Sansui 1000a restoration advice

[thedudedigs]

I got a fully functional sansui1000a a couple of years ago. It's in great shape, but has never been serviced. Every knob turn is scratchy and although it plays, I don't really want to even plug it in with all those old caps waiting to crap out (it being of the ancient tube sort of gear). After all this time, I'm starting to think I should just pay someone to recap/service the thing or else it might never get done. I've recapped exactly one set of speakers, and that's the extent of my soldering experience, so I'm probably biting off more than I can chew anyway. Anybody know anyone who does this kind of restoration around central Arkansas? There are around 160 caps in that thing.

On a related note, I've been reading about 300+ hour "burn in" times for new caps before they start sounding good. I'm not sure if I'll play my stereo for 300 hours in the next decade. (I only get to listen to my stereo when my wife is out of the house). So will my recap efforts make my stereo sound worse for the next 15 years or so?

If I do the recap myself, I'm just planning on buying all 160 caps (Russian military caps) and doing 3 or 4 per day for the next couple of months.

Anyone with any experience with these things, feel free to chime in, your advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Felvis]

"I feel ya" I've been sitting on the same model for years. I'm planning on sending to a pro as well, as I keep hearing good things about the 1000A.

 

[Soundphile]

300+ hours??? Nah ... It'll be a lot quicker. You'll live to see the caps break in.

 

[Big Harry]

I recapped my 1000A several years ago and I don't remember any sort of long break in period. I did however re check the output tube bias and balance after about 20 hours of service.

 

[thedudedigs]

I recapped my 1000A several years ago and I don't remember any sort of long break in period. I did however re check the output tube bias and balance after about 20 hours of service.

Did it sound bad at first and get progressively better afterward? Do you remember what kind of caps you used? Did you do it yourself?

 

[Old Guy8]

thedude,
There are many on AK who have rebuilt 1000a's and have a wealth of knowledge. You might reach more of them if you post in the tube or Sansui sections. I have a 1000a which is yet to be rebuilt. Try a search Sansui 1000a or 1000a rebuild. I will be following your post. Welcome to AK.

 

[Big Harry]

My 1000A sounded good right after the recapping job. I did the work myself using Sprague 715P orange drop caps. I don't necessarily buy into the theory that parts like caps and resistors need a break in period to sound better or that the expensive boutique caps sound better than the 715P or 716P orange drops which are reasonably priced.

 

[thedudedigs]

My 1000A sounded good right after the recapping job. I did the work myself using Sprague 715P orange drop caps. I don't necessarily buy into the theory that parts like caps and resistors need a break in period to sound better or that the expensive boutique caps sound better than the 715P or 716P orange drops which are reasonably priced.

Thanks man