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If I purchase some old stuff on-line, should I have it tested somewhere before I plug it in and possibly fry my good stuff?Any horor stories out there?
Anyone have a "to do" list for hooking up vintage equipment?
Follow Ups:
If it's good stuff, as a matter of course you should replace all electrolitic-type capacitors BEFORE powering it up. Brand-new power-supply capacitors also dispense with the need to bring up tube amps slowly. Electrolitic-type capacitors simply age-out due to their moist, acidic internal construction. If not too far gone, slow application of power via a Variac or the light-bulb method may re-form their electro-chemical insides for prolonged use, but instant full voltage will short thru aged filter caps that have not been used for quite some time and ruin them. Tube amps should always have a load (such as speakers) connected to the output whenever powered on, even if no input signal is present or a risk of shorts (and so ruin) in the output transformer exists. Sellers that state they have no means of testing but did plug it in to see if everything lights up may have seriously de-valued the item by just such internal shorts; replacement parts will either be expensive or not available. Check vacuum tube availability and cost before you buy.
I have been eyeing some old HH Scott tuners form the early 1960's they look so cool. I have seen that a few shops on-line have a good rep for refirbishmen.I just don't know if I have time to deal with more old stuff in my life. My 1977 Porsche 911s is an example in point, live with it's faults or fix them either way it's going to cost me.
Sounds like I might want to purchase a unit already checked out by a shop, and stay away from e-bay.
Decidedly old used gear presents no bargains if you cannot resurrect them for yourself.
That's for the information, it's nice to dream.Here is a link to the object that got me so excited.........the first item that I've ever bid on.
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?misctunr&1096082239&1095696577
Sold for $636.50, HH Scott 333 AM/FM Tuner
"The tuner has been completely checked just recently and perfectly aligned."
What? It's not even total refirbished? I would not go over $325, yea I am a little cheep.
I think I'll stick to fixing my 1977 Porsche Targa, and my old house that's enough to keep me busy for the rest of my life.
Use a variac!!!
For tube gear only. You can cause some serious damage to SS gear with a Variac. For SS you use Prayer.
Explain that statement? How can you cause damage?
I don't know if this is the right way to do this, but he explained in a way even I think I can understand. It went like this:Posted by Ron Oehlert (A) on September 22, 2004 at 18:00:11
In Reply to: Before you plug it in- you must? posted by kach22i on September 22, 2004 at 13:56:52:
If it's good stuff, as a matter of course you should replace all electrolitic-type capacitors BEFORE powering it up. Brand-new power-supply capacitors also dispense with the need to bring up tube amps slowly. Electrolitic-type capacitors simply age-out due to their moist, acidic internal construction. If not too far gone, slow application of power via a Variac or the light-bulb method may re-form their electro-chemical insides for prolonged use, but instant full voltage will short thru aged filter caps that have not been used for quite some time and ruin them. Tube amps should always have a load (such as speakers) connected to the output whenever powered on, even if no input signal is present or a risk of shorts (and so ruin) in the output transformer exists. Sellers that state they have no means of testing but did plug it in to see if everything lights up may have seriously de-valued the item by just such internal shorts; replacement parts will either be expensive or not available. Check vacuum tube availability and cost before you buy.
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