Pioneer SX-3800 Receiver

Pioneer SX-3800 Receiver 

Here we have a nice Pioneer SX-3800 Receiver. Produced in early 1980 the 3800 was a mid level 60 w/Ch two channel unit, incorporating non-switching/linear driver stage and quartz lock tuning and a modest 24,000 microfarads of filtering and an impressive THD @ 8 ohms >.005%. The 3800 shares similar looks still to preceding SX series with likewise RF single pcb topography. A lot of fans out there of the 3800, it drove our pair of Rti 6 like butter. My biggest impression was the smooth transitions present in the lower response ranges, effortless. 

Power Supply Assembly

Here is where my major qualm resides with the SX-3800. The driver/power supply pcb's sandwich a very thin/ finned style aluminum heatsink. The bias applications happens to run pretty damn warm on these and that heatsink is close to useless. Also, it should be noted that the foil sides face each other, relating to obvious radiant heat issues baking the joints.  Like wise the main 12,000 microfarad capacitor clamps when tightening have a small pitch to the lower flange, this contorts pressure on the joints, along with the heat and you have issues. Doing a little research on the various forums I found several other users notate the same exact issue. You will especially notice because it reduces the ac filtering, allowing an obvious AC hum into the mix.

Noted AC on hum our Tektronix 2215A scope

The lyrics here were replaced with high temp PW's and Panasonic FC long life high temp capacitors, along with ultra fast/general 4005/4148/5248B diodes. Its important to remove all the glue forming around resistor leads and capacitor seats. Some folks have updated the SR3AM diodes but I've never come across faulty ones myself.  I should note its much easier to open-book the assembly after removing the Pformer. 

Driver / Protection Assembly & A note on non-switching A/B design

The lyrics here were replaced with KT/KG Nichicons and low impedance coupling 1uf PW's. The 3800 uses a pair of dual body differential pairs (BJT). Updated were general 4148 diodes and final stage 15032/33 OnSemi's.  Also interesting to note is the utilization of non switching A/B operation via high-speed DC servo bias. This runs the driver stage with no real "On-Off" stage. As current is increased in one output device it is decreased in the other but limited (near 0 zero) due to non-linear occurrences, hence the reaction is much quicker because the device is not reversed bias such is typical in class A/B operations (on-off).

Tone/EQ Assemblies 

All the lyrics in these locations were replaced with low impedance PW's and audio grade Elna Silmic II's. When performing work on the tone assembly its best to work from top-down, removing and opening the display PCB and removing the plastic arm for the function controls. These are long angle plastic brackets so be very careful and make sure you place them prior to closing the top PCB. Now is also the time to douse and clean the phenolic potentiometers and switching type  controls. Its important to note many 3800 users have notated RIAA issues to  damaged HA12017 IC's. 

Opened Control PCB 

HA12017 Hitachi IC Note

This particular IC is used in the RIAA EQ stage and Non-Feedback pre-amplifier topography. The HA12017 was a convenient smaller package introduced (SIL) for PCB designs. With excellent low noise characteristics its a fairly reliable low distortion IC with impressive RIAA applications (OP Gain <=105dB)

RF Stages & Control Assembly

The RF stage incorporates a 3 ganged FM and 2 ganged AM tuning capacitor with a AM centered HA1197 IC for AM stage control, in junction with a 5 digit PD5009 counter controlled fluorescent display. The 3800 also involves the quartz-lock feature for stable frequency, active compensating  control to minimize drift and ensure reception. All the lyrics here again were replaced with high temp low impedance PW's for reliability. 

Control Assembly

All in all the SX-3800 sounds phenomenal short of a few minor manufacturing changes I would have made, a very nice unit. Hefty with some weight at 35lbs it retains that classic era look with reliable 1980's modern advances. 

McIntosh MA5100 Spotlight

McIntosh MA5100 Integrated Amplifier 

We had a pretty ruff McIntosh MA5100 come in a few months back after bearing some rough Wisconsin winters. The chassis had yet only minor pitting evident with the screen printing all intact and undamaged! The MA5100 was a integrated two channel 45 watt/CH sold in the late 60's to early 70's. Amongst McIntosh fans of even the neediest requirements, the MA5100 is held in regards by many.  I wanted to highlight the PCB sections here beyond the cap stuffing.

Pre-Amplifier PCB 043-723 & Filter 043-722 PCB

One thing I like about these MC's is the use of quality Mallory axial capacitors. Typically axials seem to be of inferior construction compared to their radial counterparts so finding a capacitor with high expectations an be tricky. I like the TVX axial offered by Nichicon but in this case I decided to go with the Sprague ATOM axial series which is a low leakage high quality long life axial available from 6V-500V. After trying several MKP and WIMA PT and PP type I settled on using Panasonic ECW polypropylene type films for the rest of the stage with impressive results and sticking with carbon comps.   

Like the symmetric pre-amp design, I decided with the filter assembly to utilize ECW's polypropylenes again and carbon comps. Whats nice is the ease of access here, undoing the standoff screws you can open-book the PBC's forward, this also gives you great room to buff the chassis here without depopulating the entire chassis. 

Drivers 043-724

The driver sections are a fairly simplistic push-pull topography. Again I went with Sprague Atom axial capacitors with a polypropylene ECW compliment, I preferred the ECW's to say the MKP's I use in Marantz pre-amps. The differentials pairs were mismatched due to a repair in its history so matching Hfe On Semi BC556 were utilized in place. Also noted were mismatched output devices MC#132-513, On Semi manufactures some excellent replacements MJ15003 20A/250W BJT devices.

MJ15003

PCB Assembly 043-724

Auxillary 100/200 microfarad Mallory caps for the coupling/drivers outboard were replaced with Sprague Atoms and .01 microfarad PT type ECQ' Panasonics. New #1864 bulbs were installed while we work on a proper 28V LED replacement with proper disbursement. I'm a big fan of using Flitz polish for points around the can cases, knobs and RCA buffing. Sometimes short of re-plate theres not much you can about pitting but prevent further oxidization.

I was quite impressed with the final product and will be looking forward to another, it paired quite nice with an array of speakers we tried. Each stage seems to consistently blend well with no significant lower end lag or top out. 

Adcom GFA-555 Rebuild II

Adcom GFA-555 Power Amplifier 

We received another GFA-555 with blown outputs a few weeks ago, so new output devices and a driver board overhaul were due.

As I've mentioned before in a posts the GFA-555 is an incredible Adcom amplifier. Released in 1985 it touted a stable 200+W/CH @ 8ohms w/ THD @ .003%. A overall capacitance of 60K microfarads with a 700A torodial in the chassis, rated dampening at 900<+, direct coupled topography  and initially under $1500.00! 

The GFA-555 is one natural amplifier, I had initially expected some slightly muddled response or at least..breathy. But before and after an overhaul the unit produces exactly what you want, amplification with no noted flubbered attenuation,clean power.  Im not impressed again with the Adcom pre-amplifier pairs but thats another story.

I took a similar approach to the driver assembly. The differentials in the first stage utilize common emitter 2SC2240 BJT-'s which are a great compliment, I like to use some matched 1845's for longevity and peace of mind. All electrolytics were replaced with low impedance high temps rated at 100V, I used a WIMA PP and ECW PP films in place of the originals and replaced all general 4148's again for peace of mind. The GFA-555 has a very reputable biasing circuit due to the implication of a mirror voltage circuit. 

Constant Current notes;

The GFA-555 has such a stabile bias because the main output devices (Q13-Q20 NPN/PNP) in connection with 3rd stage Q11/12 emitters to help create a simulated circuit through R19/20 to Q9/10 which establishes a constant current at R21. This is achieve through matching the devices with Q11/12 creating an established Iref (Current Reference.) Below is a standard BJT mirror bias diagram for references. 

GFA-555 BIAS DIAGRAM

EXAMPLE