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My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today

206.188.229.200
Posted on November 14, 2014 at 09:51:00
geezerrocket



















I received my Sherwood S-5000 back from Mikey about two hours ago.

I unpacked right away to help speed up up the temperature acclimation time, as well as pulling the bottom panel off to vacuum remnants of the polystyrene foam from places it doesn't belong. (Check out the bottom pic - that is the inside of the bottom cover)

Mike; You forgot to send a receipt of the work done so I will leave the technical explanation to you as I would have a easier time attempting to explain a Nikolai Tesla experiment.

For now I will let it just sit at room temperature most of the day for a nice, slow warm up. It's a balmy 14 degrees today where it sat in the back of a Fed Ex van for the last two days.

I will post my impressions after I give it a "good listening to" and maybe rolling some Telefunken 12AX7 smooth plates in. It may take awhile to get a handle on things as much has changed with my system as of late to include Nordost Heimdall interconnects, Black Cat digital cable, PS Audio Nuwave DAC, Denon 103r cartridge and more......

I may do a little shootout with a Pathos, Jolida, and Fisher integrated(s) just for shits.

I have included a few pics of Mike's work.


*******************************UPDATE******************************

This little Fu%@£@ amp is amazing!!!

It has a very full yet highly detailed sound.

I have listened to;

1) Dire Straits, Brothers In Arms (sacd).

2) Melissa Etheridge self titled vinyl (Late September Dogs is phenomenal!)
The sound stage is so fu@#£& wide that It's gonna take some getting used to.

3) Kid Rock, Rock and Roll Jesus (vinyl).

It must be more than just parts swapping otherwise any dumb ass (me) could do it.

If this humble little integrated can sound this good, then I can't wait for my Audio Research SP 3a to get Samra'd.

The only thing I can think of that could possibly improve the sound would be to get Pope Francis to lay his hands on it.......

I can't wait to 50 to 100 hours on it to form those Roosky telflons.

More to follow.........

 

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RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 10:18:01
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 That thing looks new in the front and topside. If it sounds as good as it looks you can officially color me jealous. I wish I had kept my S5000II and S3000IV pair but I was rash, stupid, dumb, an idiot, a money grabber, foolish and, impetuous. Only salvation is the S9500c and S3300 sounds so good.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

It's going to be a big disappointment. So just send it to me before you even plug it in, posted on November 14, 2014 at 10:30:43
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 "I may do a little shootout with a Pathos, Jolida, and Fisher integrated(s) just for shits."

Oh yeah, after that shoot out you'r going to shoot the Jolida, pack away the Pathos and use the Fishers as your back ups.

EVERY TIME!!!!! I turn on my Sherwood I can't believe that little gem!!! And I can't believe how such a little stereo can sound so good.

Your Sherwood is pretty clean looking. Mine has a lot of wear, but I really don't care because it sounds so good.

I figured a way to add a IR volume control remote. Without effecting the sound at all.

Congrats and looking forward to hearing your review. All hail Mike S. He really is the patron saint of audio.
charles

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 10:33:29
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Yup, been there. Sold off some stuff I should have kept. I guess that will teach me to stay off the Crack! I had those "what was I thinking" periods in my life. I just had to thin out the collection and start over again.

Geeze I wish I had some of that gear back.

charles

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 10:37:23
geezerrocket
 Brian;

Don't be so hard on yourself, we all have our regrets.
Mine was a 1968 Plymouth Formula S Barracuda - Dumb, Dumb, Dumb!

Yeah, it's a pretty clean little S-5000 and I would never sell it. Partly because I would have to spend long green to get something better, and partly because I have too much money in it at this point.








 

RE: It's going to be a big disappointment. So just send it to me before you even plug it in, posted on November 14, 2014 at 10:42:16
geezerrocket
 Ha!

I checked out your link to Bent Audio in another post and I am curious.
There is just something about a remote volume really appeals to slovenly side.


 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 11:02:42
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 It got the Penske blessing..I will email that.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: It's going to be a big disappointment. So just send it to me before you even plug it in, posted on November 14, 2014 at 12:18:59
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 You use the remote volume pot as a variable resistor to ground. The fixed resistor is in the source line. Just connect the in directly to the out. Say 15-47k ohms depending the volume range you want. You can try it out by going to radioshack and getting the 1/8 watt metal film resistor pack. Start with 15K ohms in line. And a 50k-ish volume pot to ground. At least you will get the general idea. I've found my it has no effect on the sound.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - how does it sound?
email me if you have any questions.
charles

 

No me, I'm closer, cheaper shipping n/t, posted on November 14, 2014 at 12:42:23
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 13:33:11
Steelhead
Audiophile

Posts: 863
Location: AK
Joined: December 11, 2003
 Looks fantastic and bet it sounds the same.

Very happy with my system but confess I would love to score a vintage receiver like yours.

Enjoy!

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 14:12:16
tesla
Audiophile

Posts: 3180
Location: San Diego County, California
Joined: October 25, 2000
 "Partly because I would have to spend long green to get something better, and partly because I have too much money in it at this point."

Interesting you didn't mantion the sound. :)

Proudly serving content-free posts since 1984.

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 15:08:47
geezerrocket
 The Sherwood sounds great 3 or 4 hours in.

I just didn't want to give it a 15 minute go and start gushing.


 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 14, 2014 at 17:09:30
sony6060
Audiophile

Posts: 1465
Location: USA
Joined: August 8, 2014
 Cleanest 5000 I seen in a long time.

 

She Is A Beauty, posted on November 15, 2014 at 06:42:28
geezerrocket



Thanks Jim;
She is a beauty, no doubt about it.
She has a pretty sister too.







 

what are those coupling caps in the black heat shrink?, posted on November 15, 2014 at 09:16:18
gkargreen
Audiophile

Posts: 1562
Location: DC
Joined: February 5, 2005
 russian pio's or teflons?

 

RE: what are those coupling caps in the black heat shrink?, posted on November 15, 2014 at 09:50:36
Mossback
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Washington, the State
Joined: November 17, 2001
 I'm not Mike but from the looks of the tabs and the cylinder lip on each end those caps are FT-3 Teflons.

 

RE: what are those coupling caps in the black heat shrink?, posted on November 15, 2014 at 09:55:58
geezerrocket
 Russian Teflons.

Mikey said that since I have the "big" Sherwood, they were the way to go.
Who am I to argue with the master?

They are massive though.




 

RE: She Is A Beauty, posted on November 15, 2014 at 17:09:16
sony6060
Audiophile

Posts: 1465
Location: USA
Joined: August 8, 2014
 Nice combo....

 

RE: what are those coupling caps in the black heat shrink?, posted on November 15, 2014 at 23:00:38
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Randy
those are FT2 russian teflons.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 20, 2014 at 09:37:27
Sherwood Forest
Audiophile

Posts: 240
Joined: October 7, 2014
 I've seen dozens of S-5000, and that is one of the cleanest ones I've laid eyes on. To top it off, you got the early version with the bigger power transformer.

One thing I will tell you is NEVER TOUCH THE FACE PLATE PAINT!! Whenever you turn a knob, particularly the power/selector knob, make sure that your fingertips (and fingernails) do not touch the face plate. It will eat the paint right off! Never use any sort of cleaning solution either. Just don't touch it, and you'll never need to clean it.

It won't be long before the word is finally out on these amps, so you really scored. Stash away a pair of 7199s for the future, and maybe some 6P14P or whatever flavor of output tube you like. You'll never sell that amp, nor should you.


-SF

 

RE: My Samra'd Sherwood S-5000 Came Today, posted on November 20, 2014 at 13:20:32
geezerrocket






SF;

I'm running a strong quad of 7189 Amprex Bugle Boys at this time, however, I do have a matched quad of 6p14p-er tubes ready to go in. I also have a pair of NOS Sylvania 7199's.

So far I have been playing around with 12ax7's - Siemens, and Telefunken smooth plates. The Teles seem to have a little more detail and air on the top end and the Siemens have the edge in bass. Since this particular Sherwood is in no way lacking bass, I left the Telefunkens in.

The amp has about 35 hours on it so far and it is really beginning to open up. I suspect those Teflon caps Mikey put in take a bit longer to loosen up than the Russian pio's he normally installs.

Thus far I have compared the S-5000 with a Jolida 502 and a completely rebuilt and re-tubed Fisher 500c. I don't want to disparage that gear, but it was obvious to anyone that could hear that the Sherwood completely outclassed them both.

The phono section in the Sherwood is the real surprise as it sounds sublime. It has a ton of detail and depth, but only up to a point. I'll explain; The highest output cartridge I have lying around is 3.5 mv which plays fine at normal listening levels, but won't play at spirited levels. I suspect that the phono section would like to see around 5 mv so as to have more headroom. No matter, I'm rebuilding my L75 Lenco at this time to accommodate a 12" Jelco or Ortofon arm to run with a Denon 103r and a diy Cinemag SUT.

This clean little Sherwood hot rod at 20 wpc sounds H-U-G-E !! In fact, it sounds closer to 60 wpc.

Mikey hit this rebuild out of the park! To say that I'm pleased would be a gross injustice - I'm ecstatic!


I don't have enough time on it at this point to do a full on review because the speakers are new (Altec/GPA 802, Crites 1526 cast woofers), the interconnects are new (Nordost Heimdall), the DAC is new (PS Audio Nuwave), and I have some new room treatments.

Once I get a handle on things I will have a friend come over and shoot a video and upload it to YouTube. He is a cameraman for a local cable TV channel so the quality should be better than the average shit on Youtube.









 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 03:51:19
altecboy
Audiophile

Posts: 404
Location: Northern NJ
Joined: May 29, 2004
 Are these sherwoods superior to Scott or Dynaco integrated amps? What makes them so special? The iron? The circuit?

 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 08:56:37
geezerrocket
 Both the circuit and the iron make the S-5000 special, but the chassis and grounding may also be a factor. Mike, Don, Eli, or Brian would be the ones to explain as they have forgotten more than I will ever know about vintage Sherwood gear.

I have owned many vintage pieces from Scott, Fisher, Dynaco, Stromberg Carlson....This Sherwood S-5000 has been the best sounding, although I wish it had a headphone jack. I will say that I have owned a few Stromberg Carlson ASR 433's and the last one I had was a very fine sounding amp after rebuilt with new power supply, tubes, coupling caps, diodes etc.....

I have recently acquired a Audio Research SP3-a and a Harmon Kardon Citation II that will be heading to casa Samra in the Spring. That combo may, or may not surpass the S-5000 - dunno. The Sherwood S-5000 with big iron and 7189 output tubes is a special amp.

Of the vintage gear I have owned I liked the looks of the Fisher X-202-B best, but it fell short of the Sherwood's sonics. Besides, looks are a completely subjective category. I think the Corvette is uglier than a sack of smashed assholes, where as others believe they are the most beautiful car ever built.


 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 14:11:27
rosendds@frontiernet.net
Audiophile

Posts: 599
Location: North East
Joined: November 13, 2010
 I love the look of your Sherwood components.What year were they made?

 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on November 21, 2014 at 15:21:05
geezerrocket
 Hi;

As near as I can tell 1959 or 60 on the amp. The tuner is probably a 1960 or 61.





 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on November 22, 2014 at 04:45:23
rosendds@frontiernet.net
Audiophile

Posts: 599
Location: North East
Joined: November 13, 2010
 No doubt they are better now then they were when new with all of the mods.that Mikey did on them.

 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on December 9, 2014 at 07:32:59
kbuzz
Audiophile

Posts: 660
Joined: November 11, 2000

did someone say headphone jack:

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=vintage&m=215601

 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on December 9, 2014 at 12:54:20
geezerrocket
 To my knowledge the S-5000 did not come with a factory installed headphone jack.

Maybe the previous owner had it installed.

How do you like your Samra'd Sherwood thus far?


 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on December 10, 2014 at 19:43:58
kbuzz
Audiophile

Posts: 660
Joined: November 11, 2000
 yup. had to be a dealer install

 

RE: What is it that makes this amp so special?, posted on December 13, 2014 at 12:45:24
kbuzz
Audiophile

Posts: 660
Joined: November 11, 2000
 yup. had to be a dealer install

 

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