Stereo Artisan - Vintage Audio Workshop

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

It’s been about a month since my last update. To be honest, between waiting on backordered parts and having a few projects temporarily stalled on the bench, the momentum hasn't really been there.
But work continues behind the scenes. Right now, I’m just accessing the main amp block on this Pioneer SPEC-2 for a complete restoration while the waiting game plays out.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Hi all!
Back on the bench — and the bench did not wait for me.

Three weeks away, handling some non-electronics life stuff and waiting on parts. Came back to a lineup that apparently had other plans. Currently staring down a Sansui 8080DB, 9090, G-8000, and Spec-2 — plus a Sony TA-N77ES.

First up is this Sansui 9090 — and it has history with me personally. I replaced the power switch on this exact unit eleven years ago for the previous owner. Now it’s back with a new owner who wants it done right, from the ground up.

📍 Stereo Artisan — Brampton, Ontario | Serving the Greater Toronto Area

🌐 stereoartisan.ca

05/16/2026

Accuphase E-202 Targeted repair and rebuild update.

New replacement parts have arrived to address multiple failures within this Accuphase E-202.

The tone amplifier board has now been fully rebuilt. Leaky electrolytic capacitors were replaced, signal path capacitors upgraded with polypropylene film types, and new FETs installed where required.

Here’s what the 2 previous tech repair attempts completely missed:

The cause of the right channel’s abnormally high output level and distortion was traced to an unsuspecting component located in one of the least likely areas for such a fault—the tone control board, where the circuitry is largely passive.

A single resistor that had drifted far out of specification altered the feedback and gain structure of the tone amplifier stage, resulting in severe operating imbalance and distortion.

The defective parts have now been replaced, restoring proper operating condition and sound quality.

📍 Stereo Artisan — Brampton, Ontario | Serving the Greater Toronto Area
🌐 stereoartisan.ca

05/13/2026

Hi all,

Accuphase E-202 currently on the bench for diagnostics and restoration.

According to the owner, the original issue was a channel imbalance and distortion when the tone controls were engaged. The unit had already passed through two different shops in the GTA before arriving here.

At this stage, the condition had worsened significantly—now presenting with loud hiss, extremely high output even at the first volume notch, and complete loss of the left channel even with the tone controls defeated.

Inspection of the tone control section also revealed signs of previous repair attempts, including excessive solder application around the switch assembly, requiring careful corrective work before proper troubleshooting can continue.

Initial evaluation and circuit assessment are now underway to determine the full extent of the issues and bring the unit back into proper operating condition.