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Sansui AS-100 speaker recap - step by step

maxhifi said:
That just looks like brown glue versus clear glue. Unfortunately looking at a cap doesn't tell you a lot about its electrical condition.
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I didn't think it was adhesive because the glue holding the cap to the board wasn't brown. I suspect it was tape residue. You are right about the condition of the cap not telling the story of whether it is in spec or not, but I think it's rare to find a 40+ year old cap that is still measuring at proper value.
 
Hey, I'm the sorry one. I'd love to have the opportunity to learn the re-capping techniques without attempting it myself and destroying the crossovers.
I think I could handle it on the AS-100's, but the AS-200's get pretty tight in there.

Mine have pretty decent veneer with the exception of the tops, which look like somebody "keyed" them deliberately.
 
Reviving my old thread. I’ve given the AS-100’s a rest for several months, but I put them in service today to sound test a newly-acquired Sansui R-99Z receiver. The receiver was given to me by a coworker who’s mom was moving and had no use for it. Clearly not on par with Sansui’s vintage equipment, but for a 30 watt unit from 1981, it does not sound bad! But I digress.
The reason I’ve posted here again is to sing the praises of the AS-100’s. Absolutely phenomenal bookshelf speakers! I’ve sold many pieces of my audio collection, but these speakers will have to be pried from my cold, dead hands. I’d put them up against any speaker of comparable size. If you see a pair, DO NOT hesitate to grab them. After a recap, you will almost certainly have a new favorite. Exceptional build quality, solid drivers, and wonderful vintage looks. Big soundstage, smooth but detailed high end, and accurate bass in a sealed cabinet.
On a side note, I bought this Sony vertical CD player (CMT-EX1) at the suggestion of another AK member, and I really like the sound and small footprint.
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Airjmax said:
Reviving my old thread. I’ve given the AS-100’s a rest for several months, but I put them in service today to sound test a newly-acquired Sansui R-99Z receiver. The receiver was given to me by a coworker who’s mom was moving and had no use for it. Clearly not on par with Sansui’s vintage equipment, but for a 30 watt unit from 1981, it does not sound bad! But I digress.
The reason I’ve posted here again is to sing the praises of the AS-100’s. Absolutely phenomenal bookshelf speakers! I’ve sold many pieces of my audio collection, but these speakers will have to be pried from my cold, dead hands. I’d put them up against any speaker of comparable size. If you see a pair, DO NOT hesitate to grab them. After a recap, you will almost certainly have a new favorite. Exceptional build quality, solid drivers, and wonderful vintage looks. Big soundstage, smooth but detailed high end, and accurate bass in a sealed cabinet.
On a side note, I bought this Sony vertical CD player (CMT-EX1) at the suggestion of another AK member, and I really like the sound and small footprint.
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The legend continues!!
Sansui AS speakers remain the best kept secret in audio.
Still loving my AS-200's a year and a half into ownership. Haven't touched the caps and I'm still blown away by them. The only thing I've done with them is that I moved them to the other side of the room so they could sit with the rig.
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Delmarva said:
The legend continues!! Sansui AS speakers remain the best kept secret in audio.
Still loving my AS-200's a year and a half into ownership. Haven't touched the caps and I'm still blown away by them. The only thing I've done with them is that I moved them to the other side of the room so they could sit with the rig.
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The AS, acoustic suspension, series of speakers does remain one the most absolutely unknown speakers in audio.

They sound 'wonderful' indeed.
 
bluesky said:
The AS, acoustic suspension, series of speakers does remain one the most absolutely unknown speakers in audio.

They sound 'wonderful' indeed.
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Very true.
My friend @Dr. Zen just rediscovered his stored set of AS-100's after having restored a Sansui 7070 receiver this Winter. He's telling me that he's absolutely blown away by the 100's.
I directed him to this outstanding page for recapping info.
 
Airjmax, had a pair of AS-100s pass through audio arsenal a decade or so ago. Bypassed tweeter volume control, & replaced stock tweet crossover caps with NTE 4.7 uf metal films (from late, lamented Metro Electronics). Stock internal wiring was surprisingly stout, & left alone. Still sounding magical up in Nevada City, powered by Rotel RX-602 amplification. Which is a polite soundin' pup, but growls with alnico 'tude through those 100s. Astounding home theatre presentation, too. 73s para Sactown
 
FRG7SWL said:
Airjmax, had a pair of AS-100s pass through audio arsenal a decade or so ago. Bypassed tweeter volume control, & replaced stock tweet crossover caps with NTE 4.7 uf metal films (from late, lamented Metro Electronics). Stock internal wiring was surprisingly stout, & left alone. Still sounding magical up in Nevada City, powered by Rotel RX-602 amplification. Which is a polite soundin' pup, but growls with alnico 'tude through those 100s. Astounding home theatre presentation, too. 73s para Sactown
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We should delete this entire thread so these gems remain a secret. I've only seen glowing reviews from people that have owned them. So many speakers have passed through my hands in the last four years or so, but the AS-100's are permanent residents!
 
These just came up for sale locally. Has anyone ever seen a pair with dark grill cloth? A Google image search turned up only the beige version.
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Airjmax - I'd guess those were recovered with some period correct type grille cloth. A number of outfits online offering grill cloth in 60's and 70's style patterns now, as well as color matched types for particular popular speakers like JBL orange.

And now you guys have me contemplating a set of AS series. Just what I needed, more speakers.
 
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Delmarva said:
The good news is that I think my bone stock original AS-200's sound great! Here they are the day I brought them home from the thrift shop last Fall. The $10.00 price tag still taped to the side.
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Most excellent!

Got my minty AS-100s from the Goodwill for $9.98 as well! :)

Bought 1 spare AS-100 for spare parts 'if ever needed' off of eBay.

Also bought a pair of Sansui 'Reference' L-100 speaker stands for them. The speakers sit on the stands really nice - a good 'match & fit', very slight overhang. Really heavy stands too and the center post is hollow so it can be filled with even MORE weight if you so desire to make them 'heavy beyond belief'!! :thumbsup:. (Stands were made for Sansui SP-100i speakers)


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