Bought a Technics SU-8099 (aka 99A)

[Berre]

The amp costs me 100 € (130 $). Can't wait to pick it up next tuesday. I read it happens to be a rather rare model; with a solid reputation.

The current owner says it's working just fine, only a few small scratches on the front panel

So, I guess it's a good catch. It will need a bit of cleaning, obviously, probably a recap as well. Le'ts hope it turns out to be a "bull's eye".

Now, my main problem is how to tell my wife - she has no clue - I just bought number five...

My second problem is finding a service manual.

 

[Berre]

I picked up the su-8099 amp three days ago.

It shows clearly that is has been mistreated and neglected for a long time. I spent two days repairing serious defects. Tone control was out of order. I also have to replace a burned output relay (10A!), which was not available at the local shop. Obviously, the amp has suffered a shorted output channel.

Inside, the amp is one hell of a disgusting rat's nest! All parts and cables are covered with a sticky layer of tar, nicotine and dust. Prints and componants are not readable anymore. I have to take the amp apart completely and clean it bit by bit, piece by piece.

The restauration will take time and effort, but it will be worthwile! Today it already sounds great and the only way is up!

The front panel shows a few serious scratches. The only way to take care of this is to cover the face plate with a laser engraved new stainless steel plate which will cost me 200$.

Some parts, like the cap covering the transformator, the case and the base plate, are seriously corroded; so the amp has suffered condensation in a cold environment (bar, cafe, disco? It clearly needs a fine paint job.

Maybe I shouldn't have bought it, but I just could not resist the charm of this old beast.

 

[MacPhantom]

Congratulations! Extra-rare item for Europe, a little more common in the U.S. One of the best integrated amps ever made by Matsushita (in my opinion only exceeded by the models SU-V100D [Japan only], SU-V900 and SU-MA10).

Oh, and:
:worthless

 

[Berre]

Just a few pics illustrating how bad this amp looks. BTW, I did not find it on the bottom of a local river

Maybe I will replace the faceplate by a stainless steel one, since the original one displays a nasty scratch. Nowadays it's perfectly possible to have a new one cut and engraved by a CO2 laser. One can send a layout (dwg file) by E-mail, two days later the finished plate arrives by snail mail.

I asked for an estimate at a local company that provides this kind of service. They make all kinds of metal signs and info-boards. They also laser engrave wooden panels; impressive.

The new faceplate for my amp would cost me 200 $; which, I guess, is not too much for one single piece.

 

[BrocLuno]

Ouch - but it's a starting point

 

[Berre]

After five days of scrubbing, cleaning and sanding & polishing it looks like this:

 

[ryuuoh]

Nice job on the clean up. How does it sound?

 

[Elroy]

Wow! That's a pretty amazing transformation on that 8099! That is one integrated that's been on my mental list of integrated amps to buy for years. Great job! Looks like the top cover has been sanded to metal. Is that aluminum or a ferrous metal? I would think some sort of coating would be in order for that bare metal. :scratch2:

 

[MacPhantom]

Polished metal knobs?! I can't believe it…:drool:
Congrats! Awesome refurbishment work you've done there!

I didn't know there existed transistors having the label "Technics" printed to their enclosures.

 

[Berre]

Nice job on the clean up. How does it sound?

It sounds great; if only I had larger speakers ... It's power reserve is impressive.

 

[Berre]

Looks like the top cover has been sanded to metal. Is that aluminum or a ferrous metal? I would think some sort of coating would be in order for that bare metal. :scratch2:

I sanded the top cover completely, including the side panels. It is a ferrous metal; it had nasty corrosion "spiders" all over the surface proliferating under the original paint. One of these days I'll spray it with a clear coat.

 

[Berre]

Polished metal knobs?! I can't believe it…:drool:
Congrats! Awesome refurbishment work you've done there!

I didn't know there existed transistors having the label "Technics" printed to their enclosures.

Polishing those knobs is not really that difficult. I removed the original anodised layer, which is extremely hard, using 100 grain sanding paper. Then I removed the scratches with grain 600; which is lot easier, since the bare aluminium is much a softer material. Next I polished the knob with a "vintage" metal polish paste and a soft cloth.

It takes about one hour to get one knob shine like a christmas ball.

 

[Elroy]

It takes about one hour to get one knob shine like a christmas ball.

Wow! Now that's a passion for perfection. :thmbsp:

 

[Berre]

Is it a Steinway ? No, it's a Technics...
Make no mistake, this is a multi hour job. Sanding, painting (x15), over and over again. The main ingredients are ... patience and endurance.

 

[Elroy]

Too cool for school! Thanks for posting photos of your excellent work!

 

[Berre]

And another one ... (fortunately, it didn't "bite the dust...")

 

[bktheking]

Wow great work on the restore, looks nice and shiny!

 

[raider125jei]

nice restoration..i have the same model like yours here in the Philippines... i'll try to post pics when time will allow me to do so..... mine is black though.... whats your impression with your amp(sound)? did you recap it?

 

[cube-tube]

Wow, that looks great, though I'm kind of on the fence about the polished knobs. I too have an SU-8099 that my father bought new in '79. It's a great sounding amp, but it has finally come to the time of needing a recap. When time and money permits, I'll recap it.

 

[raider125jei]

i'll have mine recap as well... will just ask how much will it cost..... at the moment my amp still working ok...currently driving DYNAUDIO Audience 42...
which is 4ohms