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Sansui AU-919 Black Flag Capacitors, Some help please

LWB said:
Without knowing what you paid, it's possible that you did OK, because an unmolested original is still a worthy amp to obtain - but not to use in its original state. Make no mistake, it needs to be completely, knowledgeably refurbished with new caps and such. Now you have an idea of what that will cost. Finding someone to do the job is not a trivial task. Be careful to find a good tech.
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How much would someone pay for a untouched 919 nowadays? What would you pay?
 
I'll stick my neck out and say "for repair" or unrestored AU-919 on ebay (with the three the search called up recently) looks maybe about US$750 US - $1,000. Let's see what other AK's think!
 
Hyperion said:
Yes, their failure can lead to the amplifier becoming unstable, when that happens other components such as output transistors can be damaged or destroyed, and original replacements are extremely hard to come by.

Just to give you an idea of what's involved, I happen to be reconditioning an example of the Japanese Domestic model of the AU-919, called the AU-D907 right now and illustrating the process here on AK, there are several older threads illustrating the same process,
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/au-d907-for-restoration.980756/

Update: @sjackh
Here is a link to the thread which is now regarded (by me at least), as the 'Gold Standard' for AU-919 restores by AK member Leestereo.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ration-and-upgrade-of-a-sansui-au-919.698011/
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I just saw the thread … incredible work. Wish you were located in NYC…
 
Ouch. That may not be way too high to pay in the current market for an unmolested, fully working original unit, but I think it on the order of 3 bills too much. Irrespective of that, I'd say there is a solid case to be made that the unit was misrepresented at sale (even if fully working) if it was specifically presented as a recapped/restored unit, which it obviously is not.

I don't know the terms of the sale, or how long ago it was consummated, but if there is any warranty or return period on it, I'd probably try to get the refund just on the principal that the seller blew smoke up my ass.

Now, if the seller is willing to "make it right" and adjust the price by refunding a few hundred bucks, it may be worth keeping and having a proper restoration job done. Still would leave me with a sour taste just from being lied to. The only way the seller - maybe - gets a pass from me is if he flipped it after buying it from someone else without ever verifying the work was done.

The remaining problem right now is that if you keep the amp, it is not advisable to use it in its present state. Yes, it works. That could change at any moment if a black flag is just far enough off value that is lets loose and blows one - or both - channels. OE output devices are nearly impossible to find, and even if using the more readily available suitable TO-3P replacements, is an expensive repair job.

So, you can commit the money to have it restored now so it's safe to use, mothballl it until you are willing or able to make the outlay for a restoration, or try to get the seller to either sweeten the deal or give you a full refund and return the amp.
 
Sansuiman said:
Ouch. That may not be way too high to pay in the current market for an unmolested, fully working original unit, but I think it on the order of 3 bills too much. Irrespective of that, I'd say there is a solid case to be made that the unit was misrepresented at sale (even if fully working) if it was specifically presented as a recapped/restored unit, which it obviously is not.

I don't know the terms of the sale, or how long ago it was consummated, but if there is any warranty or return period on it, I'd probably try to get the refund just on the principal that the seller blew smoke up my ass.

Now, if the seller is willing to "make it right" and adjust the price by refunding a few hundred bucks, it may be worth keeping and having a proper restoration job done. Still would leave me with a sour taste just from being lied to. The only way the seller - maybe - gets a pass from me is if he flipped it after buying it from someone else without ever verifying the work was done.

The remaining problem right now is that if you keep the amp, it is not advisable to use it in its present state. Yes, it works. That could change at any moment if a black flag is just far enough off value that is lets loose and blows one - or both - channels. OE output devices are nearly impossible to find, and even if using the more readily available suitable TO-3P replacements, is an expensive repair job.

So, you can commit the money to have it restored now so it's safe to use, mothballl it until you are willing or able to make the outlay for a restoration, or try to get the seller to either sweeten the deal or give you a full refund and return the amp.
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Great advice. I was just too naive and excited to finally get my hands on one… now I did. I’ve been scouting eBay for the longest time and the price for one nowadays ranges from $1000-2000, I thought I got a good deal. I guess I will just bite the bullet and do a restoration - just need to find a 919 expert in NYC
 
Fair enough. Like I already said, in the current market you didn't pay way out of line versus going rate IMHO, and if I were in your position I'd probably be more steamed up about the seller lying about the state of the unit than the money, because it was underhanded. For that matter, if shipping cost factored into the total paid, the price paid stings a bit less still, for whatever that's worth.

At least by all appearances so far, you didn't get one that was thrashed internally by an amateur tech, using poor quality replacement components or having damaged circuit board pads and traces. I've seen some atrocious "repair work" done by someone who couldn't turn a screw without botching up the head or clealry tried to unsolder transistors with a 150W Weller soldering gun.

Starting with a clean, undamaged unit is a huge plus when doing a resto. I have much respect for those who rescue badly butchered gear and bring it back to life, and there have been threads here showing exactly that sort of resurrection. It's a labor of love, no doubt. I prefer not to mess with those basket cases unless a model's rarity dictates I have to. Sometimes you might go years without finding another more worthy example. Then you just have to go with what you have.

You are starting from a good, working unit, so you do have that to be thankful for at the very least. Your tech - whoever that ends up being - will appreciate it as well.
 
sjackh said:
I was just too naive and excited to finally get my hands on one
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This what's matters...
I think you did good, a unrestored unit IMO is great... I wouldn't have to redo whatever nonsense people do to those units to keep them going, now is only a matter to find a good specialist and you will have a very nice iconic Sansui for years.
Cheers!!
 
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What you paid IMO isn't too bad a price considering it looks unmolested. Of course the elephant in the room is the infamous 'Sansui Glue' which if the OP does a search will find this is another issue that can be corrected with a proper restore. The glue is used on the printed circuit boards to immobilise large components but unfortunately over time goes corrosive, and in bad cases eats through component leads. Just like the 'rust that never sleeps' that glue will continue doing its worst until it is removed in the approved manner.
 
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Hyperion said:
What you paid IMO isn't too bad a price considering it looks unmolested. Of course the elephant in the room is the infamous 'Sansui Glue' which if the OP does a search will find this is another issue that can be corrected with a proper restore. The glue is used on the printed circuit boards to immobilise large components but unfortunately over time goes corrosive, and in bad cases eats through component leads. Just like the 'rust that never sleeps' that glue will continue doing its worst until it is removed in the approved manner.
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From looking at the attached images, you can see the glue???
 
sjackh said:
you can see the glue???
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Not in your pictures, but it is a virtual certainty that your unit has some under some of the larger components.

See the last picture in post #24 of my thread - and you can see it, brown splodges left behind after a row of capacitors has been removed for replacement.

If you look at the top picture in post #27 of my thread you can just see that where it was visible in between the removed capacitors it has gone - because I removed it all. ;)
 
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I bought a "working" AU717 on ebay, paid $480. It shows up, and plug into the dim bulb. Comes out of protection but no sound. It looked all original, but very dirty inside. Contacted the seller, and he was willing to full refund but I would eat the return shipping. I made a lower offer and we came to a fair deal, ebay refunded some monies and the sales tax. It did piss me off that he lied about it working, but I had plans to rebuild it before bidding. Funny how every fusible was open.. damn liers. Ebay is pretty good about buyers getting items not working so you have that in your favor.
Good luck finding a repair center, here in central NJ there are none. There is a repair shop down near Trenton, but he has no interest in doing full recaps.
 
Ok Does the amp work? Sorry i did not read the whole thread. I live in Brooklyn Sheepshead Bay Area and could restore your amp. However i won't be able to do it earlier than March or most likely April as i have some personal issues.
So if you do not find anybody before that I could help you.
 
TupolevFan said:
Ok Does the amp work? Sorry i did not read the whole thread. I live in Brooklyn Sheepshead Bay Area and could restore your amp. However i won't be able to do it earlier than March or most likely April as i have some personal issues.
So if you do not find anybody before that I could help you.
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Ahh! That sounds great! Yes the amp works. I’m assuming you have expertise in the 919? I live in fort green Brooklyn. What do you charge?
 
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