YOUR Vintage Stereo QUESTIONS ANSWERED with our Tech Rob

You asked the questions, our lead technician Rob has the answers! Let us know if you like this format and we will do more in the future. Enjoy!
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[@CraigHollabaugh]

These conversational videos with subject matter experts are adding real value to Skylab's content library. Please continue to capture us grey hair's life experience and knowledge. Thank you gentlemen, enjoyed it.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks, will do!

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

Yes, I second that!

[@mbilden]

@@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl I 3rd that and call for a quorum!😁

[@scottlowell493]

Rob has a point that audio snobs need to understand. People are subjective about taste. It should not matter if you have speakers from 1963 or 2023. "Mismatched crap" also means you don't need to have a color-matching same-brand setup. You listen to what you like. I started my hi-fi journey around 80's A/D/S (Braun) and Polk audio. Those are still fantastic today. I've had high end amps (Like Threshold and Naim) that were actually crap. (Oscillated, fire hazard etc)

[@if6wuzz9]

Bravo gentlemen… please keep this type of content in the mix. Love it.

[@MarkRDKing]

Rob would have loved my career, I calibrated and fixed test equipment for the last 30 years. I am an audio guy and went into electronics to repair VCR's and audio equipment. I never touched a VCR but instead went into the Defence industry and callabration. I am now back to my first love now that I am semi retired, Audio equipment!! Love this information guys, thank you.

[@spacemissing]

Repair is a craft, a skill, a talent, an art. A combination of knowledge and ability, plus some creativity, is necessary.

[@scottprice8994]

I appreciate people who can repair things and keep them working, particularly now when we live in a mostly throw-away society. A TV stops working. Throw it away and buy another TV. This seems to be common with electronics now. My interest in vintage stereo equipment is playing around with it and listening to music. My interest does not lie in opening it up and replacing transistors. One, because I do not have the skills to do it, and two, because I am not interested in that and probably would not have the patience. Ha ha Thank you to all those people with skills who maintain and repair things and keep them working.

[@charlesswift3110]

Great segment guys! This has been a growing hobby for me and I love learning as i go. As far as Audiokarma is concerned , I was actually fortunate enough to find someone to walk me through restoring an SX 850 and then a Sansui Quad receiver , but those experts are getting harder and harder to find for sure!

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

I am good at tracing wire in a house or business, fall short on components. I will check fuses and clean, but loose focus on the boards. Might be my eyes. Plus you have to have the room to break things down. With 3 stereo systems, 10 turntables and 2000 records, Where can I start. I decided to use professionals on my Dual tables, then on my Dads old Pioneer SX 626. It had a dead side and took it to an old business. They kept saying fixed, but was not. Then took it to another business here 40 years. He was working on the unit 4 1/2 months. They gave it back to me with no screws on cabinet and bag of parts. They said could not fix. Finally a friend who sells used units in different antique stores. He told me of a guy 3 hours away. He dropped it off and I picked mine and his stuff up. The just rebuilt the channels and it works great. This guy is good. I wish I discovered you a year ago. I am glad I was turned on to this guy. So, for those that want professional techs, do your homework first. You guys seem to know your stuff.

[@acrossthedial]

Great video! Techs like Rob are a rare find these days and busier than ever. I'm just getting into units that came in at the end of March.

[@mr1enrollment]

Ok I am an X audio tech, and retired engineer. I love the topic. Most of my career is as as engineer, but my heart has always been in the technical. Rob has a bunch of experience, and I would trust my stuff to his care. Keith also. (I encourage you all to continue the topic.) TO those who want to learn, there are no short cuts. Learn the basics, and move into that which you don;t understand under the care and instruction of someone who knows more. It is not going to fast. Sorry. Peace bro(s) we will meet.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Daniel

[@MrRepeters]

I learned my electronics training in the Air Force. Later. working as a repair manager for a large company, even the military has gone to remove and replace modules, sending the modules to the OEM for repair IF it is even repairable. Although, MOST military gear is actually repairable at the component level.

[@edwardkane7708]

Guys- even though I don’t have a personal interest in the bench repair end of the equation, it’s great to have the conversational approach and hear questions asked and then answered. Thank you and do more.

[@vcp93]

You have a really smart class of subscribers. These questions are outstanding. 👽✌️

[@SinnerSince1962]

He is right on track about checking visuals first. I've often been led down the garden path in one line of thinking, hunting in one area, and see a fried part in an area I wasn't looking at. That part turns out to be the fix.

[@rkbthrifts4687]

You should make sky lab shirts that say '"definitely going to be a fun one"!!!!

[@scottprice8994]

I said basically the same thing on another video. Ha ha That is Kevin's favorite line.

[@guyb7005]

I like the items on the table: soldering iron, hammer, angry tiger, I use the same tools when fixing electronics!

[@tonyunderwood9678]

Interesting video. I was working on stuff like this video describes when it was new on dealer shelves so I never had to "learn" how to repair vintage audio, since at the time it wasn't vintage and parts and service literature was right there on the shelf. I kinda enjoy working on vintage stuff if for no other reason than to see it get fixed and "work for a living" instead of being tossed in the trash because nobody wants to bother fixing it or can't find someone who can repair it. Likewise auto radios from the '60s and '70s... who works on them anymore? I still have stacks of service literature on them as well. This comes in handy when someone wants their '67 Camaro factory radio to work as it should and since almost nobody works on them anymore it's hard to get one repaired. Or modified, to improve its performance like so many of those old Delco radios with the single ended Class-A output stage that was barely acceptable even when new. I've upgraded a few of those along the way... Anyway it was kinda refreshing to watch this video, not unlike sitting around with another tech during a coffee break talking about the latest dog on the bench. Keep doing these sorts of videos. 🙂

[@dwaynesuggs5537]

Even a plumber could tell that was a lot of info

[@johnwhite6005]

Never stop doing videos like this. I love them and Thanks.

[@Wil_Bloodworth]

Excellent stuff! It would be great if you had a "Monthly Q&A with Rob" instead of just one video. Thanks!

[@toddhoug9713]

Great Video! Thanks for the great insight! Referencing the use of new technology that wasn't available back in the day, I find a thermal imaging camera to be extremely useful. Helps in debugging to find components running too hot. You can compare right and left channel components to make sure they're consistent. You can also see all of the hot spots and take extra measures to deal with the heat for long term reliability. You can pick up a nice handheld with great resolution for under $300.

[@kevinkier6790]

I have several 70's Pioneer quad systems, qx949 and qx737's and I love each and every one. To me this was the best of the best of the audio systems of the time. Yes, I had to replace many components to get them working. Thanks for your videos.

[@user-ci7vv6xx3c]

Great video! Please do this more often. This one was very interesting and i learned a lot so far,thanks. Greetings from Rotterdam, the netherlands.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you! Will do!

[@chuckaluck123]

Nerds! I hope you make more of these. I got some good stuff from this and want to hear more.

[@repro7780]

I think the comparison to auto mechanics is spot on. I would bet most electronic techs and mechanics started out tinkering with their own radios and cars. I was lucky in that my High School back in the 80's had an electronics shop course where we were taught Ohm's Law, and we repaired (or tried!) TV's, CB's, learned on old school Tecktronix scopes, and learnt soldering. Like techs, mechanics are tool buffs, and have huge tool boxes, so there are alot of parallels there. Great video!

[@jackgabbert3233]

Hello, I'd like to echo the remarks of appreciation for more tech how to's on actual repair. Would love to see a series of trouble shooting and repair covering a variety of brands. Best Regards, Jack

[@kgu9870]

Great stuff Rob. Thanks

[@swinde]

I have two of those Marantz Model 250 power amps. I bought one brand new in 1972. The other one was acquired from a closing stereo repair shop. It had only one channel installed and they gave me four or five power boards with heat sinks to build the other channel. I acquired it in about 1980. I was able to get it working and have serviced since. I use the purchased one still in my main system and use the other one in my shop/ computer room. I have kept them running for fifty and forty years.

[@hippydippy]

FINALLY! We get to hear from Rob. Loved it. Hope you guys do it again soon.

[@raycimbalnik5159]

My favorite episode yet! Very informative,thank you!

[@thomasdix8453]

Great stuff ; thank you Rob & Kevin!

[@nosub77]

Excellent video! Do more like these.

[@wedoshotz6645]

Having worked on a number of Marantz receivers, I can attest to the PITA factor.......beautiful units, great sound, but their slightly smaller stature seemed to be attained by stacking boards which makes it tough to troubleshoot/repair.......lot of wires to undo. Also, in regards to size of components, the "lead spread" on old vs. new electrolytic caps can be a factor, not just the physical size of the cap.

[@renebollengier1111]

Great video. I was formally trained in the navy on vacuum tubes, the instructor was a tv repair man. I remember they had a section on transistors, the instructors closing remarks were, you may see these in the fleet. Crazy. I have always repaired to the component level, just the way it was. Funny at the end of my career it was mostly micro processors in the equipment. Tough for a tube trained technician. I always started with the tech manual and learned how it worked then repaired it. Very similar to what is going on with audio equipment. I loved Robs comment early in the video. Start with poking connections with an orange wood stick. I used to teach and call it the stir. Found more solutions with inspections and stirring wires than just about any other technique. Thanks again for a great video both of you.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Rene

[@stevefoster2700]

Great segment guys! For future questions I would like to know Rob's troubleshooting method when one channel is lower in level than the other. Personally I look at the pots, then determine if the issue is in the pre amp or main amp, made easier if there are jumpers. Following up on this, what does Rob find to be the common issue with mismatched outputs? Thanks!

[@moofdoggmike]

Great content even if I never take the leap to try my hand at your craft, a peek under the tent to better understand what you need to know and then execute properly at a high level, helps us understand the time factor and costs associated with properly repairing the vintage equipment we love. Thank you! Keep it coming.

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

Great video. Love this! Tip from JackT (after years of building kits etc and now back to using vintage gear), use a power strip for your gear. One switch kills the AC going to it. Safer than hoping your vintage receiver is all good when you're not home. Lots of weird pwr switching before and after energized components. Remember, this stuff is decades old!

[@sirsuse]

This was great! I would love to see more or this type of content.

[@mjg263]

Great advice about checking the basics first. I had a big Vietnam era Sansui come through here with a cooked power supply. Was about to start rebuilding the PS board when I noticed the voltage selector was set for 100 volts, probably since 1972 lol! Would’ve burned up again eventually if left that way.

[@raygarafano3633]

Yup, a few Eqs and rcvrs I have, have a voltage selector. I guess made for other than U.S maybe England? Set for 220 and used on 120 not much happens .hook to 220 when set for 110. . . Fooof!

[@nickmrt2670]

What a great segment!

[@michaelbarras6950]

Good stuff, guys! The questions and answers gave a lot of good info. Thanks, Rob and Kevin!

[@adsph]

Incredible topic. Could of listened for hours. Vintage tech’s are to be most respected. Great video.

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jim010109]

Great video! Keep up the great work.

[@samanthaarden3592]

Great Info and video! “keep 'em coming” What works for me is lots of patience and the anticipation of hearing and seeing it working when it’s finished. One way I learned patience was when I worked on 8-track tapes. You have to get it to work otherwise you’ll never be able to enjoy it. Make it your passion to see it live again! Thanks so much for your channel. ❤🎶

[@kkoller8952]

Great Video Guys....especially for folks new to vintage audio gear, and want to learn more on how it works and how they can do their own repairs. I myself have always had an interest in electronics, and fortunately, in my profession, I was afforded the opportunity to learn and use skills in electronics troubleshooting and repair. Rob knocked it out of the park when he discussed how he goes about truobleshooting....the skills and methods he uses are exactly how I was taught in my early years of electronics training. Learn the basics first!

[@kukko83]

Truly appreciated! The passion really shows, in videos like this. I think, there can't be too much talk about vintage audio equipment. When my dealings with the subject comes up in a conversation, people look at me like I'm from another planet. 😄

[@triples4good]

A little late getting to this video. I love these spots. I always look forward to them. I would love to have a fraction of the knowledge Rob has. If nothing just to repair my own stuff. I mean how cool would it be to be able to buy a piece that needs lots of work for a great price and then fix it up. Super cool!

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Steve!

[@jeremiahmeraz9298]

This was very interesting to listen to. I appreciate the knowledge and perspective of both of you. I’m over here just trying to replace a filter capacitor on an old guitar amp and this just started playing. I listened to the whole thing and was pleased to have done so.

[@MichaelLivingston-me]

I like these type of videos. I started formal training in electronics in 1968. I'm still learning.

[@Chooman69]

Love this format. Make it weekly.

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Excellent content an answers thanks man , I just purchased an amp to help power my other larger 12 “ pioneers , I got a 200 watt onkyo amp from my local vintage dealer , dollar a watt is what they use to say , but I have to say , I buy so much an often from him he gave me a deal $125 bucks for an amp that looks almost brand new , this guy an I hit it off an customer/ seller to be come friends an share music , knowledge an so on , I just bought some 1968 AR 4X speakers from him numbers on both match 55775 on original paper work staples on back of them , he is repairing capacitors on my 1977 Realistic receiver with 15 to 20 watts power out out for those AR4X , cabinets look beautiful an speaker covers are good , I am missing one AR badge but I’m ok with that , I bought those and a onkyo cd 💿 player looks brand new from him for $300 bucks an he is including repairs to realistic so I think I did well , I’ve spent prob $850 bucks buying Al components an speakers , but my crown jewel is my Marantz MR220 an 21 watts an flawless face an cabinet is plenty of full room sound for my 16x20 ft living room , an with 12s an a power amp 200watts my neighbors are gonna be bittttttchung , thanks guys for listen an we enjoy wall Skylab vids dudes

[@crimsonghost6454]

This was very good. Keep em coming guys.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks! Will do!

[@chadsteinacker7948]

Thanks guys!

[@johndrx165]

This stuff fascinates me. Love it.

[@421CentralIowa]

I could watch hours of this sort of content. Thanks!

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikeparker7709]

Excellent feature

[@patrickbolmeyer9515]

Please, do more of these!

[@bdisaac1]

Awesome segment.

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gerihifi]

Great interview session, PLEASE keep them going, Rob is my man 😊 ...wish he would step by in Germany, Hamburg in once in a while to fix something togethef with my li ited skill 😅 thanks a lot for your efforts!! Would love to see some kind of series and to pick a specific repair topic.

[@killforpeae69]

Great video guys, deffenatqy want to see more videos like this. Thanks

[@skylabsaudio]

You got it!

[@pauleichenberger4966]

Enjoyed the video. We have a great repair shop here in Louisville that has been in business since the 60's, and since I plan to retire from my current job in a couple years, I will look into educating myself more into vintage repair. I have some basic knowledge already, and have been into stereo systems since the 70s. Who knows, I might end up in Des Moines!

[@RandySmith-iz1ml]

Great video, very informative and helpful!

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad to hear it!

[@g.fortin3228]

I did enjoy this one a lot.. thanks to both of you ! I'm new in the hobby but not to reapiaring or basic electronics fixes. Just taking it a little further now, another bobby that's fun.

[@skylabsaudio]

Our pleasure!

[@BD-no2be]

Just from stopping by like Kramer, I enjoy these conversations. The SME videos are a great resource for someone not-in-the-know. Keep 'em coming. Edit: a similar video with your old man would be cool.

[@skylabsaudio]

Awesome, thank you!

[@scotthelling1036]

Absolutely outstanding content and presentation!! I really like this information from such a seasoned professional. Please continue these videos. Thank you Kevin and Rob! I was an electronics tech in the Marine Corps back in the mid 80’s working on hf/vhf/uhf radio gear. Troubleshooting to the component level. I really loved doing that work. Ultimately I took a different work path for quite a while after the Corps but I’ve circled back around to a more technical field. I’ve lost much of the detailed knowledge of the components and test equipment but would like to relearn the skills.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Scott!

[@karenfyhr2363]

Thanks, that was interesting and to hear a repair technicians point of view..

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@John_F.]

We enjoy your videos

[@dmnddog7417]

I graduated from a technical and trades high school in the early 90's with a concentration on technical electronics. A lot of the stuff that you guys mentioned about learning the basics and then applying them really spoke to me. We designed and printed our own circuit boards to apply the concepts, and it was a great learning experience. The best part was the "soft skills" that one learns in the process, such as troubleshooting steps, etc. Even though I did not go on to pursue an engineering program for study in college, those skills really helped me in pursuing a career as an IT Systems Admin. But really you can apply those logical skills into any career path.

[@skylabsaudio]

Great advice. Thanks

[@SinnerSince1962]

Divide and conquer is the mantra when troubleshooting.

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Excellent video thank you!

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rolandcyr5747]

More, please! 😁

[@stevenjosephs9]

Good job . Question ... I am thinking to put a 3 wire ( 120 V ) electrical connection on my vintage Pioneer A45D with a ground wire ( only need 4 ft wire ) . Green ground goes to a bolt on the motor . Do I still need to ground the TT to the back of the Yamaha RX-V 2500 ? Thanks ... You guys are great 👍👍👍

[@eabr2881]

Top job!!!!

[@glennmiskulin5379]

I like it yes and do more of these videos

[@ElderPinto254]

i am a watchmaker people always are amazed that i wear a eco drive by citizen... it always run dont have to worry about it and it keeps good time you can dive with it and runs on sun power ...

[@torsdaglastbil]

Awesome !

[@raygarafano3633]

Are inductors ever used as filter chokes in power supplies to smooth out ripple?

[@aammdj]

I think you have discussed this before (in another video) but it would be good to know what Rob thinks are the most basic, critical upgrades or replacements that should be done in any vintage receiver that you plan to use on a daily basis.

[@benhoutekier2973]

Rob working on his personal project pieces would be excellent!

[@scottprice8994]

Yeah, help the man get his equipment working and make videos about it at the same time.

[@jamesminotto8036]

Yes please

[@davidbartochowski7832]

Yessir make this a bi-weekly video

[@raygarafano3633]

Are those restoration kits good to use and are they good quality parts?

[@raygarafano3633]

Im thinking dif watt bulbs needed for dim bulb tester, depending on whats being tested?

[@billsmith5166]

I thought ringing only occurred on high frequencies that started at around 30k so does it happen in speaker crossovers?

[@anthonyross8102]

What should I do with this Kenwood KR 9600 that needs a TA 200w IC. I can't seem to find one.

[@PhilHewkin]

Modern electronics, in your estimation, will they stand up to the test of time like the vintage equipment of 40-50 year ago ? ( i have 2 sony a-v amps, they both have quirky problems, they are 2000 + era ) a sony-specific issue, or endemic of modern cost cutting result?

[@mariokolenko4322]

Prime HIFI nice work videos, last long but he explain everything in details

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks! 👍

[@raymondgarafano8604]

How do I buy your record cleaning kit?

[@daninnj8580]

First law is for your fingers: stay off the B+ voltage.

[@joedeegan3870]

Vintage Audio to me is Dynaco.

[@stanpage2337]

What causes radio feedback through phono source

[@wwz1011]

It's funny, I've been into vintage bicycles for 20 years. I am more into tools, vintage tools, than the bikes themselves.

[@xvdifug]

Mr.Carlson RULES!!!!

[@Shaggydude2]

Does anyone know a tech in the Sacramento CA area that can work on vintage gear?

[@jamestyrer907]

Re: ESP. As a retired EE I don't have glowing things to say about Rod Eliot. The circuits for the amplifier boards he sells are very primitive. I discovered when I posted there that he has a large ego - perhaps even suffering from Dunning-Kruger. I'm sure that most DIYers would be happier building Self 's "Blameless Amplifier", for which circuit boards are available.

[@robt7785]

Sorry about the nervous blink-fest going on in my face! It was too early in the morning!!! Haha! -Rob

[@deangale4496]

Be a great place to buy from they actually care

[@LakeNipissing]

WOW... KZbin even censors comments about electronics knowledge video recommendations (without links, which of course they ban). I guess it's bad to even mention Mr. Carlson (or others)

[@SinnerSince1962]

I'm not sure how a tech can make a living doing this. It's gotta be hard

[@mandrellrob7141]

I am trying to figure out how play my vu meters in my system on my tape deck without actually playing a cassette

[@skylabsaudio]

Might not be possible, depends on the deck

[@smelly_elvis]

Lead technician Rob, why don't they make bulletproof receivers for when Mmmm Bob, Seasons in the Sun, or any Nickelback song come on the radio?

[@skylabsaudio]

ahahahahahaha