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tweaks for marantz tape deck + cleaning

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Posted on March 29, 1999 at 16:15:11
rob selina


 
hi everyone. I was lucky enough to get given an old tape deck, a marantz SD8000. Looks to be about 25-30 years old but is still in exelent condition both mechanically and cosmetically. I was actually pretty surprised how well this unit sounds (especially since I got it for free.) It keeps propper time, the reverse and fast-farward work well, the counter + everything seem functional... the only thing wrong with it was that the variable output potentiometer was a little coroded, but turning it left and right for about three minutes (while the unit was off) seemed to fix that just fine. I was wondering if anyone knows any good tweaks (cheap ones) for this unit or any generalized tweaks for tape decks. The unit is already on an isolation platform. Also, I'm not exactly certain how to clean the heads. I only have an old abrasive head cleaner and I didn't want to use that, so I used a CD wipe with a little bit of my vinyl cleaner (distilled water and isotropyl alcohol) it seems to have done the job, but is there any long term reason why i shouldn't use this method? Also, any reason not to use this on the RCA jacks (refuse to pay $20 for "kontak" cleaner)thanks.
Rob

 

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Re: tweaks for marantz tape deck + cleaning, posted on March 29, 1999 at 20:25:09
Estes


 
Alcohol is fine for cleaning tape heads. I use Q-tips for cleaning the heads and the pinch roller. The XLO contact cleaner is only a dollar for a packet and will clean a whole system. Alcohol will do.

 

thank you ;-) (nt), posted on March 29, 1999 at 21:07:04
rob selina


 
nt

 

Re: tweaks for marantz tape deck + cleaning, posted on March 29, 1999 at 22:10:55
Quest


 
Hi,
YOur best bet is still to use some contact cleaner on the volume or line opt pots. Try Caig Deoxit 5% type. It's good. If you happened to have a can of Phillips "red can" it works even better. Avoid any other cleaners such as GC's de-ox-it contact cleaner 'cos I know the older formula stinks like never before. Not only that it doens't seems to clean very well. Try MG chem's Nu-trol also. Those things will only cost you a few bucks and no more (except Caig's spray which will cost you more).

To clean the pinch roller and the head you can try also try an industrial strength alcohol cleaner called Safety wash by MG chemicals. It works wonders too.

For long term use I suggest you to have your unit recalibrated back to specs as the older specs (both for 70us/128us curve on older formulation tapes aren't up to it when compare with the tapes we have nowadays...)

good luck!
Quest

 

now I get to crack it open ;-), posted on March 29, 1999 at 23:54:01
rob selina


 
I'll take out the pot and clean it with some Caig, couldn't hurt. How much would recalibrating cost, sounds out of my league for DIY ;-)
oh, anyone know why this puppy would have two transformers? they aren't dual output or anything like that, since they are not matched and the circuit wouldn't corroborate it either. Thing's pretty beefy inside, I'm impressed with the build quality. lots of nice touches, like adjustable motor frequency so that the unit can be used in britain and USA...

 

pot cleaning??, posted on March 30, 1999 at 08:35:36
Quest


 
Hello,

My suggestion on pot cleaning is to leave it alone. Before you do anything to it get a permanent marker and mark the wiper's position. Next spray abit onto/into the pot and turn it end-to-end several times. return the pot to it's original position.( I'm referrring to the ones on the circuitry board, Line level/volume/rec level need not apply). Then spray the last coat of cleaner so as to "blast" away the dissolved grime and leave a fresh coating on the wiper arm.
As for calibration part try wizard electronics in Colorado. They do a lot of pro gear tune ups and tape deck recalibration. Priced reasonably, they can do just about any tape decks with good results.

Marantz machines in the early 70s up until now are manufactured under license by Superscope of Japan. They made one of the best tape decks in the 70s.Also noteworthy is Akay GX series "focused field Glass head" tape deck.That machine's tape head is of high precision and costly to manufacture. Grab them while they still cheap!

Quest

 

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