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I need advice.

Background: I am a devoted music listener for over 50 years.  Most of my knowledge of technology is from the 70's.  
Objective: The best sound quality I can get from my system.
I have numerous amps, turntables and speakers.  The best of these is as follows:
My audio system;  Thorens TD 160 with Stanton 680EEE cartridge, Sansui AU 717, JBL L112
The Sansui (as far as I can tell) is untouched as far as any refurb is concerned. The overall quality of the audio as far as I can tell is good.  But it is what I listen to every day so I have no source for comparison. I have read that an amp that is 30+ years old is due for refurbishment (new caps, etc.).  I have been quoted $350 - 400 for a total refurbishment of the Sansui 717.  I would consider having this work done if it would make a noticeable improvement in the audio quality.  What  can I expect from such an investment?  I welcome any suggestions.
garywest
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Cap failures, can cause other components to fail.

30 years is a good, long life, without failure.

Your Sansui is living on borrowed time!

I would get the caps replaced, if you like the Sansui, or want to sell it.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Time to dump the Sansui i had a receiver 45 yrs ago move on.
erik_squires
16,057 posts
 
Yeah, either sell the Sansui to some one who wants it, or re-cap it for reliability's sake alone.

A bad failure can cascade, even blowing speakers. :)

What about digital? In additin to high rez downloads there are awesome internet stations out there you are not listening to. :) There are a bunch of internet ready receivers out there.

Best,

Erik
timlub
2,039 posts
 
If the Sansui is sentimental,  I'd recap it... All electrolytic would need to be replaced, not just the power supply filter caps.... All of todays caps should be an upgrade over the old caps that Sansui used and overall its sound quality should improve a bit... If its not sentimental,  I'd dump it... Something like an Audio Refinement Complete would smoke it.  
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,618 posts
 
If the Sansui's like an old friend that you can't bear to part with, by all means update it.  The improvements will be more to extend it's lifespan rather than quality, MHO...
For the same or slightly more $, you could update to something new(er), if you want to tread into the Bluetooth/WiFi/surround this n'that/whatever catches your fancy....since you're at a crossroads of sort....

Lots of shiny new toys out there....here...wherever...*G*

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