Frequently asked questions about the service and repair of hi-fi electronics, vintage hi-fi gear, how and when repairs are viable, warranty etc.
Yes, transistors can be replaced in almost all cases, with excellent results when done correctly. As with anything technical, though, the devil is in the details, and people often get these details wrong. Part of the art of repairing electronics involves understanding what replacement parts are optimal in various scenarios and how to select the […]
Can transistors in my vintage amplifier be replaced? Read More »
Anyone offering this overall advice should not be taken seriously. Cheap Chinese parts are everywhere and they have a place in very affordable equipment, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars etc. But there is a reason Bluetooth speakers and soundbars die after just a few years and I’d suggest that any technician telling you that cheap Chinese parts
My technician told me cheap Chinese parts are perfectly OK, what are your thoughts? Read More »
Yes, we have precision RF alignment equipment and are one of only a few still offering this service. I’ve always held a strong interest in radio and keep a range of the most important RF test and measurement equipment, cables and connectors necessary to perform alignments of AM and FM broadcast band radios and tuners,
Indeed I do, you cannot do this sort of work properly without them. In fact, I have some of the coolest cassette deck-specific tools available, custom-made for working with cassette decks and these are necessary tools of the trade. My stash includes various calibration tapes including a custom Pioneer set for use with the CT-A9X
Do you have cassette deck calibration tapes, head demagnetiser etc? Read More »
In most cases yes, no problem. We have stocks of incandescent and LED lamps, in the most common sizes, so you can choose what suits you. For the ultimate vintage goodness, incandescent lamps are the way to go. For a more modern look, LED illumination is great.
No, we neither use nor recommend kits, nor do we sell parts lists, BOMs, or parts. Repairing and overhauling electronic equipment involves much more than swapping parts. For the average owner, attempting to overhaul a complex piece of hi-fi electronics via a kit is as silly as it sounds and usually creates more problems than
Can you provide me with a kit, parts list or BOM? Read More »
I’d be happy to, but I hope you read this before needing my help! If you are here because your equipment has failed, though, we will first need to establish what damage has been done. Careful inspection will reveal the answers. Know Your Voltage Different regions use different AC or mains supply voltages. For example,
I purchased equipment from Japan and it blew up, can you help? Read More »
Yes, all electronic equipment needs periodic maintenance. Pretty much everything made by humans needs some form of periodic maintenance or service, so this should come as no surprise. I regularly have to de-scale my coffee machine and kettle for example, but not everyone does or even knows they need to. Complex electronic equipment often containing
That depends on various factors like what equipment we are talking about, what the ‘contact cleaner’ is and where you are spraying it! If you have access to quality commercial products, know how to use them, and are sure they are appropriate for the use-case, go for it. But if you don’t know what/how much/how/where/why
Should I spray contact cleaner into my equipment? Read More »
I use various cleaning techniques, depending on the equipment make and model, the parts I’m cleaning and how dirty it is, some of which I’ll briefly describe here. Exterior For most metallic, painted, and plastic exteriors, I recommend starting by carefully dusting the surfaces to be cleaned. Then, a microfibre cloth and mild detergent/water solution
