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Sansui 1000A possibly my first full tube reciever What's should I offer?

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
Got a possible first full tube unit! I've been offered a Sansui 1000A tube receiver while garage saleing. He wants $200. We will get togther when he gets it set up with some speakers. Has not been run in over 20 years. I'm no tube expert. Told him I read here it can be chancy full power starting long stored tube amps. Use Variac? To soft start it.
Don't yet know condition, if it works etc. What thould I offer range for condition?
Thanks
Old Guy
 
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Just give him $200. No 1000A is worth less than that unless it's missing big pieces or is a mass of rust.
 
EastPoint said:
Just give him $200. No 1000A is worth less than that unless it's missing big pieces or is a mass of rust.
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Eastpoint,
Thanks. Guess good chance I'll have a new tube amp, this week. Then do some maintenace updates.
thanks again,
Old Guy
 
It'll need a lot of work--they all do. Once you get it, post a thread in the Tube Audio forum before you turn it on or start doing work.
 
EastPoint said:
It'll need a lot of work--they all do. Once you get it, post a thread in the Tube Audio forum before you turn it on or start doing work.
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Should I tell the owner not to turn it on. Just buy it as is. Then post in Tubes for what to do before first start up?
 
That receiver uses a lot of Suzuki oil caps that are usually all bad. I would not power up without a dim bulb and a variac. I didn't power up mine until I fully recapped it, except the electrolytic cans which still test OK and do not get warm although I should change them out also. The phono preamp is solid state BTW. It's a very nice receiver but kinda strange in that it uses regular tubes, 2 nuvistors, and some transistors in the phono preamp.
 
What I have heard is that the 1000A is famous for blowing up its transformers, both power and output. That's why I would recommend having the Tube Forum experts walk you through it, and not powering it up before then. Caps and tubes are easy, but transformers are hard.
 
The transformers blow because of other issues, a high percentage of which have to do with bad caps. They are great transformers, often gutted and used in high quality homemade tube gear. Change the caps, at least the PS and output ones, before powering up. I'd change all the paper, oil, and electroylic caps as you are going to have to do it eventually anyway.
 
I left a voicemail with the owner, suggesting he should not start it up. That I would see it without running it. From EastPoints price comment and sale prices on that site, it seams a good price. Leaves budget room for needed work.
Retired tool designer here. Mechanical familiar with, but electrical not somuch. Could be a challenge, for me. I've repaired speaker crossovers. I replaced lamps in a70's Sony amp. They did't work. May have been a power supply issue. Didn't know where to proceed from there
Thanks for all the suggestions and info. AK members are always there to help.
I have a Thorens rebuild and Pioneer amp mechanical repair projects in front of it. Love having a lot of projects.
 
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Seconding don't run it! 1000As can be a pain to work on...pretty cramped underneath. Patience and a steady hand are needed.
 
So when I get a look at the unit, at the sellers house, what should I be looking for inside the cover? Obviously, any smoked components, melted wires, corrosion. Anything specific outside missing major components and rust that should be warning to walk away?
Thanks again
 
You've got a good priced amp --working or not . Give him the money and split. I love my 1000A. Notice our avatars.
 
mech986 said:
Any update on your purchase?
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Have not yet heard back from him. Should today or tomorrow. I suggested to him, not to turn it on.
When I was garage saling in a neighborhood I told a few people I was looking for 70's stereo stuff, like lurking in thier basements. He and his wife tracked me down in their car. Damedest thing, him comming after me to sell me a tube amp. Cash Is ready in my wallet.
Woke up early this morning. Brain preoccupied with some speakers I ran into, but did not get because I told them what they had. Should have kept mouth shut and just put money on the table.
 
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electronohn said:
Seconding don't run it! 1000As can be a pain to work on...pretty cramped underneath. Patience and a steady hand are needed.
Click to expand...
Seen pics of the insides of the amp. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. Have not not got it yet. Will decide if I'll tackle it or bit bullet and hire out recapping. There is a local shop with good rep. I bought a TT from him.
 
You're on the right track here.

Regarding the restoration, I restored a 500A with help from here. I would post in the Sansui forum instead of the tube forum, we have some great Sansui experts here, ones who have worked on that model before.

The comments regarding it being cramped are right. It's a mess of wiring underneath there so take your time. I took a month to do the whole thing. The best advice I can give you is do a little bit at a time - take frequent breaks from it and you'll come out of it enjoying the process.
 
Writing this for second time. Site issues.
I picked up amp from original owner. He purchased in Okinawa, 1966. Paid his asking price, $200. He was aware of going rates for working units.
Will post in Sansui prior to any work. Has not been started in 20-25 years. Oxidation on everything. Rust on screws. Will attach a few pics.
Came with manual and drawing for mounting.
Will try to add pics again.
Thanks again for info and encouragement.
 

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One more question. I have previous tube exposure with a Rogue hybride amp with just two preamp tubes. How do you deal with 17 tubes without a tube tester?
 
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