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Sansui 8080 - Should I Recap?

armbrusting

armbrusting

New Member
Hi all!

I have fun tinkering with all sorts of things and have recently been putting that attention on building out a vintage audio set-up. Started when I came across an awesome old Dual 1019 TT, that was in need of some attention. I did a lot there, cleaning up and restoring and it is working great now, such an amazing piece of German over-engineering.

That led me to finally convince my dad to dig through his storage unit and pull out his old, but again in need of some love, 8080. It seemingly came to me in decent shape. There was crackling and spottyness but I spent some time with a can Deoxit and have it sounding good. I do think there is differences is L/R channels, and the Source pot needs a much deeper clean - I can still get a lost channel that is fixed by cycling through the source. I have also replaced all of the lights, including the power meter grain-of-wheats, so my disassembly/ressembly and soldering skills were sufficient for that project. While in there I deep cleaned the front, so she is looking quite pretty, although it still needs some new wood, the old vinyl is peeling something good.

Additionally I have a line on an old pair of JBLs that will need a reform and probably a recap. I ultimately excited for my what I think will end up being a pretty cool little Japanese/German/American set-up.

So here's my question: Is it worth me going through and recapping/restoring the 8080? I think the project sounds like fun, again I love to tinker, but I also don't want to get in over my head. Essentially, is the risk of me screwing something up greater than the reward I would get out of a recap?

Added a photo of the current step-up for fun. (And yes, just seeing that looks like one my new bulbs is bad.)

Thank you for your thoughts!

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armbrusting said:
Is it worth me going through and recapping/restoring the 8080?
Click to expand...
Sure, you just need learn about your unit first... IMHO, more than a recap think about reconditioning, you need to replace some fuse resistors, recap, cleaning, check for offset and bias, and must certainly look which version do you have (some need a service bulletin).
If you have a structured way of thinking, a DMM, and can work one section at the, time you will be good.
Soldering skills and decent tools is a must, since those boards are delicate.
Tell us what level of electronics you have
That's one of the more documented units here, so you will find a lot of information about it.
Check xraytonyb videos about the 9090, is a very similar unit to yours.
 
I have my Dual 1219 playing through my recapped (Stereo Rehab Chicago) Sansui 7070 as I type. Do the recap correctly, you'll love the sound.
 
Thank you all, I think I am going to have to do it. After more listening to the unit this weekend, I am pretty sure my left channel is a little off. I thought it could have been the record player, but tested that theory wrong.

I think I have the patience and attitude to attempt at least. Good soldering iron, DMM, and going to build a dim light. My soldering skills are the open question, but I am of the opinion that it is always worth trying to build new skills. Plus I was able to get those power lights replaced, not the hardest thing in the world, but definitely some tricky angles.

I know parts kits are frowned upon, but I ordered one from qrxrestore.com, it sounds like they have a good reputation for their work, so hoping the parts kit will be solid. And again from their reputation, I am happy to support the business. They were also nice when answering my questions.

I'll go through the other examples here on AK and go through xraytonyb's videos in a more structured way (as well as any other examples), make a plan for going board by board, and give it my best attempt.

I'm sure I'll have some questions so I will post progress either here or another AK thread. Thanks!!
 
Hi all!

My project is still going, slowly but surely. I did a couple boards felt good and was scared to mess it up so left it for a while. Got back to do the rest and ran into an issue. I recapped F-2546 as well as the big main caps, was all good and sounding great. While it was open I went back to a previous recapped F-2543 to replace the BA312. I got that in no problem, but while working on it I broke a wire connecting it to F-2544. I had previously had problems with these wires so I figured I would go in and replace all 5. Fired it back up and she's running, again sounding great. BUT no when change the Source, increase the volume rapidly (I think when it is just to high) my dim bulb flashes and the protector clicks on. Speakers also pop when I power down. While it was open I did throws some Deoxit Fader F5 in the volume and source pots, I thought maybe I used too much and it was still wet, waited overnight and still have the problem. Thinking it is a grounding issue somewhere(?) does that sound right? I checked my soldering and everything looks ok. Any suggestions on how to track the issue down?

Thanks!
 
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