Topic: SAKURA AV-200T Tube Amp

[buchieboy]

Thanks guys- guess il probably settle for a nad/rega prephono to pair with my nad amp and a speaker change

[balarila]

To those who have opened up this amp, may I have a bit of info?

I plan to do some cosmetic changes to it.  Specifically, I'd like to replace those MDF (faux wood) sidings with real wood.  I'll also probably replace that black box at the top with some better wood.

Would anyone know if these panels and the box can be removed easily?  e.g. by screws?  I'd hate to pry them off if they're glued on.

Also, what is inside that black box?

Is that metal Sakura logo at the front removable?

[Gino]

The box covers the transformers. They get really hot hence they are outside the chassis. I wouldn't change those to wood.

[ATJr.]

To those who have opened up this amp, may I have a bit of info?

I plan to do some cosmetic changes to it.  Specifically, I'd like to replace those MDF (faux wood) sidings with real wood.  I'll also probably replace that black box at the top with some better wood.

Would anyone know if these panels and the box can be removed easily?  e.g. by screws?  I'd hate to pry them off if they're glued on.

Also, what is inside that black box?

na awitan ng bayaw ko yung Sakura ko after i modded it...maybe 2 years ago...

Is that metal Sakura logo at the front removable?

i do not see any problem there....go ahead and do it....

to remove the top box you may have to lift the power amp board for access, i posted some photos many many pages back...search mo na lang.....

the front panel is removable, not sure about the logos...

[balarila]

The box covers the transformers. They get really hot hence they are outside the chassis. I wouldn't change those to wood.

Oh, I thought that box is made of wood.  Tapping on it, sounds like wood so I planned to use some nicely grained wood instead.

Thanks!

[balarila]

i do not see any problem there....go ahead and do it....

to remove the top box you may have to lift the power amp board for access, i posted some photos many many pages back...search mo na lang.....

the front panel is removable, not sure about the logos...

Yes, Tony.  Saw the photos you took several messages back.  I could make out some screws.  Just wanted to be sure I'm not missing anything.  Salamat!

[Wildfire™]

sa Eton (tapat ng Robinsons Galleria).. Crown ang name ng store, I inquired before about this amp, and asked yung sales lady na what if magka problem ang amp, sa kanila lang daw dalin 

thanks

[balarila]

I am presently dismantling my Sakura to replace the MDF parts with wood.

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,182649.0.html

I accidentally snapped off the shaft of the volume pot.  Can anyone tell me the specs of this pot so I may attempt to replace it?  I'd also like to know if the tone control pots are identical to the volume pot so Imay replace them as well.

Please note I have not been into electronics for more than 20 years so very rusty. All I can recall is that these pots are rated in terms of range of Ohms in variable resistance.  As much detail as you can, please, would be greatly appreciated.

Can I find better pots at Decco?  I'm not looking at top of the line.  Just something better than the stock pots with cheap plastic shafts.

[rochie]

I am presently dismantling my Sakura to replace the MDF parts with wood.

http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,182649.0.html

I accidentally snapped off the shaft of the volume pot.  Can anyone tell me the specs of this pot so I may attempt to replace it?  I'd also like to know if the tone control pots are identical to the volume pot so Imay replace them as well.

Please note I have not been into electronics for more than 20 years so very rusty. All I can recall is that these pots are rated in terms of range of Ohms in variable resistance.  As much detail as you can, please, would be greatly appreciated.

Can I find better pots at Decco?  I'm not looking at top of the line.  Just something better than the stock pots with cheap plastic shafts.

if i remember it correctly my previous sakura is modded/replaced with 100K  dual/stereo volume potentiometer alps to be exact,try eleshop or watson baka meron sila alps,i bought an alps single pots couple of weeks ago sa watson di ko lang natanong kung meron pa sila dual/stereo.

[balarila]

This is the pot:



I think the label says B50k.  Would that mean a dual-gang 50kOhm pot?

[ATJr.]

^yes..

[markcrenz]

I think jlester sells alpine pots, not sure of the value though. get 50k or lower, not higher. as i've read high resistance pots may induce more noise and taper the hf response.

[balarila]

I plan to do some soldering in the next few days to replace my pots.  My new case is also nearly done (thread here: http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,182649.30.html).

The torroidal transformer looks interesting so I'm encasing it partially in glass.  I thought it may look cool if I put a pair of LED lights somewhere inside the transformer case to make the coiled copper wire gleam a bit.

Can anyone show me where to tap into to power a pair of LED lights?  I plan to get some low-wattage LEDs and some hookup wire from DEECO to do this.

I'm no expert in electronics but I think I can still solder. Would this be an easy job or too risky for my skill-level?

[jlester87]

I think jlester sells alpine pots, not sure of the value though. get 50k or lower, not higher. as i've read high resistance pots may induce more noise and taper the hf response.

I don't have alps, what I have here is chinese DACT pot (stepped attenuator with SMD resistors). Value is 100k log. But it's not cheap

[balarila]

Thanks anyway, JLester.

The amp is a cheap one so I am hesitant to use expensive parts.  Something better than stock would do for me now.

[jlester87]

Yup, at minimal lang ang improvement...

These cheap sealed pots are ok for slight upgrade, already tried them...

[balarila]

Those sealed pots look good.

My problem is I am too far from Raon so my only source is Deeco which sells just the same cheap generic pots.

Someone in this forum offered to look at his old stash.  Hope something comes out of it.

[Nelson de Leon]

I don't have alps, what I have here is chinese DACT pot (stepped attenuator with SMD resistors). Value is 100k log. But it's not cheap

Sir balarila aka Noah  (according to Timber, gumagawa ka daw kasi ng mga boats and yacht  ). Maganda yan DACT na yan. I think you can still use that, then replace it with an ordinary pot if you intend to sell your Sakura, provided you have extra space for the DACT.

[markcrenz]

you can also try this very simple tweak to simulate a logarithmic response from an ordinary linear pot:

more here: http://sound.westhost.com/project01.htm

[balarila]

Thanks, Markcrenz.

Nice link.  Napa-review tuloy ako ng basic electronics. Buti naalala ko pa ang Ohm's Law at summation of V, I,and R across series and parallel circuits.

Luckily, a member in this forum offered to give me a spare log pot and some 9V LED lamps. This forum really rocks with helpful and generous people.

I plan to install some blue LEDs near the cool-looking torroidal transformer.  If I may re-ask:  Would anyone here know where I can tap 9volts from to light up my LEDs?

[remington]

hello av-200t amp owners...

out of curiosity and after reading feedbacks with this amp, i decided to get one. however, there seems to be a problem with my unit that i need to confirm before i return it.
i noticed that upon power up, i can hear a hum, increasing in volume for about 3 seconds followed by a loud crackling sound. i'm worried that it may damage my speakers. is this thing normal or a defect in the unit?

 

definitely there is something wrong with the unit. You should return it to where you bought it and dont attempt to trouble shoot as it will void the warranty if it has any.

[dana]

hello av-200t amp owners...

out of curiosity and after reading feedbacks with this amp, i decided to get one. however, there seems to be a problem with my unit that i need to confirm before i return it.
i noticed that upon power up, i can hear a hum, increasing in volume for about 3 seconds followed by a loud crackling sound. i'm worried that it may damage my speakers. is this thing normal or a defect in the unit?

 

nacheck mo before getting it?
try mo muna insert/re-insert mga tubes, baka may loose contact  sa pins.

[ATJr.]

bring it back...there is an after sales service that you are entitled to...

[lonto08]

Hi guys, Salamat sa mga nagreview, nadismaya at natuwa sa SAKURA AV-200T namin

Share ko lang po ang SHOWROOM namin (CROWN, SAKURA, PRESTIZ, GECKO AND SANUS)
09175091547 and 5140429 and look for Manuel / Val

May mga bumili na rin samin na active dito sa pinoydvd and so far hindi pa naman po sila bumabalik dito samin, if ever kailangan nyo po ng TUBES or Isang UNIT ng AV-200T, tawag po kayo sa number or kung gusto nyo po ng LIVE DEMONSTRATION, bisita po kayo samin.

Eto po magiging address namin sa bago naming lilipatan.

SAINT FRANCIS SQUARE, AG-005 & AG-006 GROUND FLOOR JULIA VARGAS corner BANK DRIVE AVENUE , ORTGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY.

Baka end of October pa kame makalipat, sa ngayun po nandito pa rin kame sa ORTIGAS so tawag po muna kayo samin.

Maraming Salamat Po!

Eto po picture ni SAKURA AV-200T

[m0b1u5]

Hi guys, Salamat sa mga nagreview, nadismaya at natuwa sa SAKURA AV-200T namin

Share ko lang po ang SHOWROOM namin (CROWN, SAKURA, PRESTIZ, GECKO AND SANUS)
09175091547 and 5140429 and look for Manuel / Val

May mga bumili na rin samin na active dito sa pinoydvd and so far hindi pa naman po sila bumabalik dito samin, if ever kailangan nyo po ng TUBES or Isang UNIT ng AV-200T, tawag po kayo sa number or kung gusto nyo po ng LIVE DEMONSTRATION, bisita po kayo samin.

Eto po magiging address namin sa bago naming lilipatan.

SAINT FRANCIS SQUARE, AG-005 & AG-006 GROUND FLOOR JULIA VARGAS corner BANK DRIVE AVENUE , ORTGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY.

Baka end of October pa kame makalipat, sa ngayun po nandito pa rin kame sa ORTIGAS so tawag po muna kayo samin.

Maraming Salamat Po!

Eto po picture ni SAKURA AV-200T

how about Sakura av-400?

[ATJr.]

Hi guys, Salamat sa mga nagreview, nadismaya at natuwa sa SAKURA AV-200T namin

Share ko lang po ang SHOWROOM namin (CROWN, SAKURA, PRESTIZ, GECKO AND SANUS)
09175091547 and 5140429 and look for Manuel / Val

May mga bumili na rin samin na active dito sa pinoydvd and so far hindi pa naman po sila bumabalik dito samin, if ever kailangan nyo po ng TUBES or Isang UNIT ng AV-200T, tawag po kayo sa number or kung gusto nyo po ng LIVE DEMONSTRATION, bisita po kayo samin.

Eto po magiging address namin sa bago naming lilipatan.

SAINT FRANCIS SQUARE, AG-005 & AG-006 GROUND FLOOR JULIA VARGAS corner BANK DRIVE AVENUE , ORTGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY.

Baka end of October pa kame makalipat, sa ngayun po nandito pa rin kame sa ORTIGAS so tawag po muna kayo samin.

Maraming Salamat Po!

Eto po picture ni SAKURA AV-200T

a look at the back panel will tell us if that is an AV200 or 400...
it is entirely possible that that is called an AV200 but inside an AV400,
we can only confirm by looking under the hood...

[cHiNo2728]

I've been to their showroom several times and also some of their exhibits. What they have are the AV-200.
These were my past visits, not sure if recently they've brought in something different.

[lonto08]

We don't have AV-400.

Please Visit sakura.com.ph and crown.com.ph for more info.

[lonto08]

BTW, let me correct the specification, It has 1 Active Sub Out, not Passive.

We recommend this Crown Active Sub-woofer http://www.pinoydvd.com/index.php/topic,184566.0.html

Thank you!

[ATJr.]

We don't have AV-400.

Please Visit sakura.com.ph and crown.com.ph for more info.

thought so...the ones brought in by Chino are different, the input selector is digital and does not have a sub out as far as i can recall...

so my unsolicited advise to those who bought units from Chino, hold on to them, they are one of a kind....
you are a chosen few....

for the price, these amps are hard to beat...