Happy New Year, everyone. I hope that the holiday period went well for you.
I’ve been busy doing major workshop tidy-ups, specifically the main one I call workshop #2, and my original, internal workshop #1, which has been offline for several years due to the need for a major tidy-up.
Details of this sort of thing can be found on my news page, but for those interested, here are a few more images and why I always need a complete break over this Christmas and New Year period. Have I had a holiday? Not really. Do I still need one? You bet!
Workshop #1
I didn’t take a before photo, unfortunately, but this is during the reorganisation of workshop #1. Here, I’m going through a ton of test and measurement equipment, everything came down and out, was dusted and relocated. I also routed new power to everything and moved out some pieces I rarely use.And this is after reorganising most of it. I’ve further changed things since, but this gives you a better idea of the improved neatness and access to this bench space I now have.This is currently how things look in here. This is a huge improvement and great for when I want to work inside, like when it’s brutally hot, for example. There is more to do, but not much more. The lighting is not as good in here, lacking the high-CRI studio lights I have in workshop #2, but this one is better set up for smaller work and work needing specific test and measurement equipment beyond various multimeters, my wonderful Hewlett-Packard HP4263A LCR meter and my Tektronix digital scope.And a front view, after a bit of additional equipment reorganisation. Note my collection of Tektronix 7000 series scope and 500 series frame plugins, top left! Not sure if I’ll keep the monitor here, and definitely need to ditch the old Windows PC. Do I have a test and measurement equipment ‘problem’? For sure.
Workshop #2
Every year, I have to get in here and thoroughly tidy things up after working on several hundred pieces of equipment, and this year was no different. In all honesty, I have to get rid of a ton of gear I don’t have time to fix, so there may be some bargains coming up.
Lord have mercy, yes, a big tidy-up is needed here…Much better, we are getting there, with two new rugs, dozens of things moved…And after even more workNothing escaped my attention, including this important shelving with soldering rework equipment, AU-317 test amplifier, beloved HP 4263A LCR meter, Wiha screwdrivers, chem, lubricants, etc…And one of my storage bays for customer equipment, here, after receiving new carpet and a thorough clean. I installed this heavy-duty commercial shelving some years ago, (six, I think), and it is incredibly robust. Each level is good for a couple of hundred kilograms. I have four bays like this and more under-bench equipment storage.
Test & Measurement Equipment
This is the special nerds section, for folks like me, and no hi-fi gear this time. Many will know that I have an amazing collection of beautiful and what was extraordinarily expensive test and measurement equipment, and a bunch of wonderful radios that needed to be rearranged, relocated, etc. I absolutely love this stuff, and some of it received a little attention, too, over the break.
I recommissioned my Tektronix 2245A oscilloscope for use after years of inactivity. If you know about Tektronix, you know, but let’s just say that Tektronix is to test and measurement equipment what Accuphase is to hi-fi gear. If you know, you know..!Another of my beloved Tek scopes, this 400MHz (real analog bandwidth, no aliasing BS) 2465B is the most expensive integrated analog scope they ever made at $13,000 USD when new in 1992, and no, I’m not kidding! Oh, and that 400MHz rating is conservative. These things can trigger up to 800 or 900MHz and show waveforms over 500MHz. Keeping them alive is a labour of love, though, and I restored this unit 7 or 8 years ago. I also have my much-used and loved 2246, which I bought as NOS in maybe 2010. I love these things so much it’s hard to convey! I’ve got another four or five really good Tek and HP oscilloscopes too, in reserve, I guess…One of my favourite pieces is this Philips PM 6654C high-resolution counter timer. I calibrate this using a GPS disciplined 10MHz reference, and it can yield 9-digit resolution with just 1 second of measurement time, which is extraordinary. These things cost the earth new, but now are sensibly priced for such a high-resolution instrument. Hopefully, it goes without saying that all of this premium equipment makes Siglent and Rigol look like the cheap substitutes they really are.And in my top 3 favourites, this Tektronix SG 505 / AA 501 distortion analysis test-set, in a beautiful Tek TM 503 frame. I love these two, the SG 505 outputs signals with less than 0.0008% distortion, from 20Hz to 20kHz, quite an achievement even now. The AA 501 has residual distortion of less than 0.0018%, again superb. My SG 505 is the rare optioned-up version with IMD measurement and adjustable source impedance, which is very useful. The build quality of these plugs and frames is superb.I also have a full set, plus a couple of extras, of the rare and collectible Tektronix oscilloscope calibration plugins – TG 501, SG 503 and PG 506, in another TM 503 frame. Again, if you know, you know, but this stuff is incredible, and I’ve collected it all over 20 years. Tektronix was THE leader in the test equipment field, along with Hewlett-Packard/HP/Agilent. Almost nothing is made like this now, and certainly nothing that I could ever afford.And last but definitely not least, my favourite shortwave receiver is this pristine JRC NRD-515 acquired in 2025. Classic, Cold War styling, an incredibly tactile user experience and amazing reception and features. This is my favourite radio, for sure. I can’t tell you what a joy it is to use and how superbly well-made it is.
Repairs
I’ll have more articles and repairs coming soon, folks, but I’m feeling a little worn out at the moment, so be patient with me if I’ve yet to look at or finish something for you. I’m going to try to pace myself better this year, with fewer bookings and a reduced number of highly involved technical jobs. This will frustrate some, but balance is the key.
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13 thoughts on “Major Workshop Tidy-Ups!”
Frank Augello
Hey Liquid Mikey,
Remember you need time like at least three deep weeks of restoration for yourself. You know; no calls, no texts, repairs, calls, ‘clean-ups’ or site stuff just your version of chill and everyone else can %6**_@coff. (Except the people you love!)
See CT Larsson on youtube on this he’s got a really good podcast to cross reference with and compare your status as a high functioning human being, (and just ignore the crypto stuff that I am into).
Anyways maybe I would like to make some meaningful contact towards the end of 2026.
Have a great year.
🙂
Very wise words, Frank, thank you and you too! Thanks for your ongoing support, and any help you need, or to make contact for a chat, just let me know.
Hi Mikey,
Hey dude yes lots of water under the bridge since I signed up and I still feel the karma but you still make great content (thank-you) that is relevant, considered and really helpful for noobs like me or for technical dudes/dudettes. That being said, I still think there is an abusive group/group of responders seeking information transfer leveraging you and your special skills and transparency and which I love anyways but maybe there should be; (time for a protective bot for your site?), sorry I’m just saying.
So, I have been so focused on my skills and my role that I have had little time to enjoy music and my system for too long BUT;
I am off with family to Japan this year (2026) and I am so excited for crazy opportunities like LP’s, amps, guitars, turntables, cartridges, manga’s, yakuza! but oh gee mikey I have saved my arse off and i have around 19K aud and am getting super excited. So really keen to have you as a friend and advisor by my side to stop me effing up when looking at the amazing tokyo market. So I am think I am looking for a accuphase c290V or 290L preamp with which I believe will be better than my Parasound JC 2 which I love for its transparency but maybe not so much for the musical/emotional connection which is what I want
Hi Frank, thanks for that, and don’t worry, I’ve tightened the boundaries around folks who’ve not done the right thing. A handful have been a real pain in the arse, but the flipside is the overwhelming majority who are a pleasure to work with. Entitlement is the problem. Give me a call to discuss preamps and related. Something like a C-290V is so far ahead of Parasound anything that they may as well be from different universes. By the way, you mustn’t feel obliged to maintain that monthly subscription. In fact, I’d feel better if you cancelled it, you’ve contributed enough!!
Hi Mikey,
Hey dude yes lots of water under the bridge since we and we observed I feel the karma but you still make great content (thank-you) that is relevant, considered and really helpful for noobs like me or for technical dudes/dudettes. That being said, I still think there is an abusive group/group of responders seeking information transfer leveraging you and your special skills and transparency and which I love anyways but maybe there should be; (time for a protective bot for your site?), sorry I’m just saying.
So, I have been so focused on my skills and my role that I have had little time to enjoy music and my system for too long BUT;
I am off with family to Japan this year (2026) and I am so excited for crazy opportunities like LP’s, amps, guitars, turntables, cartridges, manga’s, yakuza! but oh gee mikey I have saved my arse off and i have around 19K aud and am getting super excited. So really keen to have you as a friend and advisor by my side to stop me effing up when looking at the amazing tokyo market. So I am think I am looking for a accuphase c290V or 290L preamp with which I believe will be better than my Parasound JC 2 which I love for its transparency but maybe not so much for the musical/emotional connection which is what I want
Since I did not learn electronics in the military (I really kick myself now,) how is the best way to learn to do basic repairs? I am way too old to go back to college. It’s really becoming a lost art.
Thanks Brock, and that’s a good question. There are various online courses you could search for and try. Various community and TAFE colleges bridge the gap between school and university and offer less onerous in-person and online courses. There are lots of great books, like the classic Art of Electronics, that will be very helpful on the journey. As a general rule, with repairs, one wants to first learn how to solder and desolder properly. Then, when working with electronics, the golden rule: “Thou shalt test voltages” must never be forgotten. You want to gather a few decent bits of gear, like proper soldering tools, Hakko is what I recommend, a good pair of multimeters, Fluke or similar, and some test leads. Then, pick or collect some broken pieces of equipment and see if you can fix them without help. This builds self-reliance and confidence.
Thanks Mike. I’ve been collecting books and gear for the past few years, but I have yet to make a repair (I’m getting close.) I am going slow because I am interested in working on tube gear and the voltages are deadly.
I have a Fluke 87V, Hakko iron, Siglent oscilloscope, a panasonic signal generator, a nice variac, various electronics pliers and side cutters, etc. I hear I should have a good isolation transformer, a dim bulb tester, and a capacitor discharge tool. Do you have any other recommendations? Sorry, I know we are getting a bit off topic for your post.
No problem, Brock. A good ESR or LCR meter is a must, and I would recommend a good analog scope over the Siglent, but at least you have something, so this is a good start. The other bits and pieces sound good, though you need a desoldering tool. The best is a desoldering gun, but braid works well as a substitute. The key now is to dive in and start fixing things, but starting with tube gear is not a good idea, precisely for the reason you mention. I’d start with some simple, solid-state gear.
Hey Liquid Mikey,
Remember you need time like at least three deep weeks of restoration for yourself. You know; no calls, no texts, repairs, calls, ‘clean-ups’ or site stuff just your version of chill and everyone else can %6**_@coff. (Except the people you love!)
See CT Larsson on youtube on this he’s got a really good podcast to cross reference with and compare your status as a high functioning human being, (and just ignore the crypto stuff that I am into).
Anyways maybe I would like to make some meaningful contact towards the end of 2026.
Have a great year.
🙂
Very wise words, Frank, thank you and you too! Thanks for your ongoing support, and any help you need, or to make contact for a chat, just let me know.
Hi Mikey,
Hey dude yes lots of water under the bridge since I signed up and I still feel the karma but you still make great content (thank-you) that is relevant, considered and really helpful for noobs like me or for technical dudes/dudettes. That being said, I still think there is an abusive group/group of responders seeking information transfer leveraging you and your special skills and transparency and which I love anyways but maybe there should be; (time for a protective bot for your site?), sorry I’m just saying.
So, I have been so focused on my skills and my role that I have had little time to enjoy music and my system for too long BUT;
I am off with family to Japan this year (2026) and I am so excited for crazy opportunities like LP’s, amps, guitars, turntables, cartridges, manga’s, yakuza! but oh gee mikey I have saved my arse off and i have around 19K aud and am getting super excited. So really keen to have you as a friend and advisor by my side to stop me effing up when looking at the amazing tokyo market. So I am think I am looking for a accuphase c290V or 290L preamp with which I believe will be better than my Parasound JC 2 which I love for its transparency but maybe not so much for the musical/emotional connection which is what I want
Hi Frank, thanks for that, and don’t worry, I’ve tightened the boundaries around folks who’ve not done the right thing. A handful have been a real pain in the arse, but the flipside is the overwhelming majority who are a pleasure to work with. Entitlement is the problem. Give me a call to discuss preamps and related. Something like a C-290V is so far ahead of Parasound anything that they may as well be from different universes. By the way, you mustn’t feel obliged to maintain that monthly subscription. In fact, I’d feel better if you cancelled it, you’ve contributed enough!!
Hi Mikey,
Hey dude yes lots of water under the bridge since we and we observed I feel the karma but you still make great content (thank-you) that is relevant, considered and really helpful for noobs like me or for technical dudes/dudettes. That being said, I still think there is an abusive group/group of responders seeking information transfer leveraging you and your special skills and transparency and which I love anyways but maybe there should be; (time for a protective bot for your site?), sorry I’m just saying.
So, I have been so focused on my skills and my role that I have had little time to enjoy music and my system for too long BUT;
I am off with family to Japan this year (2026) and I am so excited for crazy opportunities like LP’s, amps, guitars, turntables, cartridges, manga’s, yakuza! but oh gee mikey I have saved my arse off and i have around 19K aud and am getting super excited. So really keen to have you as a friend and advisor by my side to stop me effing up when looking at the amazing tokyo market. So I am think I am looking for a accuphase c290V or 290L preamp with which I believe will be better than my Parasound JC 2 which I love for its transparency but maybe not so much for the musical/emotional connection which is what I want
Happy New Year to you too sir
Thank you!
Great photos of the shop!
Since I did not learn electronics in the military (I really kick myself now,) how is the best way to learn to do basic repairs? I am way too old to go back to college. It’s really becoming a lost art.
Thanks.
Thanks Brock, and that’s a good question. There are various online courses you could search for and try. Various community and TAFE colleges bridge the gap between school and university and offer less onerous in-person and online courses. There are lots of great books, like the classic Art of Electronics, that will be very helpful on the journey. As a general rule, with repairs, one wants to first learn how to solder and desolder properly. Then, when working with electronics, the golden rule: “Thou shalt test voltages” must never be forgotten. You want to gather a few decent bits of gear, like proper soldering tools, Hakko is what I recommend, a good pair of multimeters, Fluke or similar, and some test leads. Then, pick or collect some broken pieces of equipment and see if you can fix them without help. This builds self-reliance and confidence.
Thanks Mike. I’ve been collecting books and gear for the past few years, but I have yet to make a repair (I’m getting close.) I am going slow because I am interested in working on tube gear and the voltages are deadly.
I have a Fluke 87V, Hakko iron, Siglent oscilloscope, a panasonic signal generator, a nice variac, various electronics pliers and side cutters, etc. I hear I should have a good isolation transformer, a dim bulb tester, and a capacitor discharge tool. Do you have any other recommendations? Sorry, I know we are getting a bit off topic for your post.
No problem, Brock. A good ESR or LCR meter is a must, and I would recommend a good analog scope over the Siglent, but at least you have something, so this is a good start. The other bits and pieces sound good, though you need a desoldering tool. The best is a desoldering gun, but braid works well as a substitute. The key now is to dive in and start fixing things, but starting with tube gear is not a good idea, precisely for the reason you mention. I’d start with some simple, solid-state gear.
Thanks Mike. I will look into those items and keep my eyes open for a Tektronix…then start trying to fix stuff.
Much appreciated.
No worries Brock, and best of luck with it!