Vintage Stereo Amplifier Repair Advice

Post date: 2024-03-22 08:44:10

I have a 1976 Sansui AU-9500 stereo amp with a TU-9500 tuner (and a Thorens TD-160). They're the ones I grew up on (my dads), original everything including manuals and purchase receipt. I want to take it in for clean up and repair and need advice.

The amp probably has a sticky switch as 2 of the 4 input channels work well, the other 2 weren't working, then were, now not. The tuner seems fine. The record deck is largely functional, except the signal is getting lost somewhere between the needle and amp. I just want someone to throughly go over it, fix all the minor stuff with love and care (while idk if this is a thing, should I be keeping it original? It looks like an uncle had some parts replaced in 2011 and idk how original or not that was).

Anyway...
When I was a kid (pre-internet) I remember my dad took it in for a clean at a trusted big audio install shop with family connections. The owner said "These things have a cult following. Those that want them will just steal them. Never leave them with someone you don't know. I'll even take it home at night for you because I don't want to see it go missing."

—How much $ should I pay in to keep something like this "original"?
—Is the paranoia well-founded? An internet search does suggest some people do love them.
—I'm in the Bay Area with no shortage of vintage electronics repair. I've put out some inquiries. How much do I need to worry about someone having prior experience with this equipment versus general knowledge?
—what is a reasonable price range?

I'm good with electronics. Just don't want to fiddle with something personally valuable/irreplaceable.

Thanks in advance!

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