Technics SU-V90D Amplifier Service & Repair

UPDATE:
I’m running a 3-part live workshop that takes us on… ’A Time Travel Through Vintage Electronics’
We’ll dive into the tech of the times, from the 1950s all the way to 2020s.
The dates and times are still to be confirmed. But if you're reading this, then the workshop hasn't yet taken place.
If you're interested and don't want to miss out, you can sign up here:
menditmarkk.ck.page/6e8fbd9521
---
Mark overhauls a 1988 SU-V90D integrated amplifier, sent in for a service, which doesn't go to plan... foam cleaner disaster!

[@MendItMark]

I want to try something new. Something more live. 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) From the 1950s all the way to 2020s. It's still just an idea. The dates and times are to be confirmed. But if you're reading this, then the workshop hasn't yet taken place. So if you're interested and don't want to miss out, you can sign up here: menditmarkk.ck.page/6e8fbd9521

[@elvisburgerking8675]

Mark laughs every time a problem is encountered, problems seems to give him joy. I would love to give him my 1990s Philips DCC which has given me everything but joy since the warranty expired.

[@malcolmcooke9901]

He laughs at the end of most sentences.Nervous tic ?Bit of a genius though.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

The Bob Ross of electronic repair!

[@LagrangePoint0]

Except committing a "happy little accident" with this stuff might get you killed HAHA

[@batmandestroys1978]

You are a genius! I have never seen such a modest person! Loved the whole video. Your happy attitude and even when things went wrong, you never gave up and knew exactly what to do. Fantastic video!

[@brettkaufman2299]

Agree!

[@familiedejonge6813]

Agree!

[@Casmael01]

Agree!

[@sibandy]

Agree!!

[@Casmael01]

@@sibandy Agree!!!

[@l88ka]

As a ex- tv repair serviceman from 1990s , i admire Mark. Such a talent,its clear that he is in this for decades. When i see someone is soldering,i know same moment how skilles is he.This man is genius.

[@2Sorts]

This is how the eevblog repair videos SHOULD be. What can we say about Mark? He’s an extremely competent and entertaining man. I love watching him work. You’ve a new subscriber Mark.

[@wdavem]

Yeah, this guy wastes no time on theory and gobeldygook math. Not that those things are unnecessary every time but school destroyed my ability to learn this stuff and I'm picking up the pieces with videos like these!

[@elvisburgerking8675]

I agree He and another You-Tube repair guy have recently exceeded my speculation that Mr C Labs was the best repair channel on the internet. I wish them all fame and fortune, as they deserve it for the effort they've made to share their knowledge and experience.

[@rayofcreation3996]

​@@wdavem I totally understand.

[@williamdavies3295]

Just found this channe. This bloke is a bloody genius tbh. He gets down to the job & bloody well gets on with it. Puts the yank repair bods to shame. No endless waffling & snail slow repairs here at all. He is so cheerful, even when getting electocuted!. Thanks Mark. Keep up uploading the great videos.

[@philipwren7509]

This man's talent knows no bounds superb episode.

[@davesdigitaldomain]

excellent video Mark. What program did you use to design those labels? Could you please do a video showing how to do this? I think this would make very interesting video and interest a lot of other people.

[@SCAPE0GOAT]

Easily my favourite new tech channel. I could sit and watch these for hours. Probably, like many others watching, I love how other engineers go about their fault finding & repair. It's also great to see how other bits of kit break ! Great channel. Thanks for putting the videos together Mark 👍

[@pnnielsen]

Wow. I am very impressed with how you fixed the missing button labels. That is classy work indeed!

[@youtubxkip]

It is so enjoyable to see that others are also doing mistakes like erasing some labels or forgetting something and having it disassembled again 😀. Thanks for this shots! It makes me feel better 😆

[@mlbabineaux]

I actually miss doing this kind of work. I was a radio and television technician for many years. Troubleshooting down to a component level.

[@matthiasmartin1975]

Same here, sigh.

[@digamberthorve106]

आपली साफसफाई यंत्रणा, पार्ट PCB मधून बाहेर काढणे , साॅल्डर यंत्रणा, टेस्टींग यंत्रणा फारच सुंदर आहे.

[@sffitx]

That amp needed a lot's of love, glad it got serviced/repaired instead of being thrown in the trash. Hopefully it will keep working for years on.

[@ashishm1431]

You just can't have it unfinished, can you Mark ? Them stickers on wiped out text was an awesome effort. Best part of your videos is not taking yourself seriously but taking the job seriously. Just love the way you do the job. Bravo

[@Mikere5]

*those stickers NOT them

[@ashishm1431]

@@Mikere5 thou shall not make them / these mistakes so often - Jules Winnfield ( Pulp Fiction 1994 )

[@IvesMarcelin]

This Guys is Extra , il répare tout ce que moi je trouverais désespéré..lui il redonne la vie à n'importe quel appareil ...👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Rubycon99]

One reason this is my new favorite repair/restoration channel is because "good enough" usually bothers me. :P I was a bit worried about how the labels were going to turn out based on what I've seen elsewhere, but they turned out looking pretty damn near professional.

[@g7puw]

Hi Mark I have only seen your videos for the last month or so which makes me a new subscriber. It very nice to see somebody resurrecting elderly audio equipment a job I used to do as a living and you always very jolly and happy soul thank you for bringing your trade to us to see , it brings back so many memories thank you again👍

[@robertgregory6678]

Hey, Mark, I think some of your repair bench setup ideas are great! 👍😊

[@Hagemann666]

These are so compellingly watchable. I love them. I enjoy fixing my own stuff but I don't have much expertise in electronics. I can usually tell a capacitor from a diode from a transistor, I can fix a dry solder joint, and I can fix some mechanical issues but that's pretty much where it ends. So it's brilliant watching someone with so much expertise and experience who can generally fix ANYTHING. And his ability to clearly explain what he's doing, his wonderful sense of humor, and his modest demeanor are icing on the cake.

[@robertgregory6678]

I truly admire your humility and good nature. 😊

[@ganapathipai8853]

I really missed such videos. It reflects such dedication to canabalising spares and restoration. Did lots of Grundig / Sony spool players, VCrs upto DVD. I was a radio TV technician attending on site in Mumbai India 🇮🇳 1974 to 2015 LED/LCD took our jobs away.

[@robertgregory6678]

Hello Mark! The Circuit Board Plugs: J15 and J18 don’t need to be such a problem. You simply push down on the top of the plug assembly and then pull out the wire cable. 😂

[@brezovak1219]

Mark I still wouldn't signed somewhere Your videos are my most watched. I watch you all the way to the Czech Republic. Thanks to you.... Thank you

[@brezovak1219]

Mark ještě bych se ne ěkde podepsal Tvoje videa jsou moje nejsledovavanější.Koukám na tebe až české republiky.Díky tobě....Děkuji

[@usatrene]

What a skill! You are genious, Mark. So impressed. All the respect from Japan.

[@syniekos]

Another fantastic video, there’s something very calming and relaxing about watching you work on the kit you receive along with your perpetual happy demeanour and charming presenting style.

[@yoogeebearproductions4581]

Fantastic work! Your a very happy man. One thing you need to watch not to mar any of the front facia or plated casing as once scratched you can't replace like the electronic parts. Make sure you always put something soft down before you work on this stuff or you'll get a unhappy customer.

[@Jammerk40]

Beautiful work on this unit! I like how you did the labels on the front! Steady hands and presto all new again!

[@simongrove3276]

Quality repair, such a high skill level and attention to detail, a joy to watch a true craftsman

[@joefarr3304]

Thanks for these videos Mark. It's great to see how you deal with things when they go wrong, because lets face it, things always go wrong.

[@jimh8644]

I admire you ability to make the diagnosis and repair of these units. I would not even attempt to duplicate your abilities.

[@user-xv4hh2ck9v]

It takes a lot of years and different situations to diagnose faults. I was an industrial panel engineer and I still learn new things with the advent of new technologies.

[@JacGoudsmit]

That is one classy restore of an amp that had a lot of hidden problems. Well done! And those labels: awesome! Thanks for posting.

[@tony359]

such a nice and thorough repair - and such a shockingly bad PCB full of broken joints! Thank you! I admit I screamed at the screen a bit when you yanked off those connectors: those are (horrible) spring loaded ones. To remove the flat cable you press on the tab to set the wires free. Thankfully the PCB was poorly made and the solder failed :)

[@Mcqlfc]

Just found your videos. I love repair videos and I love your happy attitude. I wish I knew people like that!!

[@Taketimeout3]

Another beyond economical repair session. You provide an unquantifiable service for there is no way all of us will ever get to see such competence and skill in the real world. And all for bugger all. Thank you Mark. You also show the frustrations and not just the solutions. This Technics is a horror story. It is extremely unlikely any sane person would bother repairing any Amp with so many failed components and dry joints. But you show it IS possible, but not really worth it.

[@djzio]

Mark, you are without equal! Extra gold star for the Carol Vorderman reference! 😍😍

[@richclips]

Excellent work, very nice channel, I'm impressed at your patience, and quality of work, not to mention all the amazing test kit and tooling that you have, really great :) thank you.

[@scossa_vr]

Your skill and your always positive way of dealing with the unexpected is impressive! All my admiration from Italy.

[@kevinjekyll1521]

Well done Sir, what a journey, but the end result speaks for itself. If people are tempted by older gear, they really do need to sit down and watch what is involved, and you must have a positive attitude as you display to tackle the challenges that will inevitably get thrown at you. I look forward to more content from you, maybe one day you will feature something I have or would like to have.

[@davidcoleman6032]

I have to say, you're a genius! Wish you lived near me as I have a Technics amplifier, radio,twin tape deck combination which needs attention to the tape decks,circa 1990.I like how you check the rest of the equipment out aswell as the actual fault. Great to see traditional service!🙂👍

[@UncontrolleDperson]

So smooth, so confident and always with a smile on his face!!! That's a pro!

[@michaelclutton8446]

Thanks for the video, your a very skilled guy. That was a huge amount of work, hope the owner pays you well, certainly well deserved

[@regfenster]

Brilliant channel Mark, really enjoying the content. I'll have to look you up as I have some old Technics stuff that needs work, nobody local to me interested which is a shame. Love the quality of your work as well.

[@ewhibs]

Had no idea you could clean boards in ultrasonic. Love your channel, cheers from the U.S.

[@edxr6949]

watching you rip them plugs out at the start from the board was nasty! They only need pushing down at the back ( keep it held down ) then the cable comes out 😂

[@eagleflight7501]

This man is a electronic genius. Good job mate

[@MBdrummer3288]

You are SO GOOD at what you do sir, it’s truly amazing. You are the best electric guy that I know of! Keep up the great work you do sir. I love watching it.

[@jjcaruso44]

I appreciate your honesty keeping in a mistake (button caps). That is exactly what happens when you work on all kinds of equipment. Thanks!

[@jeffhansman2829]

The labeling was a really nice finishing touch. As ever, a thorough and excellent job! I have yet to see you stumped. Makes me think of my 1969 Sansui 5000A I got in Japan.

[@thejoyoffix4720]

I had a run-in with foam cleaner and some plastics back in the 80's when I worked in a Technics dealership reapairing these very amplifiers. It is pretty strong stuff and best kept for bare metal. Lovely job on the legends and cracked solder joints galore of course. TTFN.

[@darrenwendell1723]

You can service my 1973 Technics amp any time. You go the extra mile. Excellent work.

[@ivanigorpollick6690]

Mark,you are incredible,pure joy to watch,-great knowledge

[@jgroover]

A joy to watch-the master at work!

[@tpol6515]

I did the same thing as you 20 years a go. I am amaze of the professionalism and passion here.

[@Petertronic]

I had a Technics SU-V1X amp from about the same era, so called "new class A", and it started playing up. It was so horrifically awkward to get apart I actually gave up, and got rid of it. Really enjoyed this repair video!

[@user-tq8wm1iy3n]

Mark, you're work is amazing and lover your joyous attitude. This is the first channel I have ever subscribed too. Keep up the good work.

[@gerritw.rougoor663]

I've learned so much from repairing jobs and you're a nice friendly guy

[@ruudslaman6966]

Mark, you are the man. You do an outstanding job. I just keep on wondering........ how do you make a living on this......... And also, please don't ever stop doing what you do.

[@stevenbliss989]

I love how you put labels back onto stuff, ....bloody marvellous!!!!!!!!!!

[@EricTViking]

Good recovery with the labels at the end 👍

[@junaskoumak-yh5fl]

i love all from technics it makes me feel great to see you repair that beautiulful piece . great job

[@barrybradfordlocksport]

It really is a pleasure to watch and listen to mark always so happy pleasant and fun, keep up the good work buddy great channel ! 😎😎😎

[@jandankbaar122]

You did put on the power button with the camera not running 😉 Studied two years at technical University. Went another direction, but love your videos so much! So much knowledge and always 😊

[@artmichel5572]

Mark, you are awesome! I wish that I could have found someone of your talent, work ethic, and professionalism when I decided to get rid of my stereo system. I purchased several thousand dollars worth of equipment in Japan while assigned there with the USN 7th Fleet back in the very early 80s. Probably my favorite was an Akai 747dbx reel to reel. Side note..I had 15hours of The Rolling Stones on reel and almost as much of David Bowie! Also two different Nakamichi cassette decks and a lot of Bose speakers. Why I got rid of it all is because I couldn't find someone like you. Dammit!

[@johnmarchington3146]

What can one say? The printing job you did for the front panel was outstanding. Another great video.

[@ingo1568]

Mark shapo a great work and cleaning. The owner will have it a long time without problems. Greetings from Germany Berlin.

[@hernancoronel]

If you are gonna do it, you might as well OVER DO IT! Congratulations on your craftsmanship Mark! 🎉

[@electrogb]

Hi Mark, I just found your channel and love it! Even though I won’t do what you do it’s so nice to watch every detail! Keep up the good work your a Legend!

[@IlBiggo]

20:30 very useful suggestion, thank you very much! I just fixed an SU-V660 with this exact problem. Two transistors were loose, "same" part but in two different spots: it's probably due to the components more than to the soldering job. I guess the terminals were dirty when they soldered them in, maybe a bad batch or bad storage. I've inspected all the boards afterwards, and those 6 joints were the only loose ones. Oh, and the front panel was _filthy,_ but I cleaned it with dishwasher soap after seeing the foam disaster O_O. Thank you for showing us what to do and what to NOT do.

[@Audiorevue]

A lot of the late '80s early '90s Technics amps suffered dry solder joints and loose connections over time. The explanation that I always understood was the culprit, is that during that time Technics started using the early generation lead-free solder. Which doesn't hold up very well long-term and causes this issue. I'm currently listening to music on an SUV 98 and as soon as I got it For a small bedroom system, even though it worked properly, I took it apart and touched up every single solder joint on it. It's been going good now for some time.

[@that_thing_I_do]

Your smile and hard work leaves me smiling!

[@TheRidgeChannel]

Attention to detail is AMAZING! Just subscribed.. looking forward to trawling through your back catalogue!

[@dangaAgadanga]

Awesome videos -- lost count of how many I’ve watched this week. This is How It’s Made version 2.0 😊

[@felixthecleaner8843]

this was awesome - loved the way in which you solved each and every issue. you certainly know your way round electronics like a Master Electrician. Great content entertainment - this channel is another You Tube Hidden Gem!

[@Truthall]

im a big technics fan and just serviced my amp, brilliant job, really impressed by your commitment to details on the front panel text

[@Nevakonaza.]

What a fantastic watch, I'm new to the channel and recently subbed, I know this vid is old now but wow what a brilliant repair and service, I use a yamaha amp myself daily and find it fascinating to see thr innards of other models especially older ones like that,love those stickers to replace the ones that dissolved away lol, they look like they come from the factory nice job :)

[@alienzone8209]

You are the very best when it comes to Hi-Fi repairs, keep it up. I wish I could send you my Nakamichi Deck RX-202 for repairs, but unfortunately I am too far away.

[@graemeyetts3465]

What a pleasure it is to see an expert at work and having fun too. I agree with his brief appraisal of Technics amps tho' they were well built. I preferred British amps Arcam, Rogers, Sudgen, Quad, Naim. There were once many brands when we had a proper manufacturing base.

[@DaXande135]

A channel making such good repair videos should definitely get more attention! Very interesting and entertaining to watch, also you can learn something from your skills! With Technics amps often you get problems with the all in one amp ICs, sadly...

[@user-jg2ik6pb6u]

Amazing electronic lab.You are special electronic engineer. BRAVO !!!!!!

[@zedcarr6128]

I've been a professional electronics engineer / electrician for 38 years, and you are an inspiration, Mark. Your attention to detail, professionalism and ''out of the top drawer'' work is awesome to watch. If I did what you do, my videos would sound like they are going out in Morse Code due to me bleeping out all the swearing. 😆

[@brianhoskins1979]

Me too, Zed!

[@robertbox5399]

Where's he get all that kit from? Lol. Our company has fits if you put a big order for solder in!

[@BenState]

have a degree?

[@evileyeball]

I need to find a place to get some contact cleaner and clean the crusty volume pot on my SU-V16. I'm a technics man at heart and I love watching you fix up Tecnhics stuff.

[@DJNeiloSF]

Excellent attention to detail! Nice job 👍

[@adampoll4977]

Great work. You must be the most cheerful technician in the world ;)

[@mattbba8451]

I love the upside down speaker to hold your screw driver bits. Great video journey this time.

[@brianwood5220]

Beautiful job Mark. Thanks for sharing.

[@Micjoh]

One thing I really like about you Mark is you don't replace components for the sake of it. If electrolytics are in spec leave them be. It's rather like the British approach to classic car restoration ( preservation) where the Yanks just replace everything.

[@ntanakas]

nice amp ,those toshiba transistors were top of the line back then. also, i had experience with those weird connectors, you must push the plastic down to release the cable.

[@michaelkampf1001]

Hi Mark, i just found Your channel today and must say, that You do great work here. Such a smart guy, i wouldn t have Your patience.Please keep on going and merry christmas from Munich, Germany to You !!!

[@petercroft3273]

Crikey Mark, you're a brave man the way you dismantle everything down to its underpants. I'm a retired tech of 40 years experience (TV station videotape/audio/graphic arts/PC and Mac networks). My philosophy is light touch - leave well enough alone. The funny thing is I've just bought a stack of old Technics amps, CD player, tuner and double cassette, seven items for $50! The lot! And a couple of the items are the same as you're working on. I'm in Perth, Western Australia. Small world.

[@graemeguthrie2054]

Mark, I enjoyed that video ever so much as I'm just in the process of returning my original 1979 Technics hifi. It has been in storage for the last 20+ years at my sister's. Currently working on the turntable and sorted most of that now so amp next. It's an SU V2. I hope it is ok after so long unused. Thanks will subscribe.

[@dbrown51967]

great video mark very absorbing. i aquired a technics hifi stack with a su-v90d amp last year and whilst searching for the service manual your video was recommended, the volume pot needs cleaning though and i need to replace the controls lettering doh!

[@africanadage852]

Enjoyed this video and your attitude towards the work.

[@markwhitfield5412]

impressed with the decal print, top job.

[@keithc.shepherd8833]

Great Job.. really good job, Cheers to you from a viewer in the US. keep the Videos coming

[@langerstrains9460]

I enjoy watching your videos and interesting repair. Nice save with the new button labels at the end 👍

[@misterbonzoid5623]

We used to wash jukebox valve and solid-state amplifiers and power supply units with detergent sprays and on paintbrushes, then hose them clean before leaving in the sun in the car park to dry. I only once broke the output transformer of an jukebox amp in this way (turned it into a kettle because I hadn't bunged the shroud holes up well enough with bubble wrap). Modern electronics are pretty waterproof.

[@justicelut]

I really enjoy your videos Mark. Thanks.

[@alexxbaudwhyn7572]

You're a better man than me...err, all of us, Mark 😊 I usually avoid any item used in a long term smoker environment.