1976 Pioneer SA5300 amp

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Gray

Well-known member
It's a difficult one to dismiss when no change is expected, and credit for mentioning it!
As a Spendor owner, you'll probably agree....it's hard to believe that Spendor once fitted spring clip terminals to a model.

(For the record it was the 'Prelude' which used the same drivers as their superior(?) SA2, but was otherwise built down to a £200 price - which was more than enough for me).
 
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As a Spendor owner, you'll probably agree....it's hard to believe that Spendor once fitted spring clip terminals to a model.

(For the record it was the 'Prelude' which used the same drivers as their superior(?) SA2, but was otherwise built down to a £200 price - which was more than enough for me).
A bit off topic, but all manufacturers had to consider what they could reliably source. Just as they do today. So compromise is the order of the day, and they can’t or don’t want to engage in cabinet rework each time a fresh design of connector comes into the stock room!
 
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AJM1981

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Update: a few weeks ago the initial distortion, when having a cold start got a bit worse and sustaining a bit longer.

So I decided to send it to a specialist for a price indication and revision. Good time to change the power on indicator light as well. It will take some time because getting the parts seems to be a bit more challenging compared to other years.

So, I might be miss it for a couple of weeks or months but since it is a hobby project and not in active use, it is fine :)
 
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AJM1981

Well-known member
You should bother 😉
You can't have a nice looking amp like that with no working power indicator.
(As you were up to contact cleaning you must be up to sorting that out too).

According to the service manual, it's an 8volt, 50 milliamp filament bulb.
If you're bothered (make sure you are 👍) AND TRUST YOURSELF TO AVOID LIVE MAINS get a multimeter and look for a low AC voltage on the bulb holder.
If it's there, you just need a new bulb - if you can't find an 8v bulb, go higher rather than lower.
(An LED replacement would be better - but you'd need a type with built-in rectification to cater for the AC).

IMG_20230322_202752.jpg

Yep, finally :)

Amp came back in much better technical shape.

summary of everything since I got it
-cleaned it up
- Fresh black coating has been applied to the top cover.
- changed the binding posts to modern ones
- added jumpers to the binding posts. Speaker 1 or 2 provide 4 ohm each, Speaker 1&2 together is 8 ohm.
- technical revision solved the crackling noise
- indicator light now works.
 
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AJM1981

Well-known member
I came across a picture of the exact same model in a wooden enclosure. It would optically fit with the Denton 85 loudspeakers. Altough on second thought, that's up for debate. I prefer it without.

I see now that it is on sale for 280.

Given the SA5300 in general is currently valued between 80 and 190 pounds max, the wooden enclosure alone is worth a good 100 pounds.

s-l1600.jpg
 
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