FINALLY Fixing The Power-Washed Pioneer SX-750: Power Supply Repair And Controls Cleaning

Need tools? Here's a video showing what I use (with links!): • Must-Have Tools For Wo...

[@stevenwhiting5321]

Hey. I know these take a lot of time and undoubtedly you have a day job so that… you know… you can make a mortgage or whatever. I just wanted to say that you’re a talented guy, and very worth watching. I check in regularly to see if you’ve popped out a video. Thank you for the content! Long live the vintage audio habit! Peace, Steve.

[@terrym1065]

Hi Aidan, how's the weather in Montana?😊 That was a quick fix as far as the cap goes, good find. The control knobs may be a different story, the aluminum finish couuld have been compromised by the enzymes in the dishwasher detergent. A restoration will be a great series, this receiver deserves a new life and besides it'll be fun. Have fun, stay safe. See ya soon.

[@seattlebeard]

A good technician is worth every dollar they charge. I have an SX-750 and wouldn't dream of touching it's innards myself.

[@baronistheone]

A quick way to find bad filter caps on any DC source is to use your oscilloscope and look for the ripple on DC outputs.

[@gorak9000]

You can also check with the DMM on AC Volts instead of DC volts. If you're measuring DC rails, there should be no AC showing up on the meter. Some meters have a combined AC+DC (or DC+AC) display mode which can show you both at once!

[@baronistheone]

Good point. Back in the day... my scope wouldn't show dc voltages unless the scale was set high enough for the dc voltage and then the ripple was hardly visible so I used a bnc splitter to use the scope probe both with the scope and also to dc voltmeter. Amazing what you can buy now - less than $100 for an oscilloscope/multimeter.

[@gorak9000]

@@baronistheone The only combined scope / dmm I know of for < $100 is the Zotek / Zoyi one. I just got a ZT-703S - it's pretty good for what it is, but it definitely has some shortcomings. I also bought a Owon HDS2202S, and while it's 3X the price of the Zotek, it feels like a more more finished and polished project. The Zotek needs some work in the firmware! Both of them don't compare in the slightest to a real bench scope though, but sometimes a handheld cheapie is nice for places the $4k Keysight bench scope shouldn't be - outside in the rain, up a ladder, in the back of a greasy CNC machine cabinet, etc etc. I use scopes in some pretty weird places, and I hate taking the nicest and stupidly expensive one out to places like that!

[@kaustix852]

Imo the best way to clean controls is to disassembly them and use something like a pencil eraser to remove the tarnish.

[@NCislander]

Very good to watch the troubleshooting and results. Excellent tutorial to the details. Thank you for taking the time through this unit. Thanks also for the SX-880 schematics I asked you about a month or so ago. Working my way through it. Pioneer SX receivers are my favorite.

[@sand0077]

If you forgot the cap's orientation, you'll find out very quickly when powering it up! 😁

[@genericsomething]

I have the same receiver, and it hums the same way. I noticed that Ebay has some listings for a "hum repair kit" for the SX-750. Are those any good, or should I just try to figure out which caps to get and order from one of the parts houses? I'm fairly new at this, so I'm still learning what things do and where they go. I really want to get my receiver going, but I'm thinking about practicing on my Apple II power supply first. I also noticed restoration kits on Ebay for Pioneer receivers for ~ $100. I'm tempted to get one, but I'd like to know if they're grossly overpriced, or if I should just get one and restore the whole thing?

[@weschilders]

I'm in the same boat... I've been watching this series hoping to find a clear solution. I'd love to be able to identify the problem capacitor so I can avoid doing a full restoration right now.

[@jdudb]

Dishwashers use alkali in the detergent. Alkali attacks aluminum.

[@dperreno]

This. It strips off the surface layer and exposes the raw aluminum which results in corrosion. It may be possible to use polish to restore the surfaces. Good luck!

[@lloydgreen4091]

Hello Aidan -- New Subscriber -- Finally found *Someone* who can explain Simply to an Old Tube guy How to R&R Vintage Receivers. lol -- I have a 750 & 1050 I'm starting to test out. Can You tell me the brand of Solder Sucker you have? Notice you & Xraytony have the same but couldn't find it on e-bay. I certainly will be following along as this 750 progresses. Thank You So Much for making these Videos for Us. 👍

[@AHFixIt]

Glad you enjoy the videos! Here's a video I made on the tools I use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g32uZ2dvmJaSnK8 The solder sucker is in there (Hakko FR-301). They are a little pricey at around $300 but they're worth every penny. If you decide you want to buy one, using the link in that video's description for the tool is a great way to support the channel!

[@terrydanca5095]

Hi great video's,, I have one of these sx-750's and it has been working fine for years, just recently the am and fm tuner quit working both tape inputs work, the aux and phono work fine,, tried cleaning the pots and switches with no success. any ideas where to look?

[@weschilders]

I have the same receiver model and symptoms. The voltages on my caps were not as far off as what you measured but they were different enough that I replaced them. I had a very similar hum that was eliminated with this fix! Thank you so much for sharing your insights.

[@ScottMicciche]

Peek polish cleaned the plate and knobs of my SX-3900 really nicely.

[@mariokolenko4322]

Good honest man, like your videos. Question; got vintage AKAI tuner AT-2450, change the lights, but right chanel after 4-5 years start to make brr brr on the right speaker, pot are clean but after 4-5 days listening start to doo that again. What to look for?

[@jacobsharp2605]

Hey man, i just bought an old zenith B908/B910, not sure which one it is, and i cant get the radio to grab any frequencies. I haven't found anyone with a video specifically on this model. Any ideas on where to start?

[@puciohenzap891]

12:40 PTSD moment. The only way to clean these properly is by disassembling them fully and using a silver polish on all contacts + adding back some Electrolube. Deoxit makes it worse over time.

[@pibbles-a-plenty1105]

You mean you don't know how to check electrolytic filter caps in circuit? You need more than a dim bulb and multi-meter.

[@handsomemann1]

A great video. Like to see the full restoration video , part by part. Should be interesting. Thanks for the video.

[@trillian23x]

It's a good idea to replace both big filter caps, if one went the other is likely near end of its component life too.

[@tylerjezowski5633]

12:30 what’s that in the bottom right corner 👀

[@AHFixIt]

A Sherwood vacuum tube tuner

[@THOMMGB]

Hi, I’ve bought my Deoxit D5 and F5 on EBay. I think the company sells directly and the price was a lot lower than $15.00 a can. I’m going by memory here so please don’t jump all over me if I’m mistaken. It’s been a while.

[@jrc3547]

Sansui 551 panel grime around the tuning, sel, and on-sw.. I started with mild soap, no effect. Added some 409, didn't touch it Plus some other cleaners allowing soak with paper towels no luck. Finally tried some old car paste wax, took off most of it without losing any labels. I did not get too crazy rubbing. I will also check out peek polish. Hope this helps. (Power washing ) I would think about the fine wires on the RF coils etc., they may corrode if not dried quickly.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Mother's mag and aluminum polish will remove the residue and will not harm the silkscreen. It also works great on wafer switches and will make the traces and contacts like new. The oxide on wafer switches takes physical cleaning. You can do this insitu if you use polish on a pipe cleaner and then heavily fush with IPA until residue is remove and then treat with D5...or preferably Neutrol 401B to add an oil film.

[@JonPaul]

Holy buckets, that light diffusion plastic thing looks just like the one I need for a Vector Research VR-7000!!! If Pioneer used that same part, I bet I can find one. Nice.

[@gorak9000]

Isn't it usually just velum? You can buy sheets of new velum and cut out whatever you need

[@JonPaul]

Not on this unit. There's a clear plastic diffuser that the bulbs mount in.@@gorak9000

[@tankthebear]

I had that receiver! Gave it to my nephew one channel was fuzzing out. Wish I would have kept it so much info on them now to repair.

[@Shmity1962]

I bought one of these new in 1977. House got robbed and lost it 1982. That was an awesome receiver. Wish I still had it

[@skyhawk1441]

hello, what power is the control lamp on the table. how many watts

[@reinkansman1081]

Nice to see your assistants on screen even thought reluctant to comment. I feel some closure on this unit now.

[@billtownsend3272]

Good video. Have you ever addressed the issue with SX-x50 series power controls. IE: the carbon buildup on the contacts causing flickering lamps and (sometimes) noise?

[@billtownsend3272]

I have an SX-650 (which I love muchly) and will do a restore job on shortly. That's the only actual 'issue' I have to address, but plan on a full restore job.

[@historymakesmesleep]

i can hear it!

[@salvatoreoddo-x9t]

Hey you crazy kid!! why do you use a power washer on your vintage hi-fi equipment?