Servicing Pioneer A-400

[Artifolk]

I decided to dig my old (got to be 20 years) Pioneer A-400 out of the loft, to my amazement it all still works (sounds a little dull though) so i thought i'd get it serviced, and use it with my Laptop, Dacmagic, and some real nasty Mission 754's(also in the loft) in the Drawing room.

Where or whom do i get to service it?
Is it worth getting serviced?

Thanks

[jandl100]

Hi Charles - I'd say it wasn't worth getting it serviced.

Spend the same sort of money on a new T-amp (£60 or so), which has vastly superior sound to an A400, imho. Job done. :)

I can loan you a little TA2020 chip t-amp if you want to try one out.

[StanleyB]

If it is sounding dull, then just keep it on and playing on a very low volume for a couple of days. The electrolytic caps have probably gone a bit solid over all these years. They need burning in again till the electrolyte has gone fluid again. Servicing the amp won't make it sound any better.

[jandl100]

Hey, top tip, Stan :thumbsup: - I didn't know that!

[StanleyB]

The same applies to speakers by the way. Dried up electrolytics should be allowed to become fluid again at a slow pace. If you subject them to heavy usage straight away the casing can burst open. That's one reason why you find leaking caps in many amps that have not been used for a while and are suddenly frogmarched into full and active service.

[Artifolk]

Something i didn't know either.

Ok, so lets say i decide to go down the T amp route, just had a quick look on Fleabay and the myriad of amps is just so confusing. + most seem to be from China. What makes do i need to lookout for?

Thanks for the offer Jerry, I'd like to look into these amps a little further before i commit. but will keep it in mind.

Ps.. Most things from China I've come into contact with through work usually fall to pieces or stop working within a year....Terrible Quality Control. :)

[StanleyB]

Go with the T amp that Jerry recommends. That way you know that he has given it a proper audition and comparison against the high-end gear he owns:).

By the way, many years ago when Jerry visited me I showed him a T-amp that I was working on, but ended up passing on to my business partner to sell under his brand name. The T=amp market was in its infancy then. Had I known how big that market would have grown to by now, I could have been a major player :doh:.

[RichB]

I also have an A400 used in my spare room linked to an old computer... God bless this amp, 20 years of loyal service, its a bit beaten up now having seen countless student parties and several homes over that time but it still runs fine.

These days the volume pot is v crackly and sometimes cuts out in places but i'm putting that down to dust and is ok assuming i dont adjust it too often!

I recently enquired as to the cost of a service for the amp from Lintone audio in Gateshead, their repair guy was helpful and quoted me around £60-70. The same amount as a good t-amp it seems. Didnt think it was worth it so I'll keep running it til it finally dies and then probably pick up a t-amp/dac combo.

My only concern with em is they may be light on wattage compared to a trooper like the A400, not that i ever push it to its limits but its nice to have the occasional blast (halfway on the dial is sufficent)

Speakers are 20 year old Mission 760SE and i'd be interested in knowing how a t-amp would sound with em or if much better could be had for little money. Say £150-£200 for amp, speakers and cables. I'm guessing whafedale diamonds or similar

[jandl100]

Something i didn't know either.

Ok, so lets say i decide to go down the T amp route, just had a quick look on Fleabay and the myriad of amps is just so confusing. + most seem to be from China. What makes do i need to lookout for?

Thanks for the offer Jerry, I'd like to look into these amps a little further before i commit. but will keep it in mind.


Commit?
Well, you're just committing to a few £ in postage! :)

If you want the best transparency then go for a TA2020 t-amp - imho this one is great http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180777826514?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

And you can send it back for a refund if you don't agree with me. Great seller - a really nice and helpful guy. :thumbsup:

You can get more power from other t-amps, but you won't get the same degree of transparency, imo. If the power is sufficient, and my guess is it will be, then it's a great buy.

[Audioman]

I

These days the volume pot is v crackly and sometimes cuts out in places but i'm putting that down to dust and is ok assuming i dont adjust it too often!



My 400X has gradualy developed the same issue. This fault which mainly is over the 8 to 12 o'clock range is responsible for exagerating a slight hum from my universal player. Any tips on fixing the volume pot would be appreciated. When I replace the amp would like to keep it as a back up. In terms of resale value it isn't worth paying for repairs I think.

I do remain sceptical that a T amp is going to sound better. If anyone is interested in this route (for cheapness) rather than a good analogue amp TNT Audio have reviewed quite a few T-amp variants of better quality.

[Reid Malenfant]

Get yourself some super servisol (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SERVISOL-SUPER-10-SWITCH-AND-CONTACT-CLEANER-FREE-P-P-/300591365986?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item45fca43f62), spray it into the pot & give it a good giggling from full to minimum volume & back again numerous times & it'll come good again.

If you can't find super servisol switch cleaning lubricant then try WD40, it appears to work just as well ;)

[Audioman]

Get yourself some super servisol (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SERVISOL-SUPER-10-SWITCH-AND-CONTACT-CLEANER-FREE-P-P-/300591365986?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item45fca43f62), spray it into the pot & give it a good giggling from full to minimum volume & back again numerous times & it'll come good again.

If you can't find super servisol switch cleaning lubricant then try WD40, it appears to work just as well ;)

Thanks for the tip. Just ordered some and sensible price. Not keen on WD 40 for electrics as it's got silicone which can migrate.

[Canetoad]

Hi Charles - I'd say it wasn't worth getting it serviced.

Spend the same sort of money on a new T-amp (£60 or so), which has vastly superior sound to an A400, imho. Job done. :)

I can loan you a little TA2020 chip t-amp if you want to try one out.

Hi Jerry, I'd like to take you up on that offer if nobody else is interested. I wanted to see how well a T-amp would drive a set of Wharfedale Diamond 9.0s (86dB) before committing to buying one.

PM me if it's OK. :)

[jandl100]

No problem, Bernie. PM on its way. :)

[wiicrackpot]

O.K. due to reading Jerry's thread here and elsewhere, i have committed myself buying from the link, hope it's better 2nd time round as i bought one (Kama Bay jobbie)on the recommendation from a Wam thread couple of years ago and it was utter shite.

Fingers cross.

[jandl100]

:eek:

It's not the same amp, I hope? - otherwise what's the point? :scratch:

If you'd tried one of those TA2024 Sonic Link t-amps, for example, then yes, the Mini-T is a very different beast, and vastly superior.

[wiicrackpot]

Jerry, it was one of these albeit the older version but same Yammy chipset newer case thats all,http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scythe-SDA35-1000-BK-KAMA-BAY-AMP-Mini-Amplifier-Black-/270716511823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f07f6264f#ht_2513wt_915
....biiiiiig mistake, here's hoping, if i don't get on with it at least i've got 7 days to return it.

[jandl100]

Yamaha chip? ... hmm, I've no idea what that is.

Likelihood is it is a very different beastie to the TA2020 in the Mini-T ... so, yep, fingers crossed!

[Artifolk]

Jerry

Sorry if that came across confrontational,that was not my intention.

Been reading your reviews etc on the thread on wigwam, and have decide for the measly £60+ to get one.

Thank you again for the offer

Happy New Year.

[wiicrackpot]

Jerry

Sorry if that came across confrontational,that was not my intention.

Been reading your reviews etc on the thread on wigwam, and have decide for the measly £60+ to get one.

Thank you again for the offer

Happy New Year.
Same here, been following the thread in the Wam, having been bitten once so keep saying to myself 'ignore', well this is the final nudge i needed. :rolleyes:

Jerry pal !! you've a lot resting on your shoulders mate if this doesn't go to plan, i might be tempted to chip in on the Wam thread and saying you're talking shite.:lol:

wii.

[jandl100]

Same here, been following the thread in the Wam, having been bitten once so keep saying to myself 'ignore', well this is the final nudge i needed. :rolleyes:

Jerry pal !! you've a lot resting on your shoulders mate if this doesn't go to plan, i might be tempted to chip in on the Wam thread and saying you're talking shite.:lol:

wii.

Ah, but lots of folks also said I was spot-on. ;) ... they tended to be the quieter ones who were just listening anew to their music collection rather than mouthing off about kit they probably hadn't heard anyway! :eyebrows:

[jandl100]

Jerry

Sorry if that came across confrontational,that was not my intention.

Been reading your reviews etc on the thread on wigwam, and have decide for the measly £60+ to get one.

Thank you again for the offer

Happy New Year.

No no - it didn't come across as confrontational at all. Just a bit .... strange .... ;)

And Happy New Year to you, too, Charles.


.... I await your thoughts on the Mini-T with some trepidation. But you can always send it back. :)

[wiicrackpot]

Ah, but lots of folks also said I was spot-on. ;) ... they tended to be the quieter ones who were just listening anew to their music collection rather than mouthing off about kit they probably hadn't heard anyway! :eyebrows:
Too true Jerry, i just waded through all that was said and kept stumpf.:)

Looking back on the Scythe, the omen was bad when the 1st sample didn't even power up, the 2nd sample worked but it sounded bright, lightweight, one dimensional and underpowered and i don't listen at headbanging levels, it was just rubbish:doh:

p.s.i've still got it somewhere in it's box totally complete, if anyone would like a shot i could send it on one condition, i don't want it back.

wii.

[jandl100]

Hi Jerry, I'd like to take you up on that offer if nobody else is interested. I wanted to see how well a T-amp would drive a set of Wharfedale Diamond 9.0s (86dB) before committing to buying one.

PM me if it's OK. :)

Calling Bernie ... Calling Bernie ...

Have you seen my last PM? I've not had a reply. :)

[Canetoad]

Jerry, I'm sure I replied to your last PM. I'll check. :doh:

I resent the previous PM. Is your mailbox full?

[jandl100]

I think you missed the gist of my last PM - I've re-sent a slightly better phrased version!

[Canetoad]

Sorry Jerry, I didn't realise you were expecting an immediate reply. I have sent you another PM.

[Artifolk]

Mini T is now on its way, looking forward to seeing what this little baby can do... i do know one thing.

More free space on my desk :lol:

[Jac Hawk]

Bit late to this thread but here we go.

You'll find the service manual for the A300 and A400 in the library, along with the user guide. Mark (reid malenfant) is right a tin of servisol will get the pots crackle free in no time, also this is a cracking little amp for upgrading, start with the smoothing caps and put in a Schottky bridge rectifier, then twiddle with the bias, and you will be amazed at how good this amp actually is, it's only weakness is it's phono stage, but hey it's an 80's amp and CD was the way forward apparently.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Thanks for plugging the AoS Library Mike!