Manuals?How important are they to you?

97.83.174.99

Posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:06:15

Posts: 1635
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: December 16, 2004

Just recently in the last few months I have purchased several Original Owners Manuals,& the Service Manuals for my Bedroom System which is all Yamaha!(photos are from the Auctions.)The manuals I bought were for the RX 500 U Receiver,& the KX-W500U Double Cassette Deck!Hope to get the other Manuals in the near future for the CD 1000 Cd Player,& the P 500 Turntable! I actually was glad I read thru most of the manual for the Cassette Deck as it had features that I did not know how to use!Very quiet running deck compared to many others I have owned!Anyway what are your thoughts on Manuals?Do you feel it adds value to your equipment,etc.?I am talking about a paper Manual & not a CD of the Manual which seems to have replaced them in more modern equipment!

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IF the scan was done correctly, the PDF is nice ...

ToddM

12:36:56 09/30/16

2

I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads.

alaskahiatt

13:45:54 09/30/16

RE: I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads.

Brian McGowan

15:20:29 09/30/16

...

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IF the scan was done correctly, the PDF is nice ...

ToddM

12:36:56 09/30/16

2

I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads.

alaskahiatt

13:45:54 09/30/16

RE: I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads.

Brian McGowan

15:20:29 09/30/16

We don't need no sticking manuals !!

AbeCollins

12:29:50 09/30/16

6

That's easy for you to say...

Neil49

23:01:52 10/01/16

LOL!

E-Stat

06:43:52 10/01/16

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!

Crazy Dave

16:04:48 09/30/16

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!

Brian McGowan

15:22:18 09/30/16

2

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!

AbeCollins

17:43:30 09/30/16

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!

Brian McGowan

07:54:27 10/01/16

So...

E-Stat

12:12:11 09/30/16

3

RE:NO!

Brian McGowan

17:21:50 09/30/16

2

A manual in any format? I'm all over it.

E-Stat

06:59:04 10/01/16

RE: A manual in any format? I'm all over it.

Brian McGowan

07:46:54 10/01/16

So..., posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:12:11
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37584 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	does a pre-printed paper manual provide added value over a digitally stored one in a convenient and searchable PDF format - which can be printed at any time on demand? For me, zilch!

We don't need no sticking manuals !!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:29:50

AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002

Manual? Real men don't read manuals! We poke, prod, fiddle around, until we figure it out.

"Do you feel it adds value to your equipment,etc.?I am talking about a paper Manual & not a CD of the Manual which seems to have replaced them in more modern equipment! "

Nope. I prefer downloadable PDF manuals from the manufacturer's website. The PDF is easily searched, stored, never wears or tears, and if I must kill a tree, I can printout as many copies as I desire.

IF the scan was done correctly, the PDF is nice ..., posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:36:56

ToddM
Audiophile

Posts: 1612
Location: Atlanta, USA
Joined: May 15, 2001
Contributor
Since: June 13, 2005

... but for some stuff, the original manual is a nifty touch that adds to the "it's a collectible" feeling, and in some cases are more complete and usable than the PDF (seeing as how I don't own a large-format printer to generate an 11 X 17 copy, or larger with some schematics). Don't get me started on the scans that were obviously done on a home flatbed scanner and then clumsily pasted together.

I prefer to use a paper version when I'm working, but the searchable pdf is obviously better for doing background, extracting info or focusing on one section ("enhance!"), research, etc

I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads., posted on September 30, 2016 at 13:45:54

alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7501
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
Since: November 1, 2005

After all, this is the Vintage Asylum, and frequently, there are no downloadable manuals for vintage equipment from the manufacturer or from private companies. I just do a constant search on eBay for the manuals I want. There are no hamfests in my area. AG Tannenbaum has been a good 3rd party manual service in the past, as their manuals are very clear, especially the pictures.

I also have a tendency to go back and forth in a manual, and I find this easier with a paper manual. I know you can open several pages at once on a computer, but the desktop can get pretty cluttered. Scrolling up and down can also be annoying for me.

RE: I agree on all of your points, especially schematics and terrible downloads., posted on September 30, 2016 at 15:20:29

Brian McGowan
Audiophile

Posts: 1635
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: December 16, 2004

Thanks for responding! I wanted to see if I could put together a complete 2 channel stereo Yamaha system from the mid 80's early 90's that was not there least expensive nor there top of the line!So when I managed to find locally an RX 500 U in good shape for under $20.00 bucks,I continued from there!Next came the Cassette deck,which I got locally for under $20.00 bucks!Followed by paying way more on EBAY for the CD Player(Which is kind of a rare model) & the DD Turntable!I also have some 3 way Yamaha Speakers from the same vintage! Not sure about the Model # right now.Everything is the # 500 model except the CD Player which is the CD 1000.At some point I may get the CD 500,so there all 500's! I just felt I had to have the Manuals to make it complete!Was fun putting it together and actually does not sound that bad at all!Everything works good except for some minor work that needs to be done on the Turntable!

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 15:22:18
Brian McGowan Audiophile Posts: 1635 Location: Wisconsin Joined: December 16, 2004	Thanks for the video and your thoughts as well!

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 16:04:48
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	If available, I agree. Dave

RE:NO!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 17:21:50

Brian McGowan
Audiophile

Posts: 1635
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: December 16, 2004

It seems like most of the things you buy now day's has a cd or dvd that you put in your computer!Or better yet you just go to there website & down load it for free!Which is ok for most people,except those who do not have or want a computer in the house!most of us remember stereo equipment or TV's before the year 2000 came with the manuals on paper! I did not see a CD or a DVD with pdf files on them of my Yamaha equipment!So I bought orig.Factory Manuals that were printed on paper! So my question is how important is it for you to have a manual in any format of the equipment you own?Also do you think it increases the value that you have one or if it is online for free?

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!, posted on September 30, 2016 at 17:43:30
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46280 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	Well, if your goal is to have a complete vintage setup with original manuals and all, I can understand that from a collector's point of view.

LOL!, posted on October 1, 2016 at 06:43:52

E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37584
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
Since: April 5, 2002

But - it's no stinkin' badges!

One of my brothers used to say: "When all else fails, read the instructions". :)

A manual in any format? I'm all over it. , posted on October 1, 2016 at 06:59:04
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37584 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	I guess I'm a bit OCD in that regard. Here's my manual drawer in the office. I keep 'em all! There are over twenty PDF copies on the computer. I also keep original boxes for audio gear - including coffin sized crates for the stats in a room above the garage. Last year, I sold my '81 Threshold Stasis amplifier with its original box, packing and manual. :)

RE: A manual in any format? I'm all over it. , posted on October 1, 2016 at 07:46:54
Brian McGowan Audiophile Posts: 1635 Location: Wisconsin Joined: December 16, 2004	Thank's!You just made me feel better in my quest for Manuals!

RE: We don't need no sticking manuals !!, posted on October 1, 2016 at 07:54:27
Brian McGowan Audiophile Posts: 1635 Location: Wisconsin Joined: December 16, 2004	But it has already helped me as I said in another post as I used the Cassette Manual!Also not all Techs are going to have the Service Manuals for what I need fixed.So it is not just from a collectors point of view. Although at first that is what my friend said well since you are a collector!Thanks for the response!

That's easy for you to say..., posted on October 1, 2016 at 23:01:52
Neil49 Audiophile Posts: 8850 Location: Northern Virginia Joined: June 13, 2003	Around here, it's, "We poke, prod, and fiddle around until we break it or can't figure out how to put it back together again."