B-3000.

I agree. Do not buy the B-3000. Unless it's $10.

Rob
 
thank you for your replies

unfortunately I got information that transistors in BA-F1 are not oryginal
NMA 1012 / NMC 1012 in one channel has been replaced by Toshiba 2SC5200 / 2SA1943 so its not so nice :( (however I don't have idea will sound be worse or not, or can this bring some other issues in future like possible damage etc), seller tells that amp play exactly same on both channels

price has been lowered to 300$, rest conditions looks very fine (inside too), so what is your advice guys ? what questions should I ask to be sure is this amp still valuable ?
 
Yep...ST Micro has some very fast TO-3 transistors that will bring the 'F1 back to within a gnat's ass of original specs. My concern is that is someone has shoehorned in TO-3P Toshiba's, what other butchering has taken place? None? A lot? Something in-between?
 
ghamilton said:
The replacement transistors are now available. Just ask EW. Get the BA-F1
before it gets away!:yes:
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sorry but who/what is "EW" ? ;)
and what is approx. cost of one pair of transistors (or maybe should I replace both channels) ?
from which country is shipping (I am from Poland) ?
 
EchoWars said:
Yep...ST Micro has some very fast TO-3 transistors that will bring the 'F1 back to within a gnat's ass of original specs. My concern is that is someone has shoehorned in TO-3P Toshiba's, what other butchering has taken place? None? A lot? Something in-between?
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Echo, do you have a link to the TO-3s at ST Micro? I couldn't find their website.
 
The BA-F1 is one of the best sounding SS amps ever built pre-1985, IMO. Others in the same class might be the Accuphase P-300, Kenwood L-07MII, Kenwood 700M, Sansui AU-919, and perhaps the Yamaha CA-1010 or Yamaha B-2.

The problem with all these amps is their age. To fulfill their potential, they need restoring.
 
and I bought this BA-F1
It will arrive to me in few days, I can't wait when I get it :banana:

The problem with all these amps is their age. To fulfill their potential, they need restoring.
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ok can you tell me exactly what should I replace in BA-F1 ? some capacitors ? something more ?
and where can I buy all of this (maybe you have it too) ? :)

at first I would like to buy those oryginal transistors
"NMA 1012 / NMC 1012 in one channel has been replaced by Toshiba 2SC5200 / 2SA1943"
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do you have exactly same or some replacements ? and what is your price for it + international shipping (Poland) ?
 
I'm just a tech...I don't sell parts. And as far as the parts the need replacing, the electrolytic caps and the 'black flag' ceramic caps are what need to be replaced (the black flag ceramics are best replaced with silver mica caps). If the original transistors are present and working, you do not need to worry about replacements. If they have been replaced, then the ST Micro 2ST5949 (NPN) and 2ST2121 (PNP) are good substitutes.

Being in Poland makes sourcing replacement parts difficult, I know. I'd ask over at DIY Audio about parts sources, as there are a number of European members there who might be able to steer you in the right direction.
 
EchoWars said:
The BA-3000 has issues of its own
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Hey Echo, if you feel like sharing these issues, I am all ears. I own a BA-3000 and would like to preempt any of these issues if at all possible.

If these issues have been discussed in another thread I can go elsewhere - don't mean to hijack.

Thanks!
 
You may get better results searching out the AU-20000 threads. Very nearly the same amplifier section as the BA-3K (I think).
 
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