[Skylab]

Pioneer SX-890 is just a SX-880 with a black tuner face.

 

[MattTCG]

Thanks Rob!!

 

[moodyrn]

Moody is that our guy in Homewood?

Yep, he's does good work. He's one of the one's who don't believe in recapping. But is willing to do it for 4 figures. Unlike some of boutique vintage vintage specialists, he charges only by the hour. And a job like that will take days to perform and  you're on the clock the whole time. But for basic repair work, I trust him more than anyone here in the area. He's also the only pioneer authorized service center in the region.

 

[MattTCG]

When exploring for restoration technician, one guy that I spoke with here in Atlanta said that he doesn't always replace the primary caps especially if they are still in spec and show no signs of problems. According to him, the original Japanese caps are better than the Chinese replacements we get today. 

 

[Silent One]

moodyrn, your "4 figures" reference just made me realize something. If I should meet an early demise, to whom should my precious vintage audio goodies go to? With the holidays coming and quick, this is something I need to sit down and think about.

 

[Silent One]

  When exploring for restoration technician, one guy that I spoke with here in Atlanta said that he doesn't always replace the primary caps especially if they are still in spec and show no signs of problems. According to him, the original Japanese caps are better than the Chinese replacements we get today. 

 
My old-timer told me the same thing - new ain't always better and couldn't source some of the original pieces. Been working on repair since the '60's. All my caps were visually fine and tested well within spec. And recommended I simply get on with enjoying the music until something happens.

 

[LugBug1]

^ Yup, until I see smoke.. I ain't recapping jack

 

 

[Meewoo]

Regarding recapping, there are liberals and conservatives in this thread!!

 
I don't own any recapped pieces, but I do believe recapping is the way to restore the glory of those old pieces.
 
Regarding recapping, I would rather trust my no EE background friends than my technicians. My tech will tell me not recapping since everything is fine (on spec). Wow, it's fine at this moment, but not future proof. The old caps are doom to fail, so someday some will fail. My technician will change them with corresponding fees. Then another day, some will fail again, my technician will change them fro another fees. Adding those small fee together and I think it will definitely exceed your over haul cost. Besides these financial kiting reason, recapping is tedious work, not all technician enjoy it. As for Chinese cap, you can always buy Japanese caps, no problem at all. And cap choice are very important according AK thread. And as for on specs,  someone on Ak says whats seen on test equipment can't directly reflect in sound.
 
The reasons that I don't own any recapped pieces:
1, I haven't decide which pieces to own for long time,
2, couldn't find some one locally for good work and reasonable price,
3, Most importantly, I still hope that one day I can do it myself.
 
Again, I am supporting recapping!

 

[DefQon]

Thats why I only recap with NOS equivalents it's not worth recapping using quality US, German or Japanese made boutique caps in most cases and it's not worth recapping with $0.05 Jaycar Jamicons and other generic brand caps.

 

[moodyrn]

  moodyrn, your "4 figures" reference just made me realize something. If I should meet an early demise, to whom should my precious vintage audio goodies go to? With the holidays coming and quick, this is something I need to sit down and think about.

I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this. I know for a fact, if I kick the bucket anytime soon, all of my gear will be listed on ebay before I'm even in the ground courtesy of my lovely wife.
 
I will admit, I use to be of the camp "replace caps only as needed". But after owning my first completely recapped piece of gear(sansuii 9090db) I have completely changed my stance on that. Although the guy went a lot further than recapping including resistors, diodes, etc....I was completely blown away. And as of today, my restored 500c and 9090db stands out from anything I've owned(with the exception of the 907 which has been only serviced with a few caps replaced).
 
That list includes....sx1010, au-517, au-11000, au-9500(probably to most fun sounding amp), sx1280, kr-9600, 2325, 2330B, x100c(partially restored), and a few other midlevel pieces.

 

[Silent One]

   
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this. I know for a fact, if I kick the bucket anytime soon, all of my gear will be listed on ebay before I'm even in the ground courtesy of my lovely wife.
 
I will admit, I use to be of the camp "replace caps only as needed". But after owning my first completely recapped piece of gear(sansuii 9090db) I have completely changed my stance on that. Although the guy went a lot further than recapping including resistors, diodes, etc....I was completely blown away. And as of today, my restored 500c and 9090db stands out from anything I've owned(with the exception of the 907 which has been only serviced with a few caps replaced).
 
That list includes....sx1010, au-517, au-11000, au-9500(probably to most fun sounding amp), sx1280, kr-9600, 2325, 2330B, x100c(partially restored), and a few other midlevel pieces.

And I'd help her... of course 

 under the guise of honoring you, and I'd click "BUY IT NOW!"
 
Honestly, I was open-minded about the whole affair during the wait. Then 4-6 weeks later, came a whopping estimate of ("Let's see, Fully restored Sansui or Pre-Owned BMW?").

 

[harrinj]

I thought I'd try my HE-500's with my Marantz 2220B today and I discovered that they go pretty sweet together! I remember the 2220B sounding dull and lifeless with my K702's. My 2020B was basically new in the box and mint, It's like time forgot it because even the lights shine like brand new the paper is perfect. 

 

[Skylab]

Regarding recapping, there are liberals and conservatives in this thread!!

I don't own any recapped pieces, but I do believe recapping is the way to restore the glory of those old pieces.

Regarding recapping, I would rather trust my no EE background friends than my technicians. My tech will tell me not recapping since everything is fine (on spec). Wow, it's fine at this moment, but not future proof. The old caps are doom to fail, so someday some will fail. My technician will change them with corresponding fees. Then another day, some will fail again, my technician will change them fro another fees. Adding those small fee together and I think it will definitely exceed your over haul cost. Besides these financial kiting reason, recapping is tedious work, not all technician enjoy it. As for Chinese cap, you can always buy Japanese caps, no problem at all. And cap choice are very important according AK thread. And as for on specs,  someone on Ak says whats seen on test equipment can't directly reflect in sound.

The reasons that I don't own any recapped pieces:
1, I haven't decide which pieces to own for long time,
2, couldn't find some one locally for good work and reasonable price,
3, Most importantly, I still hope that one day I can do it myself.

Again, I am supporting recapping!

EXCELLENT post.

I would also add, as I have said before, that unless someone can do the recap themselves, it really only makes sense to recap higher-end/closer to TOTL pieces. For less expensive pieces, it's more sensible to clean them and then just use them up until they go bad, and then replace.

 

[Meewoo]

EXCELLENT post.

I would also add, as I have said before, that unless someone can do the recap themselves, it really only makes sense to recap higher-end/closer to TOTL pieces. For less expensive pieces, it's more sensible to clean them and then just use them up until they go bad, and then replace.

As always +1!!
 
TOTL or emotion attached pieces are collectable.
 
Middle to low end models (except some gems like Marantz 2030,  1060 etc)are just toys. They aren't worth having recapped.

 

[DefQon]

As always +1!!

TOTL or emotion attached pieces are collectable.

Middle to low end models (except some gems like Marantz 2030,  1060 etc)are just toys. They aren't worth having recapped.

Not true especially from a collectors point of view, if its bad and you like it you fix it regardless of whether or not its low end, mid fi,crap fi or high fi.