Technics SU V5 Amplifier problem

[Ixion]

Hi, we have had the above amp since new, bought with turntable in 1982 to which over the next few years we added tuner and tape deck as we coulg afford along with our mortgage. It's been a great system and treated ourselves to some new j lab speakers a few years back, but unfortunately the amp keeps playing up ans cuting out the sound on one of the speakers. It would come back if you twiddled (technical term) with the input selector for the speakers, but sad to say we loose the sound altogether now. Sadly the kit is just sitting there unloved and unused due to our indecision on what to do. What we need to know is is the problem lilely to be fixable, how and by whom?if not is it worth replacing like for like via ebay etc?if not what would be recomended as next best model OR should we upgrade to modern stuff - so out of touch now! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated Cheers

 

[Sospri]

Thing is, if your comfortable in taking the lid off and cleaning the contacts which might fix the problem, could be worth a try, disconnect first and allow plenty of time to let the caps discharge.

Failing that you could get it serviced which is expensive, up to you whether you think its worth it on a 30 year old Amp.

I personally woud bin it and look to get a replacement, be it new or second hand, a trip to your local dealer could be worth a try and see whats on offer................

 

[Al ears]

Hi Ixion welcome to the forum.

As Sospri states most things are 'fixable' even amps of this vintage. It really does depend on how much you value it.

If you have any dealers in your area they could advise you of a competent electrical engineer but it is unlikely to be a cheap option.

It could be something as simple as a dodgy switch or a dried out soldered joint, but I'm no expert on these matters.

I personally would say it's had its moments and now due for replacement with a younger model.

NOTE:- Just noticed you said new speakers. Has this problem only just occurred then or was it there before you added these new speakers? Double check to have them wired in correctly. Try swapping the left / right speakers. Do you still lose sound to the same side?

 

[manicm]

Firstly we had this amp and it was great till it was stolen and we acquired its nearest successor - the SU-V4X. After 19 years it too cut out and could not find a replacement.

Check your speaker connections, check your speaker itself by swopping, or add a smidgen of suitable oil to the volume and then try again.

Failing this, yes it may be time to trade up then.

 

[audioaddict]

thats one good thing about older hifi, if youre reasonably happy with it you could find the same or even a higher range technics amp on the bay for peanuts

 

[manicm]

thats one good thing about older hifi, if youre reasonably happy with it you could find the same or even a higher range technics amp on the bay for peanuts

The sad truth is after the range the SU-V4X belonged to, the Technics amps after that, especially the 'Class AA' ones, were rubbish except for the pre/power combo they unleashed in '90/'91 (what was it called again?).

 

[audioaddict]

it wasnt the sea1000 i dont think as they came later .....i,d have to look on the vintage technics site,,,,,,,maybe a 900mk 2 wld be a good choice

 

[Ixion]

Thanks everyone for your time and replies, the problem pre-existed our new speakers and was on the same all connections, so I think it is the switch. We have had a look under the box before without much success, I'll get him indoors to have a look at the diagrams and have another go. We have been scouring EBay for a replica but they seem to be very variable in price and often pick-up only, we bid the other day for one up to £134. and then bailed as himself wasn't sure we should pay so much when we didn't really understand the true value. There is one now for £10 starting bid, but the guy has not responded to my questions re condition etc, and with only one dodgy photo I'm not keen to bid. We did look at splashing out on a reagus rio c£400, but not sure if we are overspending on our old kit, the kit we have is as follows: Technics turntable SL-DL1, Tuner ST-S4T, Pioneer CD player PD-4100 (could not afford technics at time) Jlab Chorus 710 speakers (80w)
I've seen good comments about the SU 900amk2 but prices again are all over the show.

Cheers

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

There's two SU-A900 Mark 2s on the Bay right now with buy it now prices under 150 quid.

I had one of these (a WHF 5-star in its day) in the 90s and only sold it because I moved to the US for the first time in 2000. Mine was fed by a Mission CDP and DAC and drove Mission 752 floorstanders in a 15 foot x 12 foot flat living room.

 

[audioaddict]

youre right benedict i remember whf recommending it quite often in the advice pages........it was a 400 pound amp and always being a technics fan i remember it looking very expensive back then.........it would stand up nowdays i bet as a good amp

 

[Ixion]

thanks you guys, well we've done the ebay bit, got one with remote and instructions, fingers crossed we won't be disappointed, will get back to when all set up, here's hoping

 

[eggontoast]

Hi, we have had the above amp since new, bought with turntable in 1982 to which over the next few years we added tuner and tape deck as we coulg afford along with our mortgage. It's been a great system and treated ourselves to some new j lab speakers a few years back, but unfortunately the amp keeps playing up ans cuting out the sound on one of the speakers. It would come back if you twiddled (technical term) with the input selector for the speakers, but sad to say we loose the sound altogether now. Sadly the kit is just sitting there unloved and unused due to our indecision on what to do. What we need to know is is the problem lilely to be fixable, how and by whom?if not is it worth replacing like for like via ebay etc?if not what would be recomended as next best model OR should we upgrade to modern stuff - so out of touch now! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated Cheers

Just get a can of switch cleaner, with a lubricant in, and spray the input selector switch. They are the long switches with white plastic tops and are connected with a metal 'pulley' with a plastic sheath to the input selector and record selector knobs on the front panel. The white tops do come off if gently encouraged to give better access (just don't break the clips off), just be sure not to moved the slider in the switch or the knob on the front after removing the white tops. Spray some cleaner in (don't go mad, just enough to cover the contacts) put the white top back on then rotate the selector on the front back and forth about 30 times. Retry the amplifier and see if it's improved any.

The best way is to remove the switches, disassemble and clean them and put them back together, but that's best left to a service engineer.

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

FWIW my dad had an SU-V5 he bought in the early 80s, which lasted well into the naughties when the volume knob gave out, probably because me and my little brother, spotty oiks that we were, didn't turn the volume down to zero before turning it off.