Technics SA-5170

[fiddlefye]

Ahhhhhh....my very first receiver. I bought the SA-5170 brand new from Team Electronics in Oshkosh, WI when I was 14, after saving money earned raking leaves and mowing lawns.

Had it through high school and college, lost it somewhere after college...me thinks me gave it to a girlfriend (DOH!). I now own a SA-5370, which marked my return into audio of the 70's, albeit now as 'vintage'.

They have a very distinctive 'odor'...give a sniff above the vent, you'll see what I mean.

Enjoy your garage receiver!!!

Wonder what it is in the Technics receivers of that vintage that produces that distinct scent? My SA-700 has it and a friend's SA-5170 does as well. Wonder just what component(s) could be doing that after all these years? It isn't just that "old electronics" smell but something that's been there since day one and reappears as soon as they warm up. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[markallen]

Wonder what it is in the Technics receivers of that vintage that produces that distinct scent? My SA-700 has it and a friend's SA-5170 does as well. Wonder just what component(s) could be doing that after all these years? It isn't just that "old electronics" smell but something that's been there since day one and reappears as soon as they warm up. Anyone have any thoughts?

I've noticed that about Technics too. VERY evocative, reminds me of my first receiver, an SA-5460.

Another brand that has an even MORE distinctive "scent" is Philips. I would know a Philips turntable blindfolded without even trying. Love that smell!

 

[Derek1320]

Great receiver. I've got an SA-5270 that does its duty in my living room. I paid 10x that for mine (though I sold an SA-GX390 for the same price, so I guess I wasn't robbed too badly!).

I totally know what you guys are talking about with the smell. I always figured it was the smell of the house that it came from, but it hasn't gone away. Just a very faint, consistent odor. I'm glad I'm not crazy.

 

[Dr. Music]

Maybe its some pheromone-like chemical that induces euphoria, making we people who buy Technics receivers want to continue being customers.... at some point in the game they must have started using the cheap stuff in that regard too!

 

[Petmar]

But an SA-5170 for free is better!

Found mine on the break room table at work with a note on it saying, "Free to a good home!" I couldn't believe my luck. The only thing wrong with it was two burned out bulbs behind the front panel. So, since everything else in my house seems to have blue LEDs, I checked the voltages on the bulbs (12 VAC, 60 Hz, if anyone's wondering) and made three half-wave rectifiers out of 8 Cd blue LEDs (2 each, opposed). All I needed then was a 1 kΩ load limiting resistor on each, and to solder them in place in the lamp holders. I wound up just leaving the two end ones in, and putting the third LED assembly on a pair of leads under the grill so that it can illuminate the cabinet that I'm putting it in. A photo:

I now have it hooked up to a pair of old Realistic NOVA-5s that I picked up at a steep discount for helping the local electronics NFP shop (Finger Lakes ReUse's eCenter) for setting up an audio test bench for them.

 

[Chad Michael]

Have an SA-5270, a friend gave it to me, it doesn't power up. I found a factory service manual and hope to bring it back one day (or have it fixed).

 

[NCAUDIO]

The GWs here in NC are pretty good. My 2 best scores were a Pilot Radio C-1076 Console with SA210 and SP232 amp and pre-amp. Console had tuner, multiplexor, and 4 speakers. The Cherry finish was almost perfect and all electronics worked as intended. And right next to it was the matching cabinet with matching speakers. Same condition. Each unit was $ 5.00
10 bucks for an incredible amp and preamp with 2 speaker cabinets.
2nd best was a perfect pair of AR9 speakers for 40 bucks. They were 148lbs each. Worth the wrenched back getting them home.