Hi Folks.
Could you help me with some information please. I have a Pioneer SA-9100 amplifier bought and kept by me since 1973. It needs work to restore it to better performance.
I am in Canada (east coast) and I would like your recommendations on who does this kind of restoration work here, and their reputation.
I don't know what is the proper place to post this, so please excuse me and move it to the proper thread if need be.
Sincere thanks in advance.
Randolph
Could you help me with some information please. I have a Pioneer SA-9100 amplifier bought and kept by me since 1973. It needs work to restore it to better performance.
I am in Canada (east coast) and I would like your recommendations on who does this kind of restoration work here, and their reputation.
I don't know what is the proper place to post this, so please excuse me and move it to the proper thread if need be.
Sincere thanks in advance.
Randolph
Try Hamblen's in Halifax, I think they are on Kempt Rd now, used to be on Strawberry Hill. I cannot vouch for them but they been around for a long time. What sort of work does it need?
As a now semi-retired professional audio/video service tech, I've done loads of "restorations" over the past 40+ years. With that said, good, capable techs are relatively scarce these days - most seem to be in the business just for the money. And those that are out there first need to be checked out for the above capability by hunting down past customer reviews - and not just online ones, which could be fake. Ask the service tech if they can provide any references - a good tech/business has nothing to hide. I, myself, have been "one of the good ones", with almost endless crowns given to me by my customers, and for which I'm very grateful, even though the road was bumpy, tedious, and stressful at times. Restorations are that way, and even with all the skill I have, it was my choice. Partly because of my love to "keep that good old stuff running in top shape". I state all this because I've had customers come in with shoddy repaired items done by someone else, and I've had to "undo" the mess at the customer's added expense. And I've seen this many times - moreso in later years, as others have climbed onto the "repair business" boat because they saw some kind of a Golden Goose money pit to ding into. There are, some reputable guys out there - it's just a matter of finding them, much the same as finding a good auto mechanic that won't rape the customer. Good luck.
Most of the time this Pioneer serie from the end of the 70s are suffering of their volume pot, a sort of pot made on a board and soldered in vertical position. It is not hard to adapt a modern pot but perhaps you will loose the Loudness purpose (not sure, to be checked : photographs of the inside of the amps.
Does it have big Elna grey cap at DC blocking beore the binding-posts ?
A little pop in the loudspeakers is normal for these amps. You may needs to replace some caps for better performance but you will loose the nice warm signature of it.
Thanks so far.
I think it needs the caps replaced as I read they go on this amp after these many years.
The protection circuit also needs attention.
A few years ago I sent it to Pioneer in Montreal (I think) and they replaced a transistor, but nothing else. It has lost that beautiful sound, and now sounds hard, cold.
Any more suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
I think it needs the caps replaced as I read they go on this amp after these many years.
The protection circuit also needs attention.
A few years ago I sent it to Pioneer in Montreal (I think) and they replaced a transistor, but nothing else. It has lost that beautiful sound, and now sounds hard, cold.
Any more suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
People have gone NUTS over this "recapping craze" and it's NOT all that important.
Yes, maybe some caps might be weakening, but not all.
Too many people have done that nutty "complete recapping" and have wasted time, money, and sometimes did more harm than good.
There are other things that need attention, but the morons don't understand that sometimes adjustments, cleaning controls, etc, are in order - so they putz around with recapping because "the internet" says so.
Enough of that crap already!
Yes, maybe some caps might be weakening, but not all.
Too many people have done that nutty "complete recapping" and have wasted time, money, and sometimes did more harm than good.
There are other things that need attention, but the morons don't understand that sometimes adjustments, cleaning controls, etc, are in order - so they putz around with recapping because "the internet" says so.
Enough of that crap already!
Thanks for your help.
How would you suggest that I go about this?
I don't have the knowledge and experience to do this myself.
Any specific persons in Canada, or even the US who could restore this old amp, that you would trust?
How would you suggest that I go about this?
I don't have the knowledge and experience to do this myself.
Any specific persons in Canada, or even the US who could restore this old amp, that you would trust?
I share that opinion, I have seen used amplifiers but in impeccable condition and the "updates" left them without working forever.
"If something works well, leave it as is"
I would start by placing a series lamp (I still have a few old bulbs, many newbies want to use the current low consumption ones, they do not work), connect it and if there are no abnormal symptoms (the series lamp must remain unlit or slightly) check with a mono source (or a bridge on the RCA inputs) if the two channels work identically by moving the balance.
If all is well, to enjoy and period.
I have owned two Pioneer SA-9100 amps.
Lovely children of their time.
But once they go wrong, it is time to buy a new or second hand replacement.
There are so many old and failing parts, that you will find they all fail faster than you can replace them.
47 years is severe old age for an amp. Tbh, that amp is not actually very good by modern standards. Suffered from transient intermodulation distortion, due to slow output transistors.
Modern devices are faster.
Lovely children of their time.
But once they go wrong, it is time to buy a new or second hand replacement.
There are so many old and failing parts, that you will find they all fail faster than you can replace them.
47 years is severe old age for an amp. Tbh, that amp is not actually very good by modern standards. Suffered from transient intermodulation distortion, due to slow output transistors.
Modern devices are faster.
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This distribution of the components makes it very difficult to measure voltage in inaccessible points ... you have to manipulate the plates with the (rigid) cables connected and short circuits are on the lookout!
I tremble just seeing the photo !
I tremble just seeing the photo !
Attachments
I once had a broken £400 Pioneer SA-9100 amplifier.
One channel was dead. I struggled up the road to Pioneer's service centre in Iver, Bucks to get the damned thing fixed. Heavy old lump.
Cost me £30 to get it fixed. I asked the engineer what he did when he wasn't fixing broken Pioneers. He told me his main employ was taking apart the competitors products. And nicking their ideas. 😀
One channel was dead. I struggled up the road to Pioneer's service centre in Iver, Bucks to get the damned thing fixed. Heavy old lump.
Cost me £30 to get it fixed. I asked the engineer what he did when he wasn't fixing broken Pioneers. He told me his main employ was taking apart the competitors products. And nicking their ideas. 😀
Sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. I have no electronics knowledge. Could you rephrase that to help me?
I know my old amp had very low distortion when I got it.
moved to Solid State forum.
IMO, the best place for info on repairing and restoring this type of vintage gear is AudioKarma. Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, I'm sure someone there can connect you with a good technician in your area. There's also a chance that an experienced AK member near you might be willing to fix it for you.
They even have a Pioneer-specific section
Pioneer Audio | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, I'm sure someone there can connect you with a good technician in your area. There's also a chance that an experienced AK member near you might be willing to fix it for you.
They even have a Pioneer-specific section
Pioneer Audio | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
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