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In Reply to: RE: A very bad sign if truly from one of the electrolytics ... posted by Steve O on May 08, 2017 at 20:37:25
Like Mallory or Astron --- with age, leak nearly all the time. I always replace these.
Edits: 05/09/17Follow Ups:
It is a Mallory type FP. Is there a chance this unit could still play for a few years "as is"?
I would replace it. CE makes some nice replacement cap cans. I like to use the highest voltage rated ones (in correct mfd range) ---- as long as the new can fits the chassis. You'll have longer life.
You do risk other components, if the main PSU caps fail. To me, the $35-50 for a new can is worth it.
Thanks for the fast response and suggestion. It came in as I was typing a thank you above. The problem is...having to ship this for repair and risking damage to its pristine condition.As long as it sounds good and no hum and no more leakage, I wonder if there is a slim chance I could get by as is.
edit...I'll try and post a picture a little later.
Edits: 05/09/17
I've always replaced old caps, esp those that leak, have "pimples," or feel "light" because of evaporated electrolyte fluid.
How hard will you or your friend be playing the unit? And make sure the fuses are the correct amps.
Good luck!
Good questions.
I have a couple of systems and this unit/system will only be played occasionally and never at high volumes. On of my criteria for choosing pieces is they have to sound good a low volumes and this one sounds real nice.
Fuses are correct. There will be no wrapping in tin foil. :-)
I'd replace the cap in a heartbeat if shipping was not an issue. Circuits can be repaired but bent faceplates, etc can not. The drive to his place would be very difficult at this time and it would have to be twice, once to drop it off and again to pick it up when done.
If this was even a 9 out of 10 cosmetically I'd ship it but this is as close to a 10 as I can imagine. That's why I would hold out and hope for the best.
Do it. You're in southern California - should be very easy to find a tech to do it, and shouldn't be costly. If one cap leaks, it's very likely all the 'lytics need replacing. It just doesn't make any sense to run it with bad caps. At best, you're not hearing what it can really do; at worst, you'll turn it on one day for some quiet listening, hear a loud pop, then silence. I wouldn't pursue anything with the seller, unless (s)he said "Everything has been replaced inside." It is a 55-year-old piece of gear that, as you said, looks and sounds good.
BTW, you might also start accumulating spare tubes. There are 20 of 'em in there, and tubes *do* go bad, often without warning.
Good luck.
WW
"A man need merely light the filaments of his receiving set and the world's greatest artists will perform for him." Alfred N. Goldsmith, RCA, 1922
Nothing to pursue with the seller, he's a good friend and we trade things from time to time. He'll fix this if I want to keep it or take it back.
Driving is difficult for me at this time so I will either wait until I can or have Fedex pack it themselves and deal with whatever happens.
Re spare tubes...I've been in the tube rodeo for the last 20 yrs with many new and vintage tube units and have many a spare tube for backup.
Thanks for the tips.
I had some CE twist locks leak on my MC30's, ran down the outside and ruined the chrome. :(
Craig
MC30's = nice amps. I've had a 240 and a couple generations of the 275. if I were to get another Mac, it would be a 225 or 30's like yours.
Did you replace the leaky caps immediately or did you play it for awhile before doing so?
They had been sitting on the shelf for a while, took them out to listen to them and noticed the streaks on the chrome. Pulled them apart, checked the ESR and the caps were dead. I then just installed some F & Ts I had on hand inside the chassis and called it a day. If I remember correctly CE had some problems when they first reissued the "FP"s so maybe this was one of their problems. I've used several since and no problems yet.
Craig
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