Does my 40+ year old Tensai TA2045 integrated amplifier still work?

Having finally got my hands back on my ancient Tensai TA2045 amp does it still work? Let’s have a quick look under the hood and see what’s what…

[@chevaliercognac8757]

Thank you for this video, very informative.

[@GC-xq7jp]

Interesting I had the same reaction when I curiously rescued my 1983 Tensai TA2720 amp from the loft. I broke the volume control shaft many years ago, and not used it since. I managed to get a pattern 100k control from an Ebay supplier, but it was missing the Loudness tags and thus the Loudness function doesn't work. Far more simple than your amp It has just the one IC a STK459 stereo amp IC knocking out a whopping 22 watts p/c. But connecting up to a decent pair of bookshelf speakers and a CD player like you, I was quite taken aback as to how clean and crisp it sounded and not really lacking in punch considering it's only 22 watts. I reckon a far cleaner sound than my current Onkyo Amp. Tensai was frowned upon as being a cheap Comet own brand, but it it's very well built and did/does the bizz for the £29.99 I paid for it new back in March 1983 with my first pay packet.. Have managed to find a volume pot with loudness tags, but it's going to take a month from China. Cheers for the video.

[@rusty6049]

likewise - have the TA2720 amp but now consigned to a box. Couldn't bring myself to throw it out, still looks smart. Similar view about the sound - punched well above it's weight

[@dasnutnock6408]

Blast from the past! Where’s yer Ozric Tentacles CDs?? 👍

[@newlifemarine1476]

Most of them didn’t survive the pre-move cull. I think I still have one though.

[@hifi.david.]

Does yours have an earth connection for turntable? Mine seems to be missing it but theres a hole where it was meant to be

[@newlifemarine1476]

I can't remember! And it's not accessible at the moment for me to have a look, sorry..

[@bencops]

But why oh why the input selector cable (what is it doing, does it have something inside moving like a bike brake cable)?

[@newlifemarine1476]

Yeah, it’s some sort of flat Bowden cable. I have noooo idea why, seems vastly complex (try to work out the pitch of the helix to give the correct linear movement from the rotary control to the switch!!). But that is exactly what it is. Bizarre.

[@bencops]

@@newlifemarine1476 must have been some problem with rotary switches back then maybe they would be too big for it to clear the bottom of the case ? Or too noisy or unreliable in some way.

[@miketerbrake7358]

Reccap the device!

[@newlifemarine1476]

@@miketerbrake7358 probably needs it, they will all have dried out by now! To be fair it sounds good though…