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Recieved a Spec stack as a gift...should it be serviced?

Z

zulks

New Member
Hey Pioneer fans,

For a long time I had a great SA-8100 until it blew a channel when I was moving across the country and didn't want to bring it...but now I am the lucky recipient of a full spec stack from my wife's uncle. 10 years ago I joked that he should call me if he ever wanted to get rid of it, and it finally happened!

Although it hasn't likely seen action for 20 years, it was kept in a clean, climate-controlled house. From what I can tell, most everything is working well. There are some weird channel dropping issues at certain points on the volume knob of the Spec-1, and the belts on the tape deck are shot, but so far that's it.

Given that it's 100% original components, should I look into having at least the Preamp/Amp serviced or recapped?

Also, he has the Spec-4 on the bottom of the rack, but the instructions for the rack itself show the amp placed above the tape decks, should I make that change to protect them from heat damage?

I'm very new to all this! Thanks!
 

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GAWD! I should be so lucky! Great Uncle you have. As for the stack, If it's never seen a shop and even if it has, YES they should be serviced or at the least gone over and checked. Caps degrade no matter whether they are used or not. The Silicon grease on the output transistors dries out and degrades. IMO the amp should be on the top of the stack, as it gives off the most heat. It's not to protect the other gear, it's to keep retained heat in the amp at a safe and sane level. If the stack prevents a 2" space between the amp and the next higher shelf, then a small fan should be used at the amp.

Top to bottom. Amp, Preamp, Tuner, R2R, Cassette. You can swap the R2R and cassette. Or swap the R2R with the tuner, but keep the AMP and PREAMP on the top two spots. It won't hurt the turntable.

Larry
 
Short answer yes I would have it serviced starting with the preamp and amp. As for ventilation the more free space for heat to escape the better. I would think you are of keeping this for the long haul so I would make sure a excellent tech does the restore to original specifications for you. Very nice system you have and after being brought up to snuff it should give you years of trouble free operation, Enjoy
:rockon:
 
Thanks guys! I'll start looking around for a good tech in NYC. Something like this deserves the investment for sure.
 
It ain't going to be cheap to have an experienced tech re-furbished this set-up. If you do, I'd suggest that you help out and purchase all the necessary parts to supply the tech, all the necessary documentation to go along with them.
 
If the grill cuts at the top rear are unobstructed (unit directly above is less deep), you should be fine. If not, you will want 2" of open space above the amp. If you have a less deep component (not a tape deck), rearrange to have that one just above the amp.

Some restoration will likely be needed for each piece. The depth of the restoration (relates to cost), and skill of the tech, will be factors to consider.

Good luck, and nice acquisition,
Rich P
 
Thanks Rich...follow up question: when wiring the speakers, Pat was sending the amp power back through the Spec-1 through the A/B controller. Since I only have one set of speakers, is there any advantage to wiring them directly to the Spec-4 instead?
 
Very nice & congratulations on your good fortune.

As far as the speaker wiring goes, I'd just continue to use it has it had been. It is also possible this arrangement necessary in order to use headphones.
 
rcs16 said:
It ain't going to be cheap to have an experienced tech re-furbished this set-up. If you do, I'd suggest that you help out and purchase all the necessary parts to supply the tech, all the necessary documentation to go along with them.
Click to expand...

Many techs hate this, I would.

If the tech is responsible for the proper function, he will want to have control of the components. I would ask the tech first.
 
zulks said:
Thanks Rich...follow up question: when wiring the speakers, Pat was sending the amp power back through the Spec-1 through the A/B controller. Since I only have one set of speakers, is there any advantage to wiring them directly to the Spec-4 instead?
Click to expand...
The SPEC-1 has the ability to switch speakers on and off. Also, the SPEC 1 may apply a power-up delay (I don't remember), before turning on the speakers, allowing for system stability.

You might have call to turn the speakers off, such as when listening via headphones, or for some other purpose.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
Look it's probably beyond help. Best send it to me and I'll send you a nice BPC system from the 90s instead?

Seriously, awesome scroe! Buy your uncle some very expensive scotch. :)
 
Many techs hate this, I would.
If the tech is responsible for the proper function, he will want to have control of the components. I would ask the tech first.
I am a tech(EE) and if someone did their homework, gave me all the parts in sealed Mouser bags, I'd say "right on", saves me the bother and time involved.
It takes one hell of a lot of time=money to sort thu all the design documentation to come up with subs for a Mouser(supplier) BOM. that is the beauty of AK, a lot of the donkey work has been done by the generous contributors.

Now if I was a greedy tech/shop who wanted to soak the customer, I'd do as you suggest :) such as the authorized Pioneer repair shop, but we know where they are these days, out of business, or won't touch your gear, it is too old, they want you to buy a new one.

pustelniakr said:
The SPEC-1 has the ability to switch speakers on and off. Also, the SPEC 1 may apply a power-up delay (I don't remember), before turning on the speakers,
Click to expand...
That's how it works, nice feature.

Buy your uncle some very expensive scotch.
Click to expand...
Yuck, how about a gift card at the liquor/beer store :-)
 
He's an IPA man, so I'm going to source some Pliny the Elder from my brother when he's comes back from SF for the holidays ;)
 
I understand your point RCS, but what about getting half-way through and finding parts that you know aren't correct, or finding that there are some missing parts, ... ? There isn't much money in restoring old electronics, and it's not like a tech will make a killing marking up $120 in parts, but if I don't know why parts are substituted I will have to look up the datasheets myself and trace the schematic myself to see how they're used and if correct substitutions have been used.

If I'm working on your stuff, it's my reputation and I will need to stand behind the work so I will want to make the choices.

I think that our different viewpoints show why I would ask the tech first.
 
As a vintage audio restorer, I have a specified minimum I will take on. If such has been previously done, I will want to redo it, with parts I sourced. With shipping as expensive and risky as it is, I do not want to have to eat a return trip. Hence I want to make sure that the unit is done, and to my standards. The only parts I will take from a client are parts that they have been tasked to obtain from parts units.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
I can see both sides of the issue with customer supplied parts. Guess it would depend on the customer and the situation for me.
 
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