Chris's Spec 1 Restoration

[laatsch55]

That's a lot of parts.

 

[Elite-ist]

Yes they are Nando, and in most cases--BETTER!! Did you follow the Spec 2 thread Nando?? I did some thoings to this one I did not do to mine. What a difference, indistinguishible from a 700 till the 2 runs out at 343 watts. And it may have a slight edge till then, this Spec 2 sounds REAL GOOD. I have the same planned for yours.

Thanks Dennis. Those numbers are off a bit. Had some cable issues and was getting some distortion through my analog scope probes, fixin to repost.

Hi Lee,

I usually read your articles a few times because I try to learn from what you provide in your comments and pictures. There isn't anyone I know of who does the level of work you do on the old Spec gear. While at Innovative Audio this past Saturday, I spoke to Mark, who works there on that day. He has a pair of Spec 2 amplifiers powering one of his home systems. I always bug him about letting me know when any Spec gear comes into the store for sale, and he smiles, because he knows he gets first dibs on any of it. I feel powerless.

I have a Pioneer SA-9500II integrated amplifier. Is the preamp section similar to the Spec 1? With rack handles it would look quite similar to the Spec 1. I haven't used it in some time, but it was very good-sounding when I played it last.

Nando.

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Nice job Lee....... It's always cool to see this stuff returned to etter than new condition.

Robert

 

[Elite-ist]

I want to add that Jani's polishing work is excellent. My motto is: "It had better look good when it sounds good."

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

Thanks guys!! A ppreciate the comments.

Nando does the the 9500 have some pre-outs on it? With the current limiters set correctly, the Spec 2 comes awfully close to the K-Horns limits, and in the extreme power range may not have the headroom of the WOPL's but damn, it sounds very good to that point. I had not rebuilt the meter amp , or power supply boards in mine, and that was a mistake. The signal path does go through the meter amp board, and therefore should get the same treatment as the amp board.

 

[laatsch55]

Nice job Lee....... It's always cool to see this stuff returned to etter than new condition.

Robert

Up until 55khz it is Robert, couldn't match the frequency response spec after that.

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Nice job Lee....... It's always cool to see this stuff returned to etter than new condition.

Robert

Up until 55khz it is Robert, couldn't match the frequency response spec after that.

Lee,
I saw you note on that test however, the dogs now thank you!! (Ha, and not the one's hanging around FF in Chaska!) Did they actually test 100% of production units to that spec or just a select sample or random lot? It could be that the unit you have never did actually meet that spec.

Robert

 

[laatsch55]

I do not know Robert, but considering Pioneer's attitude about that stuff at the time , IF not each and every one was tested at least enough were to catch a differing spec trending. I suspect that the reduced response is due to the nature of the transistors used to replace the originals. It is hard to fathom the designers intent in most cases, and with the majoity of the consumer electronics attention given to non-discreet alternatives, perhaps I should be delighted with the out come. When I do the Spec 2 that is going to XXXXX, THAT will be a diret head to head before and after the work. It is the one I got at the estate sale that had less than 100 hours on it and should give us as good an idea on what the stock performance actually is better than any other instance I have had to date. It is completely stock, even down to the troublesome bias interrupt relay. Given the fact that I don't see one until they are broke, this presents a unique opportunity. The rarity of low hours and it's virgin nature are pretty unique. Should give us as good a baseline as can be expected.

 

[Elite-ist]

Thanks guys!! A ppreciate the comments.

Nando does the the 9500 have some pre-outs on it? With the current limiters set correctly, the Spec 2 comes awfully close to the K-Horns limits, and in the extreme power range may not have the headroom of the WOPL's but damn, it sounds very good to that point. I had not rebuilt the meter amp , or power supply boards in mine, and that was a mistake. The signal path does go through the meter amp board, and therefore should get the same treatment as the amp board.

Yes, it has preamp outs, and I believe I read on the internet that the circuitry and controls on the SA-9500II are similar to the Spec 1. One can't believe everything on the net, however, especially if it's a seller trying to sell their SA-9500II.

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

Can you post a pic of the specification section of the owners manual, I can compare.

 

[Elite-ist]

Lee: Here's the spec sheet for the Pioneer SA-95000II scanned from my operating manual:

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

It's got a better phono section than the Spec 1. The rest of the specs are almost identical. No sense in you getting a Spec 1.

 

[Elite-ist]

It's got a better phono section than the Spec 1. The rest of the specs are almost identical. No sense in you getting a Spec 1.

Thanks for looking it up, Lee. It looks promising when the time comes for a rejig of my current system.

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

Yes it does.

 

[Elite-ist]

Or someone who has a fetish for Spec gear can check this out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-Pioneer-RT- ... 3378fca6e4

Nando.

 

[laatsch55]

Saw that, a wee bit pricey.

 

[avionic]

Outstanding ! Lee. I'm sure Chris will be thrilled to get these two units back in tiptop shape..

The last SPEC 1 I did .I used Glenn Mcdonald's (Echowar)recipe. That was when the non-polar Blackgates were still available.

 

[laatsch55]

I still have his recipe, converted to "Muse".

 

[Web Police]

Nice work. one of these days I am gonna have to send some spec gear your way.

 

[laatsch55]

I'd darn sure work on it John.