Sony Esprit - unused clearing my fathers house

[Four Eyes]

Hi everyone hope you can help me out - I am sorting out my fathers house and he owned a complete set of Sony Esprit equipment which I am thinking of selling due to it's size. Now the thing is none of it has ever been out of the boxes due to health work and home problems since it was purchased - so all of it is as new. I have no idea how much this should be sold for and wonder if members could give me some guidance. Once I have an idea of it's worth I will have a think as to whether to sell or not and if I do want to go ahead then I will advertise here as I have heard some horror stories of the main auction site and don't want to end up scammed. I would only sell to someone based in the UK and collection would be required from South Woolwich. Any guidance you might also give on best method to accept payment would also be appreciated.

So the equipment is:-
Sony Esprit Pre-amp TA-E900
Sony Esprit Equaliser SE-P900
Sony Esprit mono amps (2) TA-N900

I do understand that the Equaliser is pretty rare in the world so will be interesting to see what the members think of total value.
If I were to sell I would wish to sell as a complete lot rather than selling in separate pieces. I have the original invoice for the Pre amp and 2 monoblocks purchased in 1985.
There are also 2 unused and boxed APM 6 speakers but unfortunately the dreaded foam rust has occurred so i gather these would be pretty worthless? All items have there original packing/transport boxes.
There is also again never unboxed or used an Ortofon MC 2000 purchased in 1987 and I have the original receipt for that as well

[Macca]

Not just the equaliser that is rare, it is all rare especially in as new boxed condition. The speakers can be repaired and will still be worth a few bob even with disintegrating surrounds. Hard to quote a value though as this kit comes up so rarely there isn't really a market price but you are certainly into 4 figures for each component.

[struth]

n 900's are good amps. think they are mosfet with a freon filled heatpipe, which is a refrigerant. i gave my esprit turntable to my mate for him helping me out. they are excellent. price? no idea as not seen them sold although they were not overly rare. would imagine the pre will be decent too

[struth]

some info on the equalizer...

Sony SE-P900

The most elusive ESPRIT unit but arguably, undisputedly, the best analog parametric EQ ever produced - by anyone.

Absolutely transparent, the SE-P900 does its job without ruining the basics of the signal it is fed with :

”The initial stage is a junction J-FET cascade connection differential amp with constant current source. It reduces the high range distortion resulting from non-linearity in the J-FET feedback capacity, because of the high input impedance and the cascade connection. The J-FET uses a dual cascade connection with excellent pair response to suppress temperature drift.

The second stage is a Miller current loaded differential amp composed of bipolar transistors, which provides high linearity response and power rejection response.

The final stage is a pure complementary emitter-follower SEPP output which provides low impedance output and high linearity response.
The buffer unit circuit allows 100% NF, and is employed as gain 1 (during DEFEAT in the equalizer stage) so there is almost no deterioration in sound quality.

Unlike any other ESPRIT unit sold, the SE-P900 was unfortunately extremely rare, even more so than the TA-E and TA-N900 ESPRIT - good things are never common.

[struth]

specs on the amps

http://www.allegrosound.com/Sony_ESPRIT_TA-N900_5.jpg

[Macca]

Absolutely transparent, the SE-P900 does its job without ruining the basics of the signal it is fed with :

.

Christ, Marco won't let that lie.

[newton]

Sony TA-E900

Sealed and potted modules, dual-mono structure, super-select componentry, 99,99% pure copper wiring, non-magnetic chassis, deported ZP-1 Perfect Balancer ALPS pots, magnetically shielded MM/MC Phono section and a finish quality to die for, the TA-E900 was perhaps the finest preamplifier ever built by Sony.

The TA-E900's specs, as Masaru Nagami's motto "only better sound matters" came in line here where the actual specs, as delivered with each ESPRIT component, all far exceeded those quoted within its manuals and catalogs.

As an indication of its extremely high build quality the 1989 Sony Esprit TA E900 Preamp had an MSRP of $3,500!

[Macca]

As an indication of its extremely high build quality the 1989 Sony Esprit TA E900 Preamp had an MSRP of $3,500!

if you allow for inflation that is about £7.5K in today's money. Which is quite reasonably priced compared to 2017's high-end active pre-amps.

[struth]

I reckon they will have to be tested etc first to get the value from them. if they have been sitting unused for 25/30 years. probably safer to run up to full on a variac, although I'm fairly sure they will be fine

[Arkless Electronics]

Personally I wouldn't touch 'em with a barge pole.... You know all those fancy devices for audio use? that are much better than anything available today but made from pure unobtainium? and which I keep banging on about and no one gives a toss but me? Well they will be full of 'em. Add potted modules for real fun.

The extra value people assign to something based not on what is inside but purely on what it says on the name badge really pisses me off personally as well but that's fairly irrelevant (ie take two top quality identical watches and add the word "Rolex" to one and it's worth £10k apparently.. whilst the other identical one with an unknown brand on it is worth say £200):steam: Ahhhh... rant over... that's better:D

[Barry]

Your comments, whilst valid, are not helpful. The only concern any potential purchaser should have is with the use of epoxy-potted circuit modules. (For the same reason why I would eschew any early Mark Levinson preamp.)

I'm sure the actual semiconductors used are still available, albeit expensive and rare. I use several items of audio electronics that are at least thirty years old without problem.

As Grant has suggested, it makes sense to test the gear first.

[spendorman]

Personally I wouldn't touch 'em with a barge pole.... You know all those fancy devices for audio use? that are much better than anything available today but made from pure unobtainium? and which I keep banging on about and no one gives a toss but me? Well they will be full of 'em. Add potted modules for real fun.

The extra value people assign to something based not on what is inside but purely on what it says on the name badge really pisses me off personally as well but that's fairly irrelevant (ie take two top quality identical watches and add the word "Rolex" to one and it's worth £10k apparently.. whilst the other identical one with an unknown brand on it is worth say £200):steam: Ahhhh... rant over... that's better:D

Interesting that you mention Rolex, I was given a Tudor and had no idea what it was for many years.

[Barry]

Interesting that you mention Rolex, I was given a Tudor and had no idea what it was for many years.

Yes, Tudor were the sister company to Rolex, and whilst they don't have the cachet of the Rolex name, are excellent watches and cost about half that of an equivelent Rolex model.

[spendorman]

Yes, Tudor were the sister company to Rolex, and whilst they don't have the cachet of the Rolex name, are excellent watches and cost about half that of an equivalent Rolex model.

It's a funny story, must have been the late 70's, went with my Dad to see an elderly friend of his in hospital. He picked up his watch off the bedside table and saw that it was not running, it was an automatic and he had not been wearing it for a few days.

When on my travels, I picked up a cheap digital watch, probably one of the £1 ones. Next time Dad and I visited the old friend, I gave him the digital watch, he was delighted, no winding or wearing needed. He said to me something like "take this old cra**y watch away with you", which I did. It sat in a cupboard perhaps for decades. I eventually took it to a local jeweller and asked if it was any good. Reply was "It certainly is". The watch is a Tudor Oyster Prince, looks very much like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tudor-Oyster-Prince-Tuxedo-7950-Stainless-Steel-/371890812354

[Four Eyes]

Just wanted to say thank you to those that have posted in reply for me - haven't been getting auto notifications through and just found the settings section on the forum to action those - Cheers

[sq225917]

That's a great selection of top notch old kit there and the NOS boxed condition will likely draw a premium, even over the same units opened for testing and proven good. Fortunately not everyone shares Jez's view on unobtanium ICs and apart from some Vfet devices most obsoleted top spec audio devices have modern counterparts, though they may not match the original part's stellar specs. Any prospective buyer knows this, it's a none issue.

[Marco]

Christ, Marco won't let that lie.

Lol, a remark no doubt very much 'of its time', when specs ruled, über-alles. Only the deluded [victims of their flawed measurist belief system] would consider such as a truism today! ;)

Very cool kit, though. The mono amps would be of particular interest. I'd suggest that German ebay is the best place to sell that sort of stuff, Mike, as they love top-notch vintage Jap gear (as do the Italians), and both are usually willing to pay what it's worth, especially in NIB condition! :)

Marco.

[Four Eyes]

Lol, a remark no doubt very much 'of its time', when specs ruled, über-alles. Only the deluded [victims of their flawed measurist belief system] would consider such as a truism today! ;)

Very cool kit, though. The mono amps would be of particular interest. I'd suggest that German ebay is the best place to sell that sort of stuff, Mike, as they love top-notch vintage Jap gear (as do the Italians), and both are usually willing to pay what it's worth, especially in NIB condition! :)

Marco.

Thanks for pointing me towards the German Ebay but not sure i would be 'brave' enough to put it on there - i have had a few scammers on the UK site when just selling things like a Juicer! With what would appear to be a pretty high price ticket would there be any safeguards you might recommend for a bit of security that I wouldn't get caught out by someone miles away from where I live. Would hate to see it disappear and then lose the money via a dodgy buyer..
Cheers

[struth]

The conmen are thinking up new scams all time alas. eBay etc are inclined to side with buyer.
Selling on a forum is safer and no fees. But you will need to drop prices accordingly

You could also try a buisness who either buys or will sell it for you for a fee

[Macca]

I would also steer clear of eBay. Aside from the scammers the fees negate any advantage gained with the higher selling prices that it may be possible to achieve on there,

[Ali Tait]

Gumtree might be worth a try.

[Four Eyes]

Yes don't think anyone stands any chance up against Ebay/Paypal siding with the seller under most circumstances!

[Four Eyes]

That's and idea I purchased a keyboard backing unit off there few years back and that purchase went though very well apart from my van breaking down on the way to collect the item - that was fun - not!

[Four Eyes]

Seems that my quick replies don't seem to link with the post I was replying to.........Sorry - I'm learning every day!!

[spendorman]

Yes don't think anyone stands any chance up against Ebay/Paypal siding with the seller under most circumstances!

Thought ebay and paypal side more with the buyer.

[Four Eyes]

Apologies you are right - got my words mixed up - eek!

[spendorman]

In the early 70's I inherited some very desirable Hi Fi from my Uncle. I still have most of it and it's very nice. I sold the speakers, 12" Tannoy Monitor Silvers, got the going rate for them then, around £150, today, I suspect they would be worth around £3,000, if not more.

[struth]

There are buttons at bottom of each post to link

[sq225917]

Double that 3k

[Macca]

Double that 3k

I'm sure that will make him feel better :)

[Four Eyes]

Wow - now thinking of all the equipment I used to see in the shops in Tottenham Court Road when I used to work just around the corner!

[Four Eyes]

Don't seem to be able to see those buttons - I'm using Firefox maybe I should try Chrome? Thanks

[struth]

Don't seem to be able to see those buttons - I'm using Firefox maybe I should try Chrome? Thanks

No it should be on any browser. Think main one is reply with quote. That should add the contents of that post into your reply. It's at bottom of the post you wish to reply to

[Four Eyes]

No it should be on any browser. Think main one is reply with quote. That should add the contents of that post into your reply. It's at bottom of the post you wish to reply to

Got it! - thanks

[Arkless Electronics]

That's a great selection of top notch old kit there and the NOS boxed condition will likely draw a premium, even over the same units opened for testing and proven good. Fortunately not everyone shares Jez's view on unobtanium ICs and apart from some Vfet devices most obsoleted top spec audio devices have modern counterparts, though they may not match the original part's stellar specs. Any prospective buyer knows this, it's a none issue.

I strongly disagree. The main point is many top spec parts DON'T have modern counterparts. Often not even anything remotely similar or suitable. As far as epoxy potted modules goes well unless Sony still has stock of replacement modules then if one fails that's it... game over.

[karma67]

Jesus give the op a break!

[Bigman80]

To be fair, while you make a lot of sense, Jez, this stuff is still worth a punt. The only thing I'd possibly suggest is putting them on eBay and start the bidding off at £0.00

This Sony gear has a lot of worldwide fans and the wider the audience the higher the price goes. The pre amp was set up to complement the Sony PS-X9 which is possibly the best DD ever made <opinion only. The equaliser is a rare as hen's teeth and will command a huge price if a couple of people are missing it to complete a system. The Power amps unfortunately aren't as valuable as other models due to less power than others and also they made heaps of them. Put them on separately and as long as PayPal is used as payment you won't get scammed.

All this info was gleaned from TVK.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Macca]

. Put them on separately and as long as PayPal is used as payment you won't get scammed.


How does that work? You receive payment by Paypal, you ship the goods, buyer opens a dispute, Paypal refund him, now you have no Sony Esprit and no money. Am I missing something?

[spendorman]

I'm pretty honest, mainly buying on ebay, rarely I have a problem buying, either not receiving the item which perhaps had no tracking, or receiving an item that was faulty, usually the supplier corrects things, but in the cases that they haven't, ebay/ paypal has refunded me even though I supplied no real proof. This could of course be used by unscrupulous buyers.

[Bigman80]

How does that work? You receive payment by Paypal, you ship the goods, buyer opens a dispute, Paypal refund him, now you have no Sony Esprit and no money. Am I missing something?Start a dispute how? Tracked and insured postage, video evidence of it working. I've sold multiple items overseas. Never had a spot of bother.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Four Eyes]

Seems as if I have some serious thinking to do here especially as I live at house number 13 and boy oh boy you wouldn't believe what luck (bad!) that has brought over the years!!

[struth]

personally i'd keep it and use it for a while at least. otherwise put it up here for sale, although I would test it all first. Might take a while to sell though unless prices are attractive. It is 30 years old so you never know.

[Four Eyes]

personally i'd keep it and use it for a while at least. otherwise put it up here for sale, although I would test it all first. Might take a while to sell though unless prices are attractive. It is 30 years old so you never know.

You might well be right - certainly better than seeing it disappear into an ebay scammers clutches!

[Arkless Electronics]

Jesus give the op a break!

The op is no concern of mine. just reporting that in my opinion there could be serious issues if it went wrong. Which I believe is something which prospective purchasers need to bear in mind. I pride myself on taking on all sorts of repairs which people have been told aren't possible etc, and usually succeeding, but if this has the epoxy potted modules I wouldn't even look at it. It's one thing to take a punt on a bit of gear knowing parts are no longer available if it is say £100... but quite another when it may go for £3K+

[mik_rik]

You could say collection only as not prepared to ship due to risk of damage /value of item[s]-insisting on payment at time of collection If winning bidder tries to use paypal [as £bay]rules say,cancel auction and relist.Simple[I hope] :) Mick

[Macca]

Start a dispute how? Tracked and insured postage, video evidence of it working. I've sold multiple items overseas. Never had a spot of bother.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

tracked can be got round, even if signed for you can claim that you have no idea who the signatory is and that it was delivered to the wrong address.

Video evidence of it working isn't any use, it could have been damaged in transit, the video may show a working item but you shipped a dud instead; lots of ways that won't hold up. You've had no problems, fine, but that just means you haven't sold anything to a scammer. As has been said, paypal and ebay will side with the buyer/scammer, that makes life much more difficult when they raise a dispute. These will be high value items, four figures, that makes it worth a scammer's time.

[Four Eyes]

You could say collection only as not prepared to ship due to risk of damage /value of item[s]-insisting on payment at time of collection If winning bidder tries to use paypal [as £bay]rules say,cancel auction and relist.Simple[I hope] :) Mick

Sounds good to me - thanks

[Bigman80]

tracked can be got round, even if signed for you can claim that you have no idea who the signatory is and that it was delivered to the wrong address.

Video evidence of it working isn't any use, it could have been damaged in transit, the video may show a working item but you shipped a dud instead; lots of ways that won't hold up. You've had no problems, fine, but that just means you haven't sold anything to a scammer. As has been said, paypal and ebay will side with the buyer/scammer, that makes life much more difficult when they raise a dispute. These will be high value items, four figures, that makes it worth a scammer's time.Whilst I see your point, I also think it's a bit paranoid. Not saying that it's wrong to be cautious though.

It's the OPs choice. If in doubt, use Audio Mart UK and HiFiforsale, preloved, gumtree. Plenty of ways to sell. I think there may even be a SonyES forum in Germany. They'd snap your hand off.


Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Four Eyes]

[QUOTE=These will be high value items, four figures, that makes it worth a scammer's time.[/QUOTE]

Those lovely people will scam for things even for £20 or so - easy pickings but little amounts add up

[struth]

Sounds good to me - thanks

if you do sell on ebay collection only, do NOT accept paypal. cash only. If they pay by paypal you have to prove you sent it and they got it.

[Four Eyes]

if you do sell on ebay collection only, do NOT accept paypal. cash only. If they pay by paypal you have to prove you sent it and they got it.

Yes Paypal definitely not a sellers friend!

[Macca]

Whilst I see your point, I also think it's a bit paranoid. Not saying that it's wrong to be cautious though.

It's the OPs choice. If in doubt, use Audio Mart UK and HiFiforsale, preloved, gumtree. Plenty of ways to sell. I think there may even be a SonyES forum in Germany. They'd snap your hand off.




I don't think it is paranoid. Check out the number of ebay sellers who will not ship abroad, there are reasons for that and one of them is scammers. There are people scamming eBay sellers for a living. They are professionals and they know all the dodges. When there are other, much safer ways to sell, why risk it?

Agree selling it on Audio Mart UK or HiFiforsale, or on the ES forum is a much better bet

[Four Eyes]

I don't think it is paranoid. Check out the number of ebay sellers who will not ship abroad, there are reasons for that and one of them is scammers. There are people scamming eBay sellers for a living. They are professionals and they know all the dodges. When there are other, much safer ways to sell, why risk it?

Agree selling it on Audio Mart UK or HiFiforsale, or on the ES forum is a much better bet

Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?

[Bigman80]

Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?They're very rare. Have a look on hifishark for previous sales. Might give you an idea.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Marco]

The op is no concern of mine. just reporting that in my opinion there could be serious issues if it went wrong.

Yes, which you've done now on more than one occasion, so any further mention of such could be construed as a 'thread crap' ;)

The same would apply had Mike just bought the gear he's selling, and you came on and similarly 'rained on his parade' about what could potentially go wrong with it, when all he wants is to enjoy himself.... Ya gets me? :)

He didn't start a thread entitled: 'What could potentially go wrong with vintage Sony Esprit gear?' He's simply after advice on how best to sell the stuff his dad had.

Marco.

[Macca]

Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?

If it was me I'd start at £10K and work down from there if there are no takers at that level. But I would sell it all separately, would shift faster I suspect.

[Four Eyes]

They're very rare. Have a look on hifishark for previous sales. Might give you an idea.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

Thanks

[struth]

i think you are over vastly valuing them, but happy to be wrong.

[Four Eyes]

Yes, which you've done now on more than one occasion, so any further mention of such could be construed as a 'thread crap' ;)

The same would apply had Mike just bought the gear he's selling, and you came on and similarly 'rained on his parade' about what could potentially go wrong with it, when all he wants is to enjoy himself.... Ya gets me? :)

He didn't start a thread entitled: 'What could potentially go wrong with vintage Sony Esprit gear?' He's simply after advice on how best to sell the stuff his dad had.

Marco.

Appreciated - thanks

[Four Eyes]

If it was me I'd start at £10K and work down from there if there are no takers at that level. But I would sell it all separately, would shift faster I suspect.

Like the sound of that could be very handy since I only have UK pension to 'survive' on!

[Macca]

i think you are over vastly valuing them, but happy to be wrong.

I'd rather over-value than under-value, you can always drop the price if you get no bites but selling it for a lot less than it is worth cannot be rectified.

According to TVK the loudspeakers alone are both very rare and highly sought after, To me that means at least a few grand right there.

[Marco]

Mike, my advice is first to try and sell it on forums, and simply ask for sensible offers (to give you a guide), based on what similar kit to yours has sold for recently (anywhere, ebay or whatever), and if you're simply being hit with 'low-ballers', take it to the likes of German ebay (as an auction with a properly assessed fixed reserve), or as Ali says, Gumtree.

Based on my experience, unless you're *very lucky*, the UK is not the market to get a proper price for this type of equipment. Most potential buyers who appreciate what you've got and are willing to pay what it's properly worth, will live in the likes of Germany, Greece, Italy or the US, or perhaps even Japan.

Therefore, you need to expose your ad to those types of buyers, and be prepared to pack the gear professionally (you've already got a head start here, as it's boxed as new, which trust me will be a HUGE selling point), insure it properly and ship it abroad, as IMO the rewards of doing so, in terms of the price you're likely to get, compared with selling it here on forums, will be more than worth it! :)

Marco.

[sq225917]

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

[Four Eyes]

I'd rather over-value than under-value, you can always drop the price if you get no bites but selling it for a lot less than it is worth cannot be rectified.

According to TVK the loudspeakers alone are both very rare and highly sought after, To me that means at least a few grand right there.

Have to remember that the foam speaker surrounds have disintegrated and i tried a chap in Russia who can get square surrounds for the smaller models but unfortunately not The APM 6. Apparently the same foam is also used within the speaker waffle and therefore even if the surrounds could be sourced they wouldn't be the only thing required for a total repair.

[Four Eyes]

Mike, my advice is first to try and sell it on forums, and simply ask for sensible offers (to give you a guide), based on what similar kit to yours has sold for recently (anywhere, ebay or whatever), and if you're simply being hit with 'low-ballers', take it to the likes of German ebay (as an auction with a properly assessed fixed reserve), or as Ali says, Gumtree.

Based on my experience, unless you're *very lucky*, the UK is not the market to get a proper price for this type of equipment. Most potential buyers who appreciate what you've got and are willing to pay what it's properly worth, will live in the likes of Germany, Greece, Italy or the US, or perhaps even Japan.

Therefore, you need to expose your ad to those types of buyers, and be prepared to pack the gear professionally (you've already got a head start here, as it's boxed as new, which trust me will be a HUGE selling point), insure it properly and ship it abroad, as IMO the rewards of doing so, in terms of the price you're likely to get, compared with selling it here on forums, will be more than worth it! :)

Marco.

Many thanks for the good advice Marco

[Macca]

Have to remember that the foam speaker surrounds have disintegrated and i tried a chap in Russia who can get square surrounds for the smaller models but unfortunately not The APM 6. Apparently the same foam is also used within the speaker waffle and therefore even if the surrounds could be sourced they wouldn't be the only thing required for a total repair.

For the value of the speakers, all those problems can be overcome. There will be someone, somewhere, who can sort it, or knows how to sort it.

[Four Eyes]

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

Thanks

[walpurgis]

Hmm. I'd love to see somebody find foam surrounds for those. Let alone make some. They could be made from the right foam sheet, but you'd need a heatproof mould to thermoset the profile.

[Four Eyes]

For the value of the speakers, all those problems can be overcome. There will be someone, somewhere, who can sort it, or knows how to sort it.

That's good news - cheers

[Macca]

Hmm. I'd love to see somebody find foam surrounds for those. Let alone make some. They could be made from the right foam sheet, but you'd need a heatproof mould to thermoset the profile.

But it could be done as those resources exist and are not scarce.

[walpurgis]

But it could be done as those resources exist and are not scarce.

There would no doubt be a demand for surrounds for these speakers. So you can bet your life no surround mould exists. If it did we'd be seeing replacement surrounds for sale for what is a vintage classic design. Having a steel mould machined would cost thousands.

[Four Eyes]

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

Hi just did a check on the ebay global shipping program and just for info their specs are

'The item must weigh no more than 30kg and be no larger than 125,000 cm³, and no longer than 120cm on the longest side. It should be worth no more than £2,000, except if you’re posting Russia, in which case it should be worth no more than £800'.

Regards

Mike

[Four Eyes]

There would no doubt be a demand for surrounds for these speakers. So you can bet your life no surround mould exists. If it did we'd be seeing replacement surrounds for sale for what is a vintage classic design. Having a steel mould machined would cost thousands.

From what I have seen on the internet when the foam was found to be disintegrating most owners / studios threw them away when they found no replacement parts were available. As mentioned there is a chap on ebay US based in Russia who can supply the smaller ones but can't get anything for the APM6 and again as it appears the speaker waffle also contains similar foam that would need reinstalling / replacement also for a total repair so even if possible would be a considerable cost.
Regards
Mike

[Four Eyes]

Hi everyone - thanks again for the advice and interest shown.

I just wonder what might be best to do - connect it all up switch on and see if it works or find an economical tester that can check the four units over before pressing the on switch! Then either way if I decide to sell I can either say in working condition or fully tested etc. Cost of testing might be a problem for me as only on government pension and things are a bit stretched to say the least I live in South London if recommending a tester.

Appreciate your thoughts

Cheers

Mike

[Ali Tait]

John Caswell is in Wokingham, you can contact him via the World-Designs forum.

[Four Eyes]

John Caswell is in Wokingham, you can contact him via the World-Designs forum.

Cheers appreciate that contact not too bad a journey from Woolwich thanks

[Four Eyes]

Hi everyone just to say thanks again for all your advice much apprciated.

I've spoken to John - nice chap - and will be arranging to go and see him sometime during the next month for everything to be checked over. He feels that as nothing has been used and being as it is Sony Esprit there probably won't be any problems at all so will post back hear when we know the answer.

I've just had an idea re the speakers as to whether the following might work.

Centre the speaker for in and out movement then get some rubber tubing maybe from a car spares shop around the size of the original foam cross section - run that around the metal speaker outside edge frame then attach and seal using a strong duck tape. Wonder if that might just might do as a temporary repair. Guess the tape wouldn't last that long but you never know and if it did well behind the speaker fret covers who would know - or care!

Regards

Mike

[sq225917]

No. Don't touch the speakers. Shagged foam is far better than bodged and shagged.

[Four Eyes]

No. Don't touch the speakers. Shagged foam is far better than bodged and shagged.

Well actually very little left of the foam mainly just dust!

Cheers

[Macca]

Still, don't bodge them. Someone who knows what these are will take them as is and sort them out, You won't get as much for them as you would if they were minty mint. But there it is. Any bodging them will only reduce the value.

[Four Eyes]

Still, don't bodge them. Someone who knows what these are will take them as is and sort them out, You won't get as much for them as you would if they were minty mint. But there it is. Any bodging them will only reduce the value.

I guess you are right

Thanks

[Dr_techno]

Very interesting post, I have always been fascinated by the Esprit range.

I have the TAE900 s/n 600001 as new and boxed !

Also have 5 x TAN900 all as new and boxed.

And 2 x TAN901. TAD900. SEP900.

Also have 5 of the wooden cabinets TAC90 TAC91 boxed and unused, probably one of the only new ones left in the world!

Hopefully will have time one day to do some photos and information.

Still looking for a pair of APM6 speakers and PSX9 turntable.

Regards

Andy in Bristol

[Dr_techno]

Hi Mike

Were the APM6 speakers repaired?

Did you sell the Sony Esprit equipment?

Regards

Andy

[Beobloke]

Still looking for a pair of APM6 speakers and PSX9 turntable.

Regards

Andy in Bristol

Your best bets for a PS-X9 are keeping an eye out on eBay Europe or Hi-Fi Do in Japan. Hi-Fi Do's website allows you to set up alerts so that they email you when an item corresponding to your alert comes in - this is how I found mine.

[Dr_techno]

Your best bets for a PS-X9 are keeping an eye out on eBay Europe or Hi-Fi Do in Japan. Hi-Fi Do's website allows you to set up alerts so that they email you when an item corresponding to your alert comes in - this is how I found mine.

Thanks

Yes always watch eBay, not done Hifi do yet.

But would like a 220v PS X9 if possible rather than jap 100v one.

Do you have any photos of your X9 ?

Thanks

[Martyn Miles]

Interesting that you mention Rolex, I was given a Tudor and had no idea what it was for many years.

To me, the name Tudor sounds cheap.
Don’t ask me why.
It just does...

My father was a watchmaker and when my twin brother and I were 14 he gave us both a
Russian watch.
Mine lasted for many years.
Timex watches he sold were very good, too.

[Oddball]

To me, the name Tudor sounds cheap.
Don’t ask me why.
It just does...

My father was a watchmaker and when my twin brother and I were 14 he gave us both a
Russian watch.
Mine lasted for many years.
Timex watches he sold were very good, too.

There was me thinking you were going to say your Dad gave you both a Rolex;)

[Four Eyes]

Hi everyone
Just to let you know i have now sold my fathers unused Esprit equipment.
Thank you all for your help and assistance
Mike

[Dr_techno]

The Sony Esprit system with Sony APM6 speakers is now fully up and running after 35 years in boxes!

Sounds incredible!!

But restoring the APM6 bass drive units did cost a fortune!!

[struth]

gave my mate an esprit tt. it is very good.. looks great that setup

[walpurgis]

Yes the speakers can be repaired, square foam surrounds are available now.

I can't guess values, but looking through completed sales of similar on ebay may be useful.

I'd think members here may well be interested, Sony gear is popular.

The MC2000 should really be sold separately.

[Dr_techno]

The surrounds are not available for APM6 bass units.

APM77 surrounds are 1cm too small, so we needed to extend them.

Still cost almost £2000 to get these 2 bass units upto spec!!!

But worth it! It is incredible how accurate and focused the bass is on these APM units.

I am designing some solid floor stands for them now.

[Dr_techno]

Refurbished APM6 drive unit.

Required a lot of work, including re-alignment, re spraying, gluing of flat cone, etc.

23374

[Lawrence001]

Wow these will be proper APMs they would have sold to audiophiles in their home market right?
Refurbished APM6 drive unit.

Required a lot of work, including re-alignment, re spraying, gluing of flat cone, etc.

23374

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[Bigman80]

So beautiful. I love the speaker. Well done for the refurb. Truly remarkable what can be achieved when you want to do it.