I’ve had this thing for probably 4 or 5 years where I’ll periodically bring it out, try a bunch of stuff and get frustrated and then put it away. Well, as of today, it’s now completely fixed and working just as it should. It’s all down to a new nerd machine I bought that helped me diagnose the issue - thank you nerd machine.
So pretty! Built between 1970 and 71, this one looks completely untouched, even coming with its original box. She had issues, but don’t we all. I’ve previous had the little brother, the SX-440, so it was nice to get back into the line up. I’m not in a rush to do another, to access the main amp board I had to continually desolder about 10 wires so each change meant I had to pull it out, change some things, then reinstall to test. I think I did that about 6 times.
This was a delight to work on and in going to regret letting it go. Hitachi coming in strong with the IA-600. 1973 production, 32wpc and a bunch of different inputs.
Picked up this one and got it singing again, just super dirty and missing one knob. Unfortunately those knobs are $150ea, so either I’m forking out a lot of money for one knob, or I’m sitting on a goldmine made of knobs if I replace them all with generic ones.
Sansui Model 2000, 1967-71. Not gonna lie, I let out some choice words while working on this one. It’s done now though, noise floor is as quiet as a mouse. It’s still got its blue protective plastic along the chrome rim - who keeps that on for 50+ years?
This one came with a niggle and left with a new heart. Part of it was not disclosed by the seller, part of it was misdiagnosed by me and the other half was when I slipped with the multimeter and shorted the output transistores and blew half of it up. What a roller coaster of emotions.
I felt for sure this sale was a scam and I was really concerned that I was going to be the downfall of the family. But sometimes you gotta roll the dice and to the best of my knowledge, my identity has not been stolen.
I learnt that I don’t have the eyesight nor the steady hands to replace the tiny coil springs on VU meters, and that’s ok. This beast is 45wpc and too powerful for my bookshelf speakers in the study, so she’s off to greener pastures. Farewell my friend.
This also left this weekend to a guy who was in Melbourne for the cricket. His reason for buying it? He had the same exact amp and loved it so much he wanted to gift bit this one to a friend. I thought that was incredibly sweet.
