It's got a few issues.  Scratchy static when I turn the volume knob, but not a big deal since it then goes away.  Balance knob doesn't work which could be nice as sometimes I sit right next to the right speaker when I'm working.  (my printer is where the right speaker should be ideally...) 

But the main thing is that there's some kind of bad connection and when I move the RCA connection that's going from the preamp to the left speaker, it's loose and if it's in the wrong spot it puts a really loud buzz into the speaker.  I don't see an easy way to tighten it. 

You may laugh since that's probably an easy DIY fix, but I'm not up for a new form of tinkering right now and know nothing about electronics.

why would i laugh? i wouldn't do that. i'm still learning myself and to be honest i make lot of retarded decisions and still do dumb mistakes sometimes. mistakes are just a learning process. i don't know much myself.

anyways the volume knob is defiantly an easy fix. just have to pop it up and spray some deoxit/electronic cleaner a turn the knob back and forth a few times to help lubricate the inside till the static goes away. the rca loose sounds like a loose solder joint inside maybe. balance knob,only thing i can thing of is cold/loose solder joints,loose wire, or it's possible it's completely oxidized and maybe cleaning it will help fix it. not sure. just guessing.

Not sure u need a preamp at all.

gamma2 - active speakers


this is what a preamp does :
1. offers attenuation ( sounds like your speakers have volume control ) and if you run it from your computer, you have digital control too.
2. multiple inputs - if you need this functionality, there are limited "clean" options.
3. passive pre-amp = no gain, occassionally you need to up the gain of some sources for the power amp not to be overdriven unnecessarily. ( obvious case is phono section - the phono signal is never going to be enough for the power amp and you need RIAA equalization to bring the signal back to the original playback )
4. other stuff - dancing lights, remote control etc.

There are honestly hundreds of options out there, it would be a matter of setting a budget and finding the best (second hand) deal out there. I was recently looking at the emotiva ( http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/usp1 )  just because I think many of their products are very good value for money.

..dB


edit

just scanned agon - some interesting finds

always liked audio alchemy  http://app.audiogon.com/listings/audio-alchemy-dlc-remote-preamp

nice mid 90's looking cambridge http://app.audiogon.com/listings/cambridge-preamplifier-model-c75-made-in-england-full

possibly a shifty deal - no feedback and real cheap , but good stuff http://app.audiogon.com/listings/outlaw-970-preamp-processor-tuner

I should have paged forward - edited the first post with some agon finds, but if you want a neat and simple volume control, this NHT passive is actually very good. I use one exactly like it in my system - inside you will find 2 Jensen transformers which have very good channel tracking and it is much better than just sticking some resistance in line with your source ( stepped attenuator or carbon pot )

http://www.nhthifi.com/passive_volume_control_PVC_PC

What is your time frame?

..dB

What you guys think? Yea or nay? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ele/2886872419.html

for a collector or just a big sansui fan that looks like a good price especially for a fully serviced unit cause sansui gear that's serviced can score a good coin on ebay. to you,that depends. ask to schedule an audition to see how you like it personally. the service manual shows a pair of 220ohm dropping resistors at the headphone so the output impedance is 220ohms respectively. speaker wise it looks good for most but looking at it's 4ohm rating it seems like sign of not so well built power supply/transformer cause power is suppose to double or close to it lower the impedance.

i think you mention of maggies or something in the near future? while 4ohms is pretty easy load for just about most of these older amps i would try to get something else with bit extra headroom. the sansui probably do well with a constant 4ohm load but can run into the possibility  of running out of steam through intense dynamic passages in music and to be on the safe side.

you can find the Sansui AU-717 about same price of that 7070  and will perform overall better. for mainly speakers and tons of current reserves i like 80's yamaha gear the most. even their BOTL amps can drive 2ohm loads very efficiently. basically yamaha kept same design across the line-up but added bigger caps,beefier transistors and bigger or dual power supplies for more power handling but overall topology design was consistent through every model. even their pro audio power amps were consumer power amps in a different shell. people like the yamaha CR series and you can score a CR-1000 and even a 2020 for same price of that sansui in good condition.

the 1985 flagship Yamaha R-9 can be found under 100 bucks and very under the radar and the only true class A receiver to hit the market. very powerful and nice sounding receiver. i like it more then the CR series. i traded up my 1980's fully serviced and near mint Sansui AU-D7 for an somewhat beat up but working R-9 if that says anything and even not serviced the R-9 sounding much cleaner and had more power reserves than the sansui(i went through with the trade cause i know of yamaha's background history and reputation with audio amps and deep down inside knew it was worth getting it brought up to spec).

it overall depends what  you want and i suggest try meeting some of these people for auditioning or holding a meet or something to test everything out at once or something. overall for sansui i like the older 1970's x000  and the earlier AU-xxx series. the later AU-Dxx series are pretty good and built well but not as clean sounding and nice as the late 70's AU-xxx series. i really like the G series as well but you be lucky finding any of those at decent and reasonable prices. lot of them,even the small g5000 will sell over couple hundred bucks cause of the series and looks and of course people are just crazy.