I'm struck that pretty much every repair on these old units is described as tedious, time consuming, and no one wants to be bothered. Sorry to say but that's what detailed fine work is like. Finding the error, removing small parts, replacing small parts in tight areas, rebuilding traces etc. But that's what it takes to maintain old, unsupported equipment.

Another way to check individual drivers is to take the core from a roll of paper towels (you know, the cardboard-y thing left when you've used all the towels up), put it up to your ear, and put it right in front of the driver you're testing. I did this to find a blown rear tweeter on my Time Frame TF600. Worked like a charm!

Kevin, this series of videos is so educational and will help so many folks. While I’m a tech myself, and already knew many of these issues, you’ve even taught this old dog a thing or two.

As I look towards niche services, as a mechanical engineer with electronics experience I'm recognizing a market for my retirement activities. Making these items with various 3d printers for metal and plastics is something I'm gearing up for in the next few years. My product services would be way beyond Hi Fi as I do STM32 industrial products as well. I've identified a wide range of specialized needs that are within my wheel house.

here's a bit of trivia about Sansui - in the late 1960s at Travis Air Force Base , they had a fleet of C141 cargo planes . when they returned from Cambodia and vietnam for service ,they were empty except for the stuff that the crew and their friends had bought at a huge discount . i remember seeing a lot of Sansui equipment , rattan furniture and a substantial amount of weed and hash 😂 there were no inspections or duties etc so the captain could load the plane with all manner of goods .

I agree the au-717 and others are great, here's a tip and has worked for me very well, ive had 2 mint 717 models and those stacked volume pots I've found if you carefully drill a tiny hole (slowly and very carefully) in the top of each chamber to fit the nozzle to spray cleaner in it works fine, but put electrical grease wherever you drill to collect the shavings and to keep them from going inside, let them air out and lube them and put a strip of black electrical tape over them for easy service later, the one I did 2 years ago a friend still uses daily and still has no volume issues, just be careful doing it, works for me.

The tech I bought my 9090db from went through the painstaking work of refurbishing the db board. He did the complete de-solder clean up & replaced the ribbon connectors to pin connectors and new wiring. It was well worth it & he was a good dude to fix this before he sold it.

Wanted to drop my vote for those AU's - they are well worth the effort! Gorgeous machines. Phenomenal sound. And once refreshed decades of good times ahead. Here's some rough math - $500-$700 purchase price, $500-$600 restoration, and you cannot get that quality of sound, power and build quality for the same money new. Also new gear depreciates rapidly vs vintage gear is pretty stable and even appreciating. Bottom line, buy a nice AU, restore it, enjoy Sansui Sound.

I have a rebuilt 5000a. When I saw it advertised, I looked on line, noted the issue and made sure the boards were replaced. All I really needed to ask is “Who’s worked on this and what was done?”The seller has a good reputation, has a shop, builds custom guitar amps. It looks and sounds amazing with the perfect level of power I need. I did have an issue with drop outs when I messed with the volume range pot in the back panel but a clean with Deoxit solved that. Overall its a great receiver if its original manufacturing issue has been addressed. As always, your videos are amazing and a valuable service.

I have had multible Sansui models and still have a lot. Au-317, au-417, au-517, au-717, au-719 and au-919. Never had an issue with the volume knops. Regarding Sansui speakers there are some good speakers. Many people make the mistake and put them on stands. Many of them are floorstanding models. The series Sp-1200 to sp-5500 WITHOUT the X Are really good rock speakers. So there are a wide audience that use these speakers wrong. In Japan people sit mostly low on the floor. And the speakers are made to “play” with the acoustics of the floor. I have the very big sp-5500 and they are amazing.😉 The story I hear is that theres not enough bass. Try to put a Sansui valve amplifier to them and you will get blown away by the sound. I have the 500 and 500ea recievers.

I agree that most of the multi driver Sansui speakers sound inferior to modern stuff for critical listening , but they are great party speakers because they get very loud without breaking a sweat. That said, I had an extra set of SP-2500s that I designed my own crossovers for and they really sound amazing. Turns out the cabinets and drivers werent the problem. It was the factory L-pads and ridiculous crossover designs that cause these speakers to fall short on sound quality (too much comb filtering). I know most people aren't going to tackle a total crossover redesign on a set of vintage speakers, but I just thought I'd share this because I had alot of fun doing it (**this is not something I would recommend unless you have crossover design experience**), and the results were great, even though they did lose a little efficiency because the 12" woofers are no longer running wide open. I rolled them off above 800hz.

Another great video Kevin. Keep them coming

I love your Channel and especially the episodes concerning Sansui’s! Keep on keeping on👍

My first amp was a 2000A! Love it

Thanks Kev, very interesting as always... I watched even though I'm not in the market for any Sansui components anymore when I was looking to buy a new integrated amp receiver, and then came across the Pioneer 780 that I bought instead, but it never hurts to have more knowledge. So thanks again🥂👍

Thanks Kevin! I've owned my 5000X since new and I had no idea there was a recall. I'll be checking for the defective board and won't be leaving it plugged in until I verify. I really appreciate you and your channel. I always enjoy your videos.

Definitely gonna be a fun one

Thanks for your channel. I own a pair of Sansui SPL800s I got in the Phillipines in the late 70s. Love em...Had the surrounds replaced in the 90s but never went into the crossovers. Still sound great. Looking for a trusted vintage audio repair shop here in Miami for my G9000 that's been sitting in the closet for about 15 years with a bad right channel. Ready to resurrect it. Thanks again for the great content

As usual, another very informative presentation and always appreciate everyone of them. In regards to the Sansui speaker, you are right on the money. I remembered when I was in the Air Force back and stationed in Japan back in 1975, boy, you should see almost 100% of the airmen used to buy these speakers left and right. They were like 5 way or 6 way speaker with full of drivers inside. We used to used them to crank up the Led Zeppelin and other rocks blasting inside the dormitory. Most of them had those monster Sansui quad receivers. Right off the military base, they used to have audio/stereo store by the name of Pony. I remember they used to have like over 100 speakers once can listen before buying one pair and yes, they had this type of 5 or 6 way crappy speakers. By the way, have anyone heard a speaker brand name of Tamon? That was another 5 or 6 way speaker they sold, very cheap but good to crank up rock very loud, suited for the military personnel that time. Yes, I have been around and have seen all kinds of events. I thought JBL and Sansui got together in some way to do speaker making business in the past?

I am in a different industry but deal with potentiometers on Vitamix blenders. Most of the time cleaning the contacts and bending the spring back works. Also, whenever I take something apart I take lots of pics.

Great video, keep up the great work.

I have a sansui 5000 with the correct boards. Its working fine for the most part id still like to find a tech and have someone look it over. It definitely has issues but still sounds great but i can't find a tech who seems to know anything about them. Thanks for another great video!

I have an AU-719. The volume knob is ok but not perfect. I had to recap the unit, mostly the phono pre amp. Was well worth the effort. I bought this thing in 1979 and am still using it!

I was surprised to find the 9090DB Dolby board was not as bad to work on as everyone described, but, it is extremely time consuming even with the proper re-work tools. I can see the average customer not wanting to pay for that in real time…

Just started - Those look like real beasts

I would suggest using an external volume control. I have two vintage amps that I installed headphone amps with RCA ins/outs in the tape monitor one loops. You can use pre out and power in too. If you can find a spot on the volume potentiometer that works, use the remote control to control volume. I am using two Sabaj A10h units but there are many others out there.

I had a 9090db and it was fine. Now I have a 9090, no dolby. Good too!

12:10 - I believe their speakers cabinets were sized to match the width of their *components* ! They really do remind me of larger versions of the speakers offered with *Yorx* and *SoundDesign* all-in-one systems !

The title indicates "FIRE" , and your first comment in the opening is, "this is a fun one" . I like your sense of humor....

My little Sansui 800 chugs along cool as a cucumber. It is such a great little performer and 22 wpc is plenty.

These types of videos really help the hobby of vintage audio enjoyment, Keep them coming ! Maybe think about doing the flip-side and list what gear from popular manufacturers made solid. relatively easy repairable models lines. List by years made or series type.

Feelings _not_ hurt! LOL. I have Sansui AU-20000 connected to Sansui SP-Z99 speakers (18" woofer / 5 way), with the LED power meters in them ! They have survived being 'abused' by both the Sansui AU-20000 integrated amplifier and the massive Hitachi SR-2004 receiver without burning out. Also have a pair of Sansui SP-X9700, which might be the Kabuki king with 7 speakers! That's it. Lots of Sansui audio equipment, but only those two pairs of Sansui speakers.

Yup, gonna, gonna stick with my Cerwin Vega SL-12's and 15's.

I have a set of Sansui sp 200 speakers and they sound amazing with my old tube gear. They are low wattage and have alnico magnets. I'm definitely not impressed with them on solid state amps but give them a go on some sweet tube gear.

I still have my 7 way sansui speakers and Kenwood component stereo system from 1982.

Love Sansui SP's -

Pioneer made some speakers in the 80s that rivals Sansui's king of Kabuki's throne . The CS 903 etc had a lot of speakers in a cabinet not deep enough to take advantage of huge woofers . Polk made fantastic speakers in the late 80s and early 90s that still sound great today

Just had my 9099 DB, was not a big deal, the ribbon cables are part of the issue and not to bad to fix.

I still own a 717 and a 919 and they may very well have that problem. They worked when I quit using them, but that's been quite some time ago.

"Kabuki" in "putting on a show, a spectacle, which I deeply agree with you, they are maybe good enough and certainly awesome looking, there's definitely better speakers to buy. I use my hands and make a cone to listen if all the drivers are actually working. It works well if don't have a piece of cardboard handy.

I've repaired a sansui AU-X1 once, it has burned track on the PCB. I don't know what they did with it to have it damaged this badly. The 5050 and up serie are awesome looking and sounding receivers. Very well made, besides the higher model DB version being problematic. Great informative video as always.

I appreciate your thoughts on Sansui speakers. I will add for those Sansui enthusiasts there is a way to get the most out of a pair of SP-3500's or the SP-2500's. First, do change the caps to the tightest tolerances you can find. I got mine at Dayton and re-capping the crossovers, cleaning the tone pots (plus for convenience adding binding posts) significantly opened up the spaciousness of these two pair of speakers. Also, I replaced the extremely stiff surrounds on the big woofers in the 3500's. I used Cerwin Vega foam surrounds to replace the factory cloth type. This allows the woofer some added travel and, I think, a better bass response. Just my thoughts.

I felt sad when I heard about the AU series, I have the 719 and the pot was little scratchy when I bought it but I was able to dexoit through a tiny hole that is on the knot, I have other receivers with normal open pots and even with tons of deoxy cannot fix all the scratchyness... I see your point, once this pot gets bad there is no replacement and it's sad.

I diy cleaned my au 717 I disassembled the pot it is tedious but can be done if you are very careful.

Sansui 5000a with jbl 4312a and 4301b sound so nice bass is so low no subwoofer needed I’ll never let it go.

You have great humility 🙂

Good Point about the Sansui 9090 and 8080 db models .... even if the db circuit can be fixed, it's a useless circuit since the few FM stations that ever broadcasted in Dolby stopped doing so many, many moons ago! That's why, in my opinion, the regular non db 9090s and 8080s are the ones to look for! Even better, the best bang for the buck in that series of receivers is the 7070....less power, same sound, and fewer headaches!😉

Hey Kevin, great video.. Do you know off hand if the AU-317 uses the same volume control as the ones you mentioned? I love love love the AU-717 ( wanted one forever ) but now that I have a few good power amps ive stopped looking for a 717 and considered a 317 ( series 1 ). Off hand do you know if the AU-317 would sound as good as the AU-717 if im just using it as a pre-amp?

Hahahaha. That's why we called 'em Sansuey!!! LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹

Hi Kevin - Im about to pick up a Pioneer SX 780 / completely reconditioned. New wood - immaculate condition. Anything to worry about regarding this model?

Hi Kevin thanks for your video my tech replaced the pot of my Sansui AU-719 using 100kohms instead of the original 150 kohms unrepairable and i think he added a resistance i m not sure . What wiil be the issue can damage something or change the sound? Thanks for your response.

have you heard the Sansui sp-300's from 1968? i have a set and they are pretty sweet.. way to Heavy though.. the reviews are outstanding..

Kevin, What do you think of Crown and Audio-Technica?

One thing I’ve noticed, if a pot or switch is problematic historically, it was generally made by Alps.

What did the F1040 board in the Sansui 5000 actually do? What function?

got a little worried when you showed the ebay listing for the $300 volume pot for an AU-D9 because that's what i have! mine works great though, loud, clean and balanced left to right. i upgraded from an AU-D5 which had the exact problem you've described before with sansui, unbalanced L-R volume until you crank it up more

Some of the two way speakers from Sansui have an other problem, and it is surround stiffening. The surround is made of impregnated cloth and that hardens. That result is a rise in the resonance frequency which causes a loss of base. Indeed, what a pithy because Sansui speakers with their grill on really look fantastic.

I own a JDM AU-D907, zero issues with the pot but understand the need to highlight potential issues. Here's a question though, what percentage of units that you've repaired/serviced have had this issue? Is it the occasional or every second kinda thing?

I would pay 300 for a Gauranteed Working piece for those models. This Day and Age if you want a great Working and Sounding Sansui it's Gonna Cost! But behind my Pioneer I Love these Recievers and Amps. But would have a Quality Back Up on Hand! Keep up the great Vids! Have you installed a light kit on a Fender Edition MoFi? Would it be a Good Look? Have a good one!

My Sansui AU-717 is completely unusable because of the dirty volume pot. Tried drilling holes to clean it. Worked for a bit. I did see someone selling a newly built replacement on eBay at some point. I am sure it sold. Hopefully another will show up again.

I got a AU 719 a couple months ago and the volume pot was scratchy. Wasnt that hard to dexoit it. I just loosened it to were I could seperate the panels and get my straw inbetween and spray it.

The Au series has the pre amp out , power amp in , put a outside $50 passive volume in the loop. Or even better , rca patch a remote controlled passive volume.

Sansui did release one 2 way speaker but it’s very hard to find. Can’t remember where I heard about it, maybe here…

What about the glue Sansui used to hold down electrolytics to the amp boards? You never mentioned that major Sansui problem. I repaired an AU-717 that had bad component lead corrosion due to that glue. They were sloppy when applying the glue for each cap during factory assembly. That glue is often splashed onto nearby components. That glue turns caustic or acidic. A resistor had a lead eaten completely away, and a glass zener was visibally oxidized inside and tested bad out of circuit. Those damaged components kept the unit in protect mode. That was about 15 years ago. The unit still powers my friends main system in his living room. Oh yeah. The hole drill method worked for me, and that cleaning might have prevented permanent oxidization inside the ganged potentiometer. Sealed the holes with E6000 because that is what I have on my bench for stuff like that. Drill them holes and clean clean clean! Ya got, Ya got, Ya got nothin' to lose!

I bought some sansui speakers from reverb had to return them the tweeters didnt work, too expensive to find replacements, the did have that kabuki sound. Meh. I sent them back because someone that likes them might want them for parts. I almost considered gutting them and cutting new baffles and updating them, the boxes were nice

A very busy box of speakers, I'll stick with my SL-12s and SL-15s.

Great more sansui for me.😂😂😂

Same pot as Pioneer Spec 1? Same issues?

How Dare you! OMG You can't say that! Thanks for the video 8)

I know someone who has a Sansui G-9700 he purchased new when he was in the service around 1980. He has not used it since the 1990s. It powers on but no sound in the left channel. I've been trying to get it off him for years. Is that a desirable receiver? I don't want to throw stupid money at him. Any thoughts?

Folks, Kabuki is a Japanese dramatic play. KUMIKO is the Japanese woodworking artform used to make Sansui grills. YW 😁👍

In my opinion it’s smart to purchase audio products that have met UL (USA), CE (European Union) and/or CSA-US (Canadian) safety standards. Fires and shocks are a complete and avoidable bummer.

I have a set of Sansui speakers. I thought that they were awesome , until I put a set of MCSs on the B side. Technically the MCSs are Technics. The Technics smoked the Sansuis.

I have an AU D 907F Extra that I loved but died and Terry Dewick has had it almost 10 years and still can’t repair it…

Never had any experience with Sansui speakers, since Franklin Music did not sell them. However, they sound much like the BIC stuff we did carry. Boomy bass, and not much definition otherwise. A certain type of listener would gravitate to them, and ultimately buy them. I NEVER would. Awesomely familiar looking shirt, for this installment.... Rip

Nice to see my TA 300 did NOT make this list.

I'm surprised at the encapsulated control issue...Alps replacements are available. Typically in UK between £35 to £80 depending if RC2000/RA2020 Rotel, SA9800 Pioneer or Sansui style...some are switched fixed resistor types and some are variable track

I own SP 200's. I bought the pair for 50.00, so how could you possibly go wrong. I have not seen a better pair of speakers at the price point. The only thing I will mention is the speakers are base heavy., but once again, at 50.00 it's a nice deal. I use these speakers in my small office, and they are absolutely fine for the application. I have some old Polk 7A's in my living room that do sound better, but I also paid a bit more for that pair. So, I would say the entire situation could only be judged subjectively. If you can find a pair of old Sansui's for under 100.00, I would say they are well worth it, but if you pay over 100.00, maybe the deal would sour a bit, again, this is strictly subjective.

Note that many of the "blue velvet" pots sold online that look like the one at 4:53 are counterfeit and often have poor tracking.

Amp’s especially power amps should not have a “sound” Sound is the property of the first active such as a DAC or cartridge. And most certainly your speakers. You can of course modify sound with the line level AKA preamp.

i have a Sansui 5000A i just checked the Driver Board it has a F-1006A ????? EDIT: maybe im looking at the wrong board?

In my experience, anything with a 1040 designation causes misery of some sort or another.

I would think most audiophiles have OCD, myself included. We keep our gear clean and pristine

Hey Kevin lm not an expert but aren't Alps volume pots still available,I know your not going to be exact match and you may have trouble fitting it.

Love vintage receiver speakers car but the problem parts it is big risks if it expensive. Befor we buy any vintage we think how we will rapier if it damaged . So expensive vintage think it is big risks

Loved the 5000x,..must have done hundreds of the board up grades.. What was great I would have hundreds of good 1040 boards.. I use to build custom power amps with them.. Also ,. how do you spell crap in electronic components,..."A-L-P-S"

Thanks for another great video I enjoy them I got Sansui speakers I haven't used in 30 years I hate to just throw them away but maybe I'll just give them away some kid I'm sure 10 year old kid would love them have a great day thanks and I'll keep fixing stereos when Allen Bradley closed they threw away dumpsters full of brand new potentiometers what a waste they were great they were incredibly made🙃

I never use my Sansui speakers. My Quad system uses them in the rear to hold up my DCM speakers. In other words, they are serving as speaker stands and conversation pieces. They are NOT efficient or good sounding. But I refuse to part with them.

Maybe this is daft observation, why would a sealed device need to be cleaned? Seems counter intuitive, no?

I don't believe that I would buy vintage audio these days - ya never can tell and I'm not too fussy about spending s pile of loot upgrading. perhaps if it was certified with a solid warranty. Locally a year or so ago I was at a high end retailer and they carries some vintage audio gear of which I was somewhat interested in an Elite Pioneer receiver. It had no price tag so I asked about it. The lady said they had into an vintage repair shop 45 minutes down the road 3 times and still not fixed. I was somewhat bummed out as it was a good looker.

2:16 open it or purchase a new one. Expect 25€.

Sort of click bait dude. I got a 9090DB for 20 years. Had it recapped including the db board. Your image shows “Fire “ and a 9090DB. Wish you didn’t do this one

I deal with so much gear, I just do not care about the stuff anymore. I just do not. I would pull apart or drill out anything. If it breaks, who cares. No fixing it pusseyfooting around like a puss.

Ha! Good deal man. Keep dogging Sansui speakers. Keep the price down on theses gems for people that know.

Sansui and sony must have been the worst offenders when you talk about kabuki speakers. They put out some monstrosities in the early 80s.

Well done because I learned something this morning. Did not know about those plastic (I Hate plastic) volume pots, really like those AU's, have yet to buy 1, now I question if I ever will. And a AU9000 just sold on CL in my area for $1000. Dolby, wish that was never invented.