Frequently asked questions about the service and repair of hi-fi electronics, vintage hi-fi gear, how and when repairs are viable, warranty etc.
No, we neither use nor recommend kits, nor do we sell parts lists, BOMs, or parts. Repairing and overhauling electronic equipment involvesmuch 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 it […]
Can you provide me with a kit, parts list or BOM? Read More »
I’d be happy to assist, but hopefully you read this before blowing anything up! If you’ve purchased equipment from Japan and it has blown up, though, we will need to establish what damage has been done. This is done through a careful hands-on assessment of the unit in question. Line Voltage Different regions use different
I purchased equipment from Japan and it blew up, can you help? Read More »
Yes, if you want equipment to last, all of it needs some form of periodic maintenance; the more complex, the more it needs. Nothing is exempt, and maintenance, including cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, or parts replacement, is simply a designed-in element of ownership. Complex electromechanical equipment, containing hundreds of parts and often operating decades beyond its
Based on what I’ve seen over the years, most people shouldn’t spray anything onto or into their hi-fi equipment! Sorry, but not really, because remember what my job is – SAVING classic hi-fi equipment, and that includes yours! I’ll qualify this by noting that if you have access to good commercial-quality products and are intimately
Should I spray contact cleaner into my equipment? Read More »
Let me recommend a few excellent starting products and techniques that work well in a variety of situations. I use various standard and proprietary cleaning techniques, depending on the equipment, condition, faults, etc. Whilst I can’t give away all of my secrets, there’s some useful information here, I guarantee more than other specialists provide! Exterior
Both electronic and mechanical components experience wear over time. Electronic Components Many will know that capacitors degrade over time, specifically wet aluminium electrolytic types. Wear rates vary according to type, quality of construction, thermal loading and number of cycles, age and hours of use. I’ve seen capacitors fail after 5 years and older parts that
That depends on the circumstances. Properly installing and setting up a cartridge with the right hardware and precisely calibrating overhang, azimuth, tracking force, anti-skate, VTA, arm lifter position and height using the correct tools is not a 5-minute job. It can take significant time with a complex deck/installation, and doing this work correctly requires time
