2. amps-preamps
  3. 180453-174511

Sansui AU-717

Bought my AU-717 integrated amp new in 1977. Have used it intermittently over the years and it works and sounds great, 45 years later.  The cover has never been off and I still have the owners manual.  Any reason to have it serviced?  Caps, etc?  If so, why?  And can you recommend a knowledgeable service resource in the Atlanta area?  
 

I generally live by the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy but suspect that may not apply here. 
 

 

chocaholic
cey's avatar
cey
289 posts
 

@chocaholic recap for audio electronics is like oil change and spark plugs for car. ur car may not have ever broken down, but but u still give it an oil change and new spark plugs when its time to do so.

man id luv to have one a them 717s. happy listening brother!

Post removed 
perkri
913 posts
 

The 717 is on my wishlist!

I’ve recapped many amps myself. At a minimum, get the power supply caps looked at. Electrolytics have a shelf life of between 30 and 40 years. They dry out.

I don’t understand the desire to keep these things “original”. It’s not a vintage Ferrari… As long as the caps are replaced by a tech who knows what they are doing, you’re just going to improve the sound of it. And, it’s operational safely. A big cap goes, and it can have a cascading effect taking out transistors in its path.

I recently did a Marantz 7T, and put high end caps in it. Sounds amazing! When you recap a piece, all your doing is making it sound as it did when it was new - only better because caps are better now than what they were.

I also recapped a 2230 last year, and was going to sell it, but was gifted an Ariston RD11S that I’m restoring for fun. So I’m keeping the 2230 as they are a good match as a 2nd system.

Get the 717 power supply caps done at a minimum, and if you want to keep it running for another 40 years, get the whole thing done. Do some research online - diyaudio or audiokarma - and find out who the best rebuilders/restorers are and send it out to get done right. Unless you are comfortable buying the parts and doing it yourself.

when you get it back, it will sound as it did when new, only better…

 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,931 posts
 

@chocaholic 

If you are concerned, take the top off and look for puffed out or leaking Caps. If you see something, get it fixed. If you don’t, you’re probably good to go.

All the best.

jl35
4,081 posts
 

every vintage piece I've had that sounded good, sounded better after a quality refurbishing...can't imagine all those 45 year old caps are in top shape...and like the oil change/spark plug analogy, if a cap goes, it may not go gently...so I would at least have a professional make the decision

More to discover