The 5 kilowatt Crown

[@MendItMark]

UPDATE: So I’m running a 3-part LIVE workshop that takes us on… A Time Travel Through Vintage Electronics. We’ll rewind the clock, dive into the tech of the times… (and study the very history of how things were broken and repaired has evolved) The workshop is coming soon, but if you're reading this then you're in luck (or not)... And there's still time for you to sign up using the link below: www.menditmark.com/mend-mark-workshop The workshop dates are mentioned in the link above too.

[@KehHs-l8b]

Those amps were work horses I constantly had mine at 90 percent just destroying the bass in Florida nightlife

[@pwrrpw319]

You had me until the DIY turn your own Knobs !!!, LOL!, ex TV/Video/Audio/Radio Communications etc etc etc serviceman here, Ive repaid high powered PA amps before , but never resorted to machining my own replacement Knobs !!! , wow ! I take my hat off too you sir! :), cheers from Australia.

[@garybenning1771]

Overall I consider you a great engineer BUT, you regularly use wayyyy too much heat transfer compound. You're only supposed to use a light enough smear to level out and fill surface imperfections. The amount you use will noticeably worsent heat transfer. From a long term engineer too.

[@KehHs-l8b]

@garybenning1771 man got a point, too much goo is no good for you....day 1 its on the whiteboard before training. It's the joke that helps you remember

[@bacot-gw2ek]

what brand and type of solder do you use?

[@dnbstreamer]

I like how you just giggle at the different kinds of fasteners, instead of getting frustrated that someone put a bunch of random screws in

[@gummansgubbe6225]

I am starting to wonder why Philips screws is a thing at all. I have fallen in love with JIS.

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@gummansgubbe6225 Canadians love Robertson! Older JIS are a little harder to cam out than older Phillips, but since the standards were standardised (lol) in 2008 there should be very little difference between crosshead screws and screwdrivers made to the unified DIN standard from 2008 regardless of whether they are Japanese or European screwdrivers. Screwdrivers made to that are supposed to be reasonably backwards compatible with older JIS screws (though Japanese screwdrivers still seem to fit a little better). it seems like some of the American crosshead screwdrivers (like Snap-On) still don't fit JIS screws that well though.

[@jimw7ry]

Agreed! A JIS screwdirver set is a must if you work on Japanese equipment! It was super easy to marr up the head of a JIS screw on an Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu without using JIS. I'm glad I ordedred a complete set of screwdrivers! Now they are easy to remove and install without "buggering up" the head! I have a new fondness for JIS screws with the proper driver.

[@Rondo2ooo]

When you said you would have to do the knobs, and I saw the amount of on-top effort, my jaw dropped. Best electronics repair channel on YT.

[@marcdraco2189]

Nice chap: check, decent editing: check, best repair channel? Barely an also-ran. Still good to see all this 1960-80s tech. But I would question Mark's knowledge of the finer points of design.

[@autolancegega599]

💯 agree with you.

[@aalexjohna]

@@marcdraco2189 You dirt

[@geografiainfinitului]

I make my own, My Mechanics vibe!

[@JasperJanssen]

@@marcdraco2189you can’t just drop that in there without specifying which ones you prefer.

[@MsNIKITA]

The clear difference between someone who takes pride in their work, verses a cow boy. Weldone Mark! Love the attention to detail.

[@truth3899]

I appologize, I've spent some time thinking on your comment but I can't seem to figure it out. I don't understand the reference verses a cow boy. I'm not the brightest again I am sorry would you mind explaining it to me?

[@MsNIKITA]

@@truth3899 come from a reference of a 'cowboy builder' (longman dictionary)

[@truth3899]

@@MsNIKITA ahh gotcha thanks kindly

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"verses a cow boy. " Yes, no cows here.

[@phillbrown3823]

My favorite electronic repair channel and so much more. Thank you Mark you are an inspirational and talented chap.

[@VidelicetMoi]

I concur.

[@xpump876]

Ditto!

[@Mindsi]

Very skilled😊

[@СергейГорбачев-я3г]

Вне всяких сомнений

[@SimonHollandfilms]

well done for taking this on...lives to shout another day.

[@moegamatgamieldien110]

The amount of care taken in fixing someone else's mess... Is remarkable and commendable. Thanks for a great video 👍

[@blakeyonthebuses]

The knobs were the icing on the cake. Great job!

[@bobgrob4]

I just love this guys work. Everything he does is primo.

[@Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

The white spots are hard to do though ;) hehe But seriously this guy does it all! Amazing skills!

[@LagrangePoint0]

True art

[@RJW19661]

I love this channel! I had an old home Monster Power home Theater amp that refused to power up. I sent it to an electronics repair shop a couple states over they had it for three months and basically said they couldn’t fix it because parts are no longer available. I have no doubt that Mark could’ve fixed this amp. Wish I still had it I would pay to ship it over to England just to see it on a video. subscribed!

[@LagrangePoint0]

@@stevevanrusselt4739 why would you bring that d. g3/nr@te to the comment section of a mark's video?

[@MikeGervasi]

Honestly, your greatest asset is your patience. ALso that nothing seems to get to you. THe fact that you can fabricate gives you a huge advantage on repairs.

[@andrewharris4258]

And he still has a smile on his face after near electrocution! (See intros)

[@Maverick-cl2lt]

Hi Mark, I'm a mech engineer (and previous trade qualified boilermaker/welder) who is about to start a degree in Elec engineering. I've been mad keen on electronics and audio since I was a kid, and I'd like to say I'm blown away by your channel. Your dedication to repairing things most would deem unrepairable gives me some hope for the future. Your videos have also helped me a lot with repairs I have undertaken. Cheers from Australia.

[@hubbsllc]

Good for you!

[@SassyXR6007]

How good is he mate!!! He has really made my obsession worse lol I'm an Aussie to. Mark doesn't reply either i don't think

[@leonardgucciardo8386]

Great electronics repair channel. It’s amazing how calm you are when an expensive bench power supply blows up and you say oh well just another repair. Most of us would be so distraught over burning our equipment out but to you it’s just another repair. Keep up the great videos you have one of the best channels.

[@dannyruth9925]

It is a true pleasure to watch a man who is modest and really knows what he’s doing.

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

And who chuckles a lot, just to add to the cheery nature of this channel. 🙂

[@arlo0011]

As a retired electronic technician of many years (music stores, etc), I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Like you, I had to employ a wide variety of skills to cope with the abuse that some equipment had to put up with from life on the road - the absolute worst was a power amp used in a rodeo p.a., not only was it beat up, it stank! BUT, I must say, your skills (and your shop) are the very best by far! I am very impressed and envious.

[@coolelectronics1759]

lmao it stank like poop?

[@gregorymccoy6797]

Well done, Sir. That was a proper job.

[@robertmeyer7664]

You are such a cool person with a wealth ok knowledge that most people don't have these days and great sense of humor

[@malcolmp428]

Myself and the Mrs love watching you. We have no idea what it is you're doing but goodness me its a fabulous watch. Great entertainment and we love seeing all the old equipment from back in our day. Great entertainer, great electrician, great delivery and a great guy. Mark, thank you!

[@martynblackwell8108]

It is an absolute pleasure to watch a man who really knows what he's doing, AND, has the right kit. Most repair channels on YT give me high blood pressure! Always entertaining too. Thanks Mark

[@Jon_Pearl]

Crown International was started by a broadcast engineer and ham radio operator by the name of Clarence Moore (W9LZX). Clarence got his start in short-wave broadcasting in the high mountains of Quito Ecuador at radio station HCJB. In the 1970's when Clarence was back in the U.S., I was fortunate enough to talk to him on the ham bands as a kid in my late teens. He was the inventor of the Cubical Quad antenna, and I just so happened to have one. Naturally, our conversation drifted to antennas, and he was delighted to hear that mine was a Quad. He was a vast book of knowledge, but at the time I had no idea that he was the guy who'd invented the antenna to combat coronal discharge in the rare atmosphere of HCJB's antenna site in the mountains of Pifo Ecuador. It wasn't until he had cleared off of the frequency that we were talking on, that another ham told me who he was. I was a lucky teenager to work that father of the Quad and later the owner of Crown International. RIP, Clarence. de W4ABC...

[@DaftFader]

Yeah them crown amps are a thing of marvel! If I ever have the choice of any amp vs crown, I always go crown as their reliability is unparalleled imo. Cool to have some backstory to the original owner/inventor of crown amps! ta.

[@terryspears2307]

HCJB - the call letters translated to Heralding Christ Jesus Blessings. I had a QSL card from them when I was a teenager SWL enthusiast.

[@jackwood2328]

Jeez, none of us were going to find that out separately! Cheers mate.

[@JohnChrysostom101]

@terryspears2307 Oh that's wonderful!

[@JohnChrysostom101]

@Jon_Pearl very neat

[@gavinmurrell3415]

Your use of colloquial English makes your videos such a joy to view, the lovable West Midlands accent. Wonderful..

[@pisotones2348]

Mark, the happiest repairman in the web! 😄

[@hasyimservice4314]

I have been an electronics technician since 1986 I have gone through the transition between black and white TV, digital TV, Bluetooth audio, wireless audio and so on. Many of my technician colleagues say this channel is the best repair channel in the WORLD. maybe my hope as your follower from Indonesia is. I hope you add Indonesian subtitles 🤗 and hopefully this channel will progress and continue to be there for us

[@AfternoonPlay]

@hasyimservice4314 - - - Click cogwheel for settings. Select subtitles/CC then... Auto-Translate. Scroll down for Indonesian.

[@alphabeets]

Really impressive work! And the surprise fabrication at the end was such a cool bonus. Bravo.

[@_a.z]

I like that every stage of the repair comes with a little chortle!

[@dhdove]

I don’t understand electronics at all Mark but I find your videos fascinating and entertaining. Your skills and attention to detail are a credit to you. Thank you.

[@duplicitousdemocracy2246]

Likewise, it's fascinating.

[@TheFilletingfish]

Mark im guessing you’re some sort of school teacher. The way you speaks and your knowledge is so strong. You also have the patience of Job. Make it seem like anybody could diagnose and fix an amp with blown and missing and parts. Could watch you all day. Just brilliant

[@fatalwoody8577]

Great job very professional and time consuming locating the parts, l bet your customer was over the moon with that quality repair.

[@adrinathegreat3095]

And the £500 repair bill as well, but it's obviously sentimental value, otherwise he'd pick up a fully working unit for about £150

[@joejoetherockdancer]

$100 Fee Just For The Custom Aluminum Knobs…. a Master of His Craft… with a Joy of Life 🎉 on another level. Cheers 🥂

[@jimmurphy5355]

The transistors don’t have to be very well matched. The emitter resistors will swamp out most of the variation. I was a consulting engineer for some big name pro audio companies decades ago. At low currents, it doesn’t matter if the load current is a bit unequal. At high currents, the voltage drop on the emitter resistors will be great enough to enforce nearly equal current through each device even if their dc gain is quite different.

[@stunimbus1543]

I want to see the bench power supply repair now 😅

[@andrewshorenstein7981]

Mark - you are my hero in this age of throw away out of date technology. I have always enjoyed taking things apart to see how they work, and I am fascinated by your detective - like scientific approach to mending just about anything!

[@gavbrad8428]

With all the repair channels on KZbin these days, there are levels. This guy is absolute top-tier. My only complaint is I want more content Mark !! And every time I watch you getting that shock in the intro I laugh so hard...I always skip back so I can watch it again. It sums the guy up, and he doesn't try to hide it...everyone working on electronics will, at some point, get a belt !

[@duplicitousdemocracy2246]

The shock never ceases to amuse 🤣

[@hifiandrew]

You're the Bob Ross of electronics repair. Fun to watch even if I don't know always how or why you do things. Instead of painting a pretty tree, you're shimming a pretty transistor.

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

I’ve watched pretty much all these videos now. Mark, you are a true gent. The care you put into these repairs and how they you record and share the knowledge is just tremendous!

[@Barbarapape]

You are brave Mark, my heart sinks when taking on previously repaired gear. You can spend hours correcting their bodges.

[@vfrbore1728]

My heat sinks.

[@ambrosejeremiah7869]

wanna say that I thought the repairing abuse this had made me think that there was much more damage @@vfrbore1728

[@barthchris1]

@@vfrbore1728 No, your heat rises.. What are you thinking?

[@bigskidrowe2587]

Mark! Yes! I burned through the back catalog of videos, and have been impatiently waiting. So excited to see this post go up!

[@michaelsparrow4798]

You are incredible! What a masterpiece! I was a certified electronics technician back in the 80s and 90s. Our shop wouldn't have touched this due to the previous "work" (aka "butchering") done on it. Your skillset and your tools are like a technical arsenal on steroids! I thoroughly enjoy watching you work. YOU GO GUY!

[@benjaminzacharko8740]

I'm not even 5 minutes into this video and I'm so glad I found this channel.

[@fardastevie2827]

ONCE AGAIN MARK YOU HAVE NAILED IT ........YOUR AN ABSOLUTE ELECTRONICS GENIUS WELL DONE TO YOU SIR

[@Bilbo56]

I am so impressed in what you able to do. It’s a shame you don’t have more subscribers so I will share what I watch with some of my friends who are also interested. Good work😊

[@BariLopesh]

And this is why I don't work on stuff other people have been inside trying to fix 😅 Spend more time fixing the other person's idiocy than the actual original problem.. Good work as always Mark 👌🏻

[@ianforfun1]

When other people have worked on it I strip it down entirely and start from scratch and wise to as working with valve equipment can deliver some nasty surprises!

[@BariLopesh]

@@ianforfun1 I always ask the owner if anyone else has worked on it if they say someone else has looked at it and tried to fix it I usually decline to take it on, one guy lied to me after he sent it, I made him come collect it, if he wants to waste my time I'll waste his 😂

[@JohnSmith-qi6co]

This guy is a god. All that complicated work..and then HE MADE THE KNOBS! Now how often have I thought, "I'll be done as soon as I MAKE some knobs"!

[@Frankooo79]

Already looking forward to a power supply fix video! :)

[@bensmitheram9823]

this man is a god damn wizard. wish I knew you when I was running a soundsystem!

[@kurthansen570]

It needed putting straight. And you surely did. Thanks Mark for what I think is one of your best videos. Nothing better to start a leisurely weekend. Pure joy to watch. 😊

[@amethystissad5816]

Insane repair, your skills are amazing.

[@LZDEN]

46 minutes of bliss,great work Mark..excellent repair..well done Mark.

[@kevinkinchin1894]

Nice to see someone doing repairs properly, attention to detail is fab !

[@brynybach7741]

Well the saying goes 'You can't turn a Sows Ear into a Silk Purse' but certainly have with this one. Well done, a brilliant transformation 😊 👍

[@ydonl]

Nicely done, as usual! I would only mention that the life forms responsible for carrying these amps and loading them in and out usually spend the night at the zoo, where they consume mass quantities of beer in preparation for the following morning's work. Crown has studied these creatures in great depth over the years, thus the glue on all the connectors.

[@Perbear]

Watching Mark mending things make me smile. His repair videos are gems! Thank you Mark!❤😊

[@stuartgoldsmith2310]

Total respect. I've repaired 3,000 amplifiers in last 5 years and you make me look like an amateur!

[@tony359]

I'm not a fan of Crown amps and not a fan of the XLS series. But it broke my heart to see someone had abused this unit so badly. So happy to see it under your very capable hands! I remember playing with a JBL MPX 1200 (it was a rebadged QSC mx) and when I saw the dual layer, the massive transformers and the spaghetti of wires I decided I didn't want to touch it!

[@mxslick50]

That JBL/QSC was still a superior amp to ANY of the Crown line. What was wrong with that amp you "played with" that made you not want to touch it? Did you really think that what you saw in that amp was worse than the hodgepodge in this Crown boat anchor? Even QSC's Series 3 (The modular ones) which weren't the greatest, were FAR more reliable and stable than Crown. I owned 5 of those modular QSCs and the only issue I had was a certain set of power resistors used to eventually melt the solder connections in the one channel where the module was mounted upside down. A reflow with good grade rosin core fixed that issue fast.

[@coolelectronics1759]

touch!

[@sebzeppelin]

Methodical and thorough, excellent to see all the steps! Thanks for sharing your repairs and awesome workshop.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Mark, your repair was super-human...and THEN you fab'd up a pair of knobbers for it. You're a *beast* This is the best e-repairs channel on yootoob.

[@ronboots8525]

Pure Zen watching and listening to you Mark I love to watch you work.

[@montygore1200]

Hi Mark. Thanks for the great video. I always love seeing you make things.

[@arpharsed]

I was so impressed with your electronics skills. Then you got the lathe out, crikey, I think I'm in love!

[@tvtimemachine1192]

Amazing! 99% of what you do goes over my head but it's enjoyable to watch someone who's on top of his game.

[@4468]

What a repair job! I don’t have much of a clue about the technicalities of the repairs you do but I still find your videos entertaining and a must watch. Thanks for taking the time to film and edit these videos.

[@Petertronic]

These are the best repair videos on youtube. I remember lusting after Maplin's 1kW amplifier kit they sold in the 80's - all the boards and massive transformers and transistors made it look terrifying to build, I was just learning electronics then. And this is 5 x that power!

[@jimw7ry]

That poor amplifier has been on the HARD road! But it has lots of entertainment under its belt. And now lots more to come! Well Done Mark!

[@bobgrob4]

Mark, you should have a million subs. Great stuff here. I love this channel.

[@eddieMurphy11111]

WOW! what a mess you had to deal with ,and you have some beautiful test gear and brilliant job on the knobs, Thanks for the Video

[@christaylor9112]

Great video again and wow I wasn't expecting you to go to the trouble of machining those knobs. Just goes to show what dedication you have in doing a good job.

[@jhareng]

Knowing Mark it wouldnt be a job finished without sorting some applicable knobs. However he did make it hard for himself making those.

[@surefireKorea]

Electronics, machining and a nice flower garden at the end, that definitely qualifies for a subscription! Cheers .

[@nbq201]

Fantastic repair by a very skilled technician!

[@2000stephenellis]

Pure genius ! this is what i call a quality repair job... the way you go the extra mile to make knobs is admirable ... your customers must be very very happy !

[@Rudi-Mhz]

Amazing Job done Mark ! I am watching your Work and it is so good to see the fun you have ! I love old stuff too and it is a pleasure to repair what is worth to be saved ! Rudi, from Germany...

[@benjaminzacharko8740]

24:21 I love that you used plastic washers for the screws so they don't short to the case. While most might think this is a no brainier... it's an easy miss that's cost me a repair before because I forgot one. Excellent video sir

[@ferraridinoman]

Brave lad our Young Mark! Especially when someone has been in there before and bodged and given up!! Good man!

[@trickydicky165]

Once again easy to understand. and easy on the eye. Brilliant just want more please?

[@chatrkat]

Very impressive repair Mark, I did not have much hope for that amplifier. Brilliant idea fabricating the knobs, I like those a lot. That amp was a total wreck, I probably would have put it in the “not worth repair” pile in my shop. You are always enjoyable watch repairing something. 👍🏻 Cheers from Chicago.

[@lucadumarte8042]

really great! since i joined i can't do without your videos anymore, i also learn the mechanics! for me the no.1.

[@WayniKlaru14344]

One of a kind Electronic channel. I love your channel Mark. Your knowledge and skills, your tools, gadgets and instruments marriage into one precise excellent repair. All the best ! Your channel is rapidly growing. Keep it up. Looking forward to your next repair videos.🙏👌❤

[@alexbozas887]

Brilliant work Mark. Service technicians like yourself are rare and hard to find these days. If i was closer to the UK, I would send heaps of work your way

[@johnhermanson5249]

So satisfying to see those waveforms come up and those custom made knobs. Beautiful work mister, you are a real craftsman! (added: don't you just LOVE tampered equipment).

[@ZaramellaJoel]

j'ai découvert ce Monsieur super outillé en matière électronique avec des appareils de mesure à foison !!et plus ces ateliers ,cette personne s'est tout faire ,et à l'air super compétent !!je ne me lasse pas de regarder !très intéressant ! cela donne des idées, moi meme à mon niveau pratique l'électronique !

[@renaldonormani6646]

That was insanity! Such excellent attention to detail and …motoring on as each problem presented itself, and, you resolved. Loving your work and videos man!-)

[@robpinter5431]

Super impressed at your attention to detail in the repair...and then you machined up some volume knobs, just excelled.

[@brianwood5220]

What a brilliant job, Mark. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnn8244]

Mark, the effort you go to to fix and restore these devices is a joy to watch.

[@KP-nd3bx]

Amazing what you do. Attention to detail that is Mend it Mark. Enjoy watching your work. 👍💪💪🇩🇰

[@theflatcapcyclist]

Absolutely fantastic repair, it’s wonderful to see a skilled person fixing a bodge and to top it all off home made knobs :) something tells me that the knobs are now worth more than the amp :)

[@andrewwturner]

That was a joy to watch. You've got all the gear and the knowledge of how to use it! I'd love to hear Mark's and other folk's opinions on what would be a fair labour charge for this, my guess would be £300 + parts.

[@Metal3983]

Killing it, yet again Mark! Love the repairs, keep them coming!

[@nickeva3964]

Great to see you back! Brilliant job! Looks a million times better with custom made knobs.

[@glennbarker222]

Looking forward to watching the bench PSU repair!! Good work on the amp repair though.

[@BigTrouble324]

I admire your calm positivity throughout the entire repair session. I'm the more hot tempered kind of repair guy.

[@felixthecleaner8843]

Impressive work and thoroughly entertaining - a You Tube hidden gem!

[@shansoley]

Immaculate work as usual! Love the detail. Such a help to all of us. I have a pallet of crown amps ready to be serviced. Most are the iTech models that have a tendency to go bang and leave finger sized holes burnt through the boards. Crazy stuff.

[@zambrano966]

Excelente reparación, quede impresionado con la fabricación de las perillas, geniales.

[@JeepinBoon]

I caught the poke about common not ground lol. I smoked a HP 6827A by back-feeding from another PSU. (Easy fix. Dremel out burned PCB and replace components.) I put in blocking diodes when using multiple PSUs or multiple channels from one PSU. But I use old tech, HP 6621a 6622a 6624a, 6634a, 6827a, wall warts, homemade.... Thank you for posting! I love watching while I'm fixin'

[@JacobKelly02]

Madness crown rebadged a phonic amp, nice job as always mark

[@kendom33]

Great job Mark. You've a great deal of skill (and courage) to take these on

[@mitkothemacedonian]

Great job, as always. It'd be fun to drive the amplifiers to their rated power to see if they can reach it and at what THD accross a few frequencies, like 40, 1k and 18k.

[@babelfish_gaz_p9688]

Magical stuff as ever Mark.. I'm happy to donate any C19 & C20 connectors and leads if you need them.. keep up the marvellous work.

[@JosevaldoSilva-p8c]

Como sempre mais um belo trabalho parabéns 👍👍👍

[@anangriyadi1977]

Hello Mark, I am your subscriber from Indonesia. You are a talented person and supported by complete equipment. It's truly a perfect combination, watching you repair electronic goods is like witnessing an art, like watching a dancer dance or a painter paint, Wishing you success, Mark.

[@JK-of8tb]

Great video as always. Greetings to the magpie at 4:32

[@fabriciobentodasilva2871]

Boa noite amigo show de conserto de eletrônica 😁 valeu 👍