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Sansui 1000A or Eico ST-70?

Canuck57

Canuck57

Active Member
Hi this is my first post here. I'm looking at my first tube amp/receiver and would like some advice. I have an opportunity to buy a Sansui 1000A, Eico ST-70 or Eico ST-40. I have a variety of speakers some of which have high sensisity i.e., Klipsch Forte, Cerwin Vega D3 & D5.

What are your thoughts. I'd appreciate any and all advice?

Thanks in advance.
 
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welcome o ak Canuck7,

From what I heave heard Eico tube amps are well respected, have excellent build quality and a smooth sound. I used to own a 1000a, and there are other members who have one as well. I loved my 1000a. It was a stout 40wpc, had a good tuner, and had that bitchin silver face. It was a space heater and could easily heat a room in the house in the winter.

If you are thinking about using those CVs, make sure they are 8 ohm or higher. unless the output transformers on the Eico have 4 ohm taps don't bother connecting them or you will damage the output transformers. THe 1000a only suports 8 or 16 ohm speakers.
 
Well, the earlier EICO stuff is wonderful, especially in terms of the output iron. I have virtually zero experience with the ST-70 and ST-40, though. I would think the ST-40 might be the better way to go; since both amps use 7591's for the outputs, it's probably safe to assume that the ST-40 runs 'em more gently.

I happen to have a 1000A, but I really haven't done anything with it yet. These are not held in particularly high regard by the tube gurus, BUT... the output transformers in 'em are apparently quite good. Urban legend (?) states that they were made for Sansui by Tamura. I am not 100% sure that's the case. In this part of the world, old 1000A's are bought and stripped of their 7591's and output transformers! :-O
 
I just picked up an Eico ST-70. Built like a tank! I haven't fired it up yet, I'm waiting for a variac to get here. The output and power iron are WAY bigger than a Dynaco ST-70. Looks promising!
 
I have a couple 1000a's and I believe they are an excellent way to get started with tubes. Fairly robust output, great tuning section, nice silver face and the very important rca center speaker out for use with a powered sub. One of my 1000a's has been recapped and retubed; big difference. Didn't understand "tubelike sound" till this work was done. The other one has problems. I haven't heard the eico units you speak of. Good luck in your selection as it seems you have a few fine units to choose from.
 
Squidward said:
I just picked up an Eico ST-70. Built like a tank! I haven't fired it up yet, I'm waiting for a variac to get here. The output and power iron are WAY bigger than a Dynaco ST-70. Looks promising!
Click to expand...

Squid, I've got a couple ST-40s with issues that I'm looking to get going. Once you start messing with yours let me know and maybe we can trade notes. FWIW, the chassis look to be the same and there is an Eico group on Yahoo, plus schematics and manuals available online; so there's plenty of support to be had.
 
If your good with an iron...

Canuck57 said:
Hi this is my first post here. I'm looking at my first tube amp/receiver and would like some advice. I have an opportunity to buy a Sansui 1000A, Eico ST-70 or Eico ST-40. I have a variety of speakers some of which have high sensisity i.e., Klipsch Forte, Cerwin Vega D3 & D5.

What are your thoughts. I'd appreciate any and all advice?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I have only experience with the 1000A, great sound! :banana: (The "tube guru's" may have 'moved on' to bigger and better things, but I'm happy!) :thmbsp:

If repairing\recapping or other work needs to be done, the amps may be a better choice for a starter unit, as the 1000A has more parts in it that support a receiver functions, and tends to run hot if not modified.

You really can't make a bad choice here, if all are recapped and working (The Sansui MUST have it's 'oil' caps replaced from the get go)

Mark T. :music:
 
Thanks for all the great advice. I guess I can't go wrong with either. I'm leaning toward the Eico ST-70 at this point. It's been totally checked over by a "tube guy," the tubes were tested and all of the capacitors replaced. It's about $100 more than the Sansui 100A but that would cover the cost of the work that's been done on it. I want whatever I get to be plug-n-play. Too bad it's so butt ugly! I guess I could always buy both! :D
 
jpdylon said:
welcome o ak Canuck7,

If you are thinking about using those CVs, make sure they are 8 ohm or higher. unless the output transformers on the Eico have 4 ohm taps don't bother connecting them or you will damage the output transformers. THe 1000a only suports 8 or 16 ohm speakers.
Click to expand...

The CVs are both 8 ohm so I'm okay in that respect....
 
If you can swing it, I would buy both. I really enjoy my 1000A, and have no experience with the Eico. Give them both an extended listen and decide if one of them needs a new home. You might just decide to keep both.

Good luck and enjoy!
 
Canuck57 said:
Thanks for all the great advice. I guess I can't go wrong with either. I'm leaning toward the Eico ST-70 at this point. It's been totally checked over by a "tube guy," the tubes were tested and all of the capacitors replaced. It's about $100 more than the Sansui 100A but that would cover the cost of the work that's been done on it. I want whatever I get to be plug-n-play. Too bad it's so butt ugly! I guess I could always buy both! :D
Click to expand...

Hey Canuck57, you just answered your own question (allmost). Buy all three! :banana: Once you get your first tube rig going, you will need one in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, garage, basement, etc..... I saw a post a couple days ago where an AK was putting together a "hallway" system. :scratch2: Good luck with whatever you get, :thmbsp: Jay
 
jaymanaa said:
Hey Canuck57, you just answered your own question (allmost). Buy all three! :banana: Once you get your first tube rig going, you will need one in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, garage, basement, etc..... I saw a post a couple days ago where an AK was putting together a "hallway" system. :scratch2: Good luck with whatever you get, :thmbsp: Jay
Click to expand...

I'm not that nuts...yet...of course I do have 8 amps/receivers, way more speakers than I need, 10 pair of headphones, 5 headphone amps including a tube headphone amp...on second thoguth maybe I am!
 
My $.02, I love EICO gear & the output transformers are terrific. Most of them had pretty spacious internal chassis so repairs, mods, & general tweaking are easy to do.
 
Most of them had pretty spacious internal chassis...
Click to expand...
Which was not generally the case for the early/mid-1960's Japanese tube hi-fi equipment :-(

I had to use itty-bitty Panasonic coupling caps to fit in the meagre space available in a friends Knight/Allied 333 receiver (aka Pioneer SX-34).

Here's a before photo:
Knight333underneath.jpg


I must admit, I haven't looked at the innards of the 1000A, but everything I've read suggests they're a tight squeeze below decks.
 
I built an Eico ST-70 in the late 60’s (and screwed it up. Two months later when comparing channels I discovered a feedback line in the right channel was connected to any empty pin … Oh well. If you find a blob of solder on an empty pin … well …).


Anyhow, my impression of the Eico is it will keep you warm on those bitter cold winter nights. I still remember how hot the output transformers would get.

My only complaint was I never felt the bass was solid. If I had one today, I’d use it in a bi-amp for the mids and tweeters. The ST-70 will really sing out those mid and high frequencies.

Regards,
Jerry
 
Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it very much! I've decided on the Eico ST-70...I should get it in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know my impressions of it...
 
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