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Sansui BA 3000 Recap

John is correct!

Don't make the mistake that I (& others) have made and just start replacing components. Your BA3000 is having problems because something(s) has failed. Replacing any component that is not known to be contributing to that problem simply changes the playing field, and may introduce other problems. My suggestion is to stay focused on the original problem until you get that resolved. Even if you run into another problem or failed component that is not related to your primary problem, record the information but leave it alone until you have figured out the main problem.

Go to Trnsfmr's referenced thread for a simple setup & process for measuring the gain of power transistors.
 
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Sorry didn't get here on time to warn you. Most BA3K's have problems with the driving boards. My experience with 3 I have and at least a dousin I have repaired is that drivers are failing after 40 years or so. Pre drivers don't seem to be so affected. It's going to be difficult to find the same drivers. Also you might encounter problems on the regulating board which is next or prior to the driving boards. Pay attention on the reg board, it's vital to have correctly regulated voltages out of this board. And there are some transistors there that need attention too along with some electrolytic caps. Change the caps asap.
 
Also bare in mind that these three boards are getting almost negative ventilation since they button up on the mother board.
 
Hi Jomark and John,

thank you of the help and inputs, I have the amp running and the problem was on the driver boards (Thanks John) . I had to change the resistors on one of them. I kindly request further inputs as follows:

1. Would it be necessary to have the same resistors on the similar location on both the driver boards? One has some new ones and the other is original. just so that I have the same in the in the signal path on both the Left and right channels.

2. Should I change to metal or carbon taxman resistors?

3. I plan to chang the input RCA jacks to a higher quality one, Should i do the modification or leave it to original?

4. The BA 3000 has two 22,000uf 80v Elna capacitors, I plan to change both of them and have the following options:
a. Mundorf M lytic 33,000uf 100v ($300 for both, but in stock)
b. Nichicon KG 22,000uf 100v. ($150 for both, order 4 weeks)
(both have the same size and fit as per the original capacitors (7.5cm x 10 cm)

5. I am not able to get the bulbs for the VU meters and will be doing a conversion to LED. Not happy about it but no choice here.

And all the Caps have been changed to Elna Silmic II or Nichicon Muse or Gold series, most of the small transistors have been changed too. Do i need to upgrade anything else? Any resistors or other parts?

Please kindly advise.

Thanks and Regards,
 
You do not need to up the voltage of the main caps. So i suggest to change them with NICHICON super through 22000μf/80v with bolts . Percy audio carries them at 70$ a piece . That's what i did on both my ba3k's . Super through's are the best caps you can by, by far. file:///C:/Users/Γιαννης/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/IE/5TU4Y393/Catalog.pdf

Oh and they are 66,95$.

Oh and leave the rca's in place. They are quite fine.
As for the resistors leave them be if they meter ok.
 
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Dear Jomark911,

Thanks, I will get them form Singapore as US is too far. and the price is similar to what you indicated. Around $75 per pc and the 22,000uf 100V cap is the same size as the original ELNA caps. Therefore, am opting for those so will retain the stock look of the inside compartment.

The resistors metered ok.. And tonight will take the amp for a test run.

Will keep you updated on this .. thanks for your kind help.

And will begin recapping the CA 3000 this weekend. :)
 
Ok but the caps you are going to buy are not super through's , but just gold tune. A step down. The price 67$ I believe is unique. You are not going to find these caps anywhere in the world at this price. And the size is identical to originals. Again super troughs are the finest caps you can ever get.
 
Thank you everyone especially Jomark, John and Steve for the detailed suggestions and help. I am enclosing a photo of the amp running direct from the CD player. The CA 3000 preamp is the next project. And will post pics when complete.
 

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Dear Friends, after more than a week of playing music and movies through the Recapped BA 3000. I am extremely happy with he way the soundstage and the detail in the midrange has cleared up. However, i find the the Low end is lacking as compared to before the recap. I have ordered the main power supply caps (Nichicon Super through) and will take 10 weeks before I get them.

Any advise to improve the low end?
 
Thanks for the reply JOMARK911, but I am running wharfedale 9.6 floor standers. Not a difficult load for the Sansui... but will order then main PSU caps and see further. BTW, most of the caps used throughout the amp were the ELNA Silmic II and a couple of guys here said that is the character of the Silmic II and will get better after the break in period of around 200 hrs to 300 hrs. But am super satisfied for the the highs and the midrange... the vocals have a depth and presence and are silky smooth.
 
well good , i don't know if you haven't done the test that http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?members/trnsfmr.51879/ calls for , with a 1kohm resistance and record time to voltage drops to 67% of original voltage , but it's a good way of finding out what your caps are doing. I did it and found out that I had no reason to swap my main caps (nichicons) for newer ones, although I had to swap ELNA'S for newer ones. BA3K's came along , with ELNAS and NICHICON's.
So I believe you have to swap them and see for your self . But , old Electrolytic caps (even big ones) fall to the same category of consumables .
I had mine swapped for both BA3K's and I believe it was a waist of money , but I now have new caps and peace of mind. Plus I have 4 big boys caps to play with on my non existent free time.


Cheers.
 
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