Pop! Goes the amplifier.

Hater

Hater

Hater

Associate
Joined
8 Aug 2017
Posts
484
Hi all,

I don't know much about audio, I know lots about music, and I know what I like.

I was using a hand-me down system that my Mum bought new when she was 18 - it was a Pioneer SA-5300 amplifier paired to a pair of JBL speakers. This worked great, I used it for several years until one too many gaffs later and one of the speaker cones disintegrated (not bad for 30 years old...)

This was in 2007 or so. I went to my local HiFi store and walked out with a pair of Monitor Audio RS1's. Ever since then... I can't complain.

Specs:

Frequency Response (Crossover Frequency): 43Hz –30KHz (3.3KHz)
Sensitivity (1W@1m): 90Db
Nominal Impedance (Ohms): 6
Power Handling (RMS): 80W
Recommended Amplifier Power Output (RMS): 25W – 100W

So, last night listening normally as I usually do, the right channel went reeeeeeeally crackly. It's still doing it now. I tried to isopropyl everything, so I went online and found the amps specs:

Power output: 10 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 30kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.08%
Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 70dB (MM), 85dB (line)

And... it's only 10W at 8Ohms, whereas the speakers recommend 25W to 100W at 6ohms...

I have two questions

1) Does running my speakers with this amp hurt them? It has been 10 years now, but I hardly crank them like I used to. I'm worried this may have affected the amp?

2) Is it worth repairing the amp? I wouldn't mind an amp with a subwoofer out to be honest, but on the other hand this amp has lasted 40 years, so surely a good going over and spending £100 on it may be a better investment than £500 on a newer amp that needs replacing every 5 years... The SA-5300 has a pair of unused outputs, surely with a crossover I can hook a sub up - Is it an option?

Any suggestions on good amps to match these speakers? I did like the Denon M41DAB, even though it's a Micro System, it does feel solid.

Only inputs are a CD player and a Raspberry Pi/HiFi Berry AirPlay combo, I never listen to the radio. Both the HiFi Berry and the CD player have optical outputs that I've never used, and wouldn't mind using them...
 
10W isn't a lot of power, you can use that amp with other speakers, it just means recommended power. Just be careful and only use it at lower volumes, or with speakers that are easy to drive and a easy load.

All amplifiers have capability to run a sub, you don't need a dedicated sub out. If your amp has L/R speaker outputs, and/or L/R pre-outs then you can use (the right) subwoofer.

My guess is output transistors have gone, I'd also replace the capacitors as well. If you want to add CDP/optical devices, buy a DAC, then route all coaxial/optical devices to that, then a RCA from the DAC into the Pioneer.
 
Seems like I can buy another SA-5300 for £100 or so, already refurbished. I wonder if there are better options - Happy to spend the money if it's worth it.

Noticed things like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-RCD...917873?hash=item2cc2b0a671:g:854AAOSwdSNZ4gQN

30W in each channel at 6Ohms, is there any point going with a full-size amp over a compact one? I had an M35, older model which I would look at again, but I noticed the new ones have not one, but two optical inputs...

Or is it worth shelling out another 200 quid for twice the power?

https://www.denon.co.uk/uk/product/compactsystem/mini/pma60

Hmm. These all seem cheap compared to what I was expecting, probably a bad sign.
 
Last edited:
Hater said:
Hmm. These all seem cheap compared to what I was expecting, probably a bad sign.
Click to expand...

Modern amps "can" be made pretty cheaply and decently - some surprisingly good stuff these days.

I dunno for sure but those look like old school carbon resistors in that 5300 - a modern amp with metal film or similar will have a much better noise floor, etc.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
i'd buy something new only to have modern tech and connectivity.

bluetooth, wifi, dlna, etc.
Click to expand...

More stuff included (that I won't use anyway) means more complexity and more stuff to go wrong.

This is the kind of stuff i'm talking about, it infuriates me with modern micro-controller electrics:

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/broken-av-receiver.18796483/

I want an amp that does one job: amplifies.

Rroff said:
Modern amps "can" be made pretty cheaply and decently - some surprisingly good stuff these days.

I dunno for sure but those look like old school carbon resistors in that 5300 - a modern amp with metal film or similar will have a much better noise floor, etc.
Click to expand...

I can spend a grand on a 2 channel new Rotel with similar specs to the 500 quid Denon - There must be something besides brand name going on there? (Could be wrong, reason why i'm asking!)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom