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Sansui AU-517 Restoration Complete w/pics

J

jonah1979

New Member
Thought I'd post some details from my first Sansui restoration. I found an AU-517 on eBay and proceeded to go through it, following suggestions and help from many members in Exclusively Sansui Forum. Here are some pics and a brief description.

I went through and cleaned everything (contacts, case etc.) and replaced all electrolytic caps on all boards with Panasonic FC, Nichicon Muse in the PSU and Elna Silmic for the audio path. The big caps are Nichicon Gold Tone with Mundorf MKP bypass caps. Replaced the fusible resistors with PRP wire wounds, the VD1212 diodes and a couple of transistors that were misbehaving on the L and R channel boards. Also, put in new Bourns trim pots for Bias and Offset.


While I was waiting for parts, I replaced some of the internal chassis wire with Kimber hookup wire. Also removed the older speaker connectors and laser cut some acrylic sheet so that I could mount some proper speaker posts. I was able to do it in such a way as to avoid extra hardware and drilling of the chassis.

Finally, I added a Panasonic hospital grade edison plug on the end of some Oyaide three conductor mains cable. Grounded to chassis.

All in all, this amp sounds great. Thanks so much for everyones help along the way. Next on my list is the matching tuner!!

Jonah
 

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Excellent job! - Good choice of replacement cap's - more pix please!

While I was waiting for parts, I replaced some of the internal chassis wire with Kimber hookup wire. Also removed the older speaker connectors and laser cut some acrylic sheet so that I could mount some proper speaker posts. I was able to do it in such a way as to avoid extra hardware and drilling of the chassis.
Click to expand...
Please could you post more details on your speaker terminals mod :yes: - and some close up pix too
 
Very nice! Congratulations on the restoration, great to see another 517 ready for many more years listening pleasure.

Cheers

John
 
Binding Post Detail

Thanks for the kind words!!

Here's a quick drawing of the speaker binding post plates. Basically, I laser cut two identical pieces of .125" black acrylic and acrylic spacer with the same dimensions as the punched opening on the back of the amp. Not sure of the exact spacer thickness but it is slightly thinner than the sheet metal on the amp. I then assembled the sandwich with the binding posts passing through all three pieces of acrylic. Once the nuts are tightened from the inside, the posts lock everything together. It's critical that the spacer is cut to the exact dimensions of the opening, so that there is no play.

Even though I enlarged the case opening for the AC cable, I am happy with how the binding posts came out, with no visible hardware and no more drilling.
 

Attachments

jonah1979 - Thanks for the excellent drawing and explanation - Now to find someone to machine me some on this side of the pond!
 
Gorgeous restoration. I too just finished an AU517. I also gave it the royal treatment (caps, trim pots, zeners, fusibles, some resistors, relay, a few transistors, you name it), replaced probably close to 120 pieces. I did Nichicon KG and Elna Silmic II throughout.

Mine took FOREVER because I was having a horrible time troubleshooting the unit. Someone had been in there before an swapped a pair of wires going to the outputs so the unit wouldn't bias up. For the life of me I couldn't figure it out so I sent it to BKtheKing to troubleshoot. It's all fixed up now.

I LOVE this unit. It's gorgeous and sounds beautiful. Enjoy it! They don't get much better than this as far as I'm concerned.
 
endervox said:
I LOVE this unit. It's gorgeous and sounds beautiful. Enjoy it! They don't get much better than this as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

Im with you! So GOOOD. I have a chance to pick another AU-517 up. Might get it and fix it up as a gift for my brother's graduation. Def worth the effort. Almost feel like I owe it to someone to fix them up. Weird.

On the lookout for the matching tuner... assembling my dream system from 1978!
 
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