"There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless. Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt." - Mark Twain
My local shop told me right up front they've got a 3 week backlog. I didn't tell them I wasn't in a rush, I told them, "I'm willing to wait my turn in line." When they called back with the estimate I told them to go ahead, when they called that is was ready I picked it up the next day. For them it's their business, from my end it's just a hobby, and stuff I've already had a long, long time. There's nothing worth getting upset about, or I'm in the wrong hobby.
I got into repairing vintage audio several years ago to help out a local record store (Atmosphere Collectables in Evansville, IN). We where talking about stuff and I mentioned that I repaired electronics for a hobby. Wow, they had a back room of broken stuff and it was like Christmas for me. Well, once I started repairing their stuff, people found out and started dumping stuff at the record store. Look, I do this for a hobby and enjoyment. I'm trying to keep some vintage Pioneers or Sansui out of the landfill. I can say, those guys in the back of your Skylabs' shop are doing it for love and passion.. The time consumes you while working on these goes past the time your sitting at the bench; I've woke up in the middle of the night, it's got to be a bad TO-92 on the power supply.. My top 2 customers I don't like: The guys that drop stuff off like it's a 1 hour oil change; I'll be back tomorrow to pick it up.. And the guy that got junk on a online auction and want's me to make rust work.. Then they are upset with me. I would say, 100 percent of the record stores regulars are awesome and know it's a record store and not a electronics repair store. Good luck to you and your shop, I know it's a lot of work and passion..
Great advice. I took my Pioneer SX424 I bought in 1973 new) to be serviced locally and fortunately did all the things you suggested before handing it over. My hope is that it can be put right. Wait time is 6-7 weeks according to the owner of the shop and after seeing the piles of equipment in the shop, I can see why. One thing you missed in this video is the health of the repairmen/owner. Many of the guys that know and have repaired your old stuff are aging as well and not all of their system components are working 100% either! Be Patient is the key as you say.
This is great advice. I repaired office machines, copiers, printers, some networks for 40 years. Customers would call us screaming that their machines were down and their reports were due yesterday etc, I would arrive and find out that there was a spot on the glass or one paper tray wasn't working. I even had a few that were not plugged in. I was always patient and nice because I liked easy fixes. When I retired I had received about 50 hugs and none of my co workers ever had even one. I win. LOL
I took my baby, my Pioneer SX-737 for repair to a shop in the Denver area. It was literally the first thing I bought with my first paychecks in 1975. The power switch wouldn’t turn off and the right channel wasn’t working. I reminded them that the x3x series were famous for having bad transistors. The owner was calm and said, let’s clean the switches and dials before we start thinking about replacing the transistors. I said “right, no point in replacing what might not need replacing.” He was right. The clean up fixed the whole unit. So happy. My 737 has a special place in my heart.
I would bet that 90% of parked Pioneer stuff will develop noisy pots.useless switches and one channel, no channel sound. If you use it,the switches may have cleaned themselves.Amazing that the contact area of the switch is called the wiper.I use De-oxit lightly .Rotate/operate the control fully a dozen times,rinse-repeat-lube Pioneer got real big because they built real good. products for the money
Everything you said is great advice. I've had about 60 pieces of vintage gear seen to by my techs spening $25,000 having them repair my pieces. Showing your technician respect goes a LONG way. I recently brought in a corroded Sansui G-9000 that sat unused in an ocean side vacation home FOR YEARS! It was all rusted and pitted, my tech looked at me with mock exasperation asking me Mr. Wolf why do you bring me these challenges. I readied to take the Sansui G-9000 home! My tech said hey where ya going. I can fix it, its just a challenge. My tech told me he wouldn't do this for any other customer because it a full restore but for me. He'd do it. I just realized treating this guy well made this tech my blessing.
I had my Sansui AU7900 go out 6 years ago. Had a bad experience with a local tech shop. Charged me $125 and blamed it on my speakers. I finally found a specialist Sansui shop 1/2 way across the country. Called and they put me in their que and told me not to ship for 7 months! Finally got approval to ship. Once arrived, they said it'd be 6 months before they will ship it back. My attitude is that I a grateful it will be repaired and it should last the rest of my life. Can't wait!
Let me see if I understand this. They have you waiting 7 months, then tell you it's going to be another 6 months before it's done? Man, they really ARE taking the piss.
My preferred repair man here in Australia took 14 months to repair my Sansui AU-6900 integrated amplifer. Why so long? He had to re-engineer the complete output stage of the amplifier as the original spec TO-3 output stage transistors (8 of 'em) were UNAVAILABLE. He used a higher grade of transistor to create more power (10%) than original spec. but used less transistors..this created a flow on of adjustments and upgrades to make the unit stable... He did a correct DC bias correction/setting and had it running for weeks at his workshop to ensure reliability. He inspected the entire board especially for leaking electrolytic capacitors etc. It sounds great is, fully functional completely unblemished on all panels; like new. Worth the wait; and while waiting I was listening to a Sony ES series receiver...a first-world problem.
Well said Kevin. I love my vintage receivers. I've been lucky so far and never needed a major repair until I moved to South Carolina. Not having any luck finding a vintage repair shop. Only option seems to be ship it cross country. Shipping costs are crazy high.
Great topic, video, thank you for covering it. My tech shop is Inner Sound in Clackamas Oregon, I have been standing behind other customers listening to what you covered more than once 😆💥👍🏻. Last time I was there the lead time was two months, no problem Bless our vintage audio techs! I wish I could buy every one of them everywhere in the world a pizza!
I'm a tech. I specialize in turntables. People ask me all the time if I offer a warranty. I tell everybody I can't offer a warranty on 40, 50 year old equipment. I say any thing can go bad at anytime, or it could play the way it is for another 40, 50 years. Your right about the musicians. I had a guitar player tell me his Turntable was 1/32nd to slow. He brought it back multiple times and I finally told him I can't make it better than what my meter says. The speeds were perfect by the way. LOL
Kevin, you have Nailed It Perfectly. This video should be mandatory viewing for anyone who will ever have anything repaired ... in other words, Every Person In The World.
Great video Kevin! I work in one of these shops and I could go on for days with stories... Kindness always gets you way farther when it comes to this stuff. I get beat up several times a day and it doesn't make things better for anybody.
I'm very lucky to have a brother that's a retired technician. I will pick up a vintage on the cheap and bring it to him. Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes not.
9:17, when i was fixing my Pioneer sa7800, i was actually gone my way out and shotgun approached my amplifiers, capacitors were getting hot, they were acting as resistors, almost all the transistors were leaky, and i got good transistors from reputable space, (mouser) and i had to mod it switch arround a few resistor value for the new transistors, so it will be functional, new outputs, needed to make a new transformer, a new vu meter, both diy. and now i have a very good amplifier. And still i dont know how it sounded before, because i got this amplifier in a rough exploded condition, but i like the sound and its warmness that it still can produce! I'm very happy with it.
I had my Yamaha CR-2020 receiver (purchased back in 1978) rebuilt by a reputable shop. It was 8 weeks before I received an estimate (as promised) and two weeks after that before the repairs were completed. Seven months later and it's still performing like new. I was never in a hurry to get it back. This store/shop deals with a lot of vintage equipment but they also sell current state of the art stuff as well. Great advice Kevin!
I am very lucky to have an extremely knowledgable friend who does most of my gear repairs. And I always insist on paying him more than he would ask for and give him all the time he needs. These units are oldtimers after all and proper service repair is a precious artform.
At least a stereo has two channels, you can reference a failed side against the functioning side. That helps for a majority of the path. Obviously not all. The absolute worst device to repair was a analog “box” TV. Now they seem mostly disposable and all for the better. Having worked as a TV tech in the late seventies I was glad to see a stereo come in! That said, your presentation was spot on!
Your comment about cars reminded me of taking my first car to a local mechanic and telling him that it sounds like it has emphysema. Who would have ever thought that a failing water pump on a 1976 Datsun B-210 would make that sound?
One of your best! I dealt with all these categories of customers. Good thing is they're around 1 out of 10. Otherwise I would have quitted or be in jail...😁Great points were a) dont wait 2 years to try something that was repaired today, b) the "is it going to work for the next 40 years?", silly question and c) cocky musicians who just because they play good, connect stuff together and set up menus, when it comes down to servicing they think we care or understand about brown, orange or royal blue tones and timbre. Keep it up, mate! That was brilliant!
I liked the "sound difference". I got that same thing after a repair. I just thought there was something not quite in the same spec that it went in, likely because it was nearly failing and now the new replacement parts have changed other values of other failing parts. I never thought it was an issue.
All of the great advice,damn straight Here's one: Man brings in his amp- agrees on the terms & estimate-.gets it fixed- in a month he's notified to arrange pickup but he's now in Bankruptcy. He asks-How much is it worth to you? You do the math but he still owes $$$ and threatens to sue you Dealing with the public AND concentrating on a repair later is sometimes impossible.-
Kevin, I really love your channel and wish I didn’t live 500 miles away in southern Indiana. Thanks for keeping this hobby alive for the next generations. Johnny D
The tech I took my Marantz 2220B didn't accomplish anything. I had to do it myself. However, all I did was spray all the controls with Deoxit (the left/right signal slider was the most difficult to access), and use a small bit of abrasive paper soaked in rubbing alcohol or Deoxit (can't remember which) in between the two contacts of a relay hidden deep within the bowels of the thing. Maybe I didn't even have to do the latter, since the last thing I ever did to the unit while tearing my hair out in exasperation was the left/right control. And I don't know a thing about all this stuff. All I did was watch few youtube videos. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to the internet for enabling me to fix the old Marantz that I earned with my dishwashing money back in 1976.
Most techs are quirky, it's in the job description. As a tech in a different field for 49 years, I can attest to some of the oddest yet brilliant professionals at work in the shop behind the scenes. Repairing equipment is extremely satisfying for those of us destined to do it. Cheers. senior from Canada
Well, out here in Honolulu Hawaii. just about all the technicians who used to work on vintage audio equipment have retired or closed shop. When it comes to newer equipment most people trash it unless it's high end gear. Your advice is spot on, very informative.
Great content, Kevin. A friend of mine had a Mcintosh C31V control center in for repair, and the turn around time was 1 year. He waited for it patiently, brought it home and the repair lasted 2 months before the symptom appeared again. I was a technician for 20 years, and was hesitant to give it a shot, it being part of a high end audio system. As mentioned , these pieces are 40 + years old, and anything can happen.
Best vintage audio video I have ever watched, Kevin! Anyone owning vintage audio components should do themselves a favor & watch this. Spoiler Alert: Many pearls of wisdom in here. As Zeppelin’s song ‘Communication Breakdown’ teaches us, it’s all about proper communication…also minding one’s manners & practicing patience. This one deserves praise from all who own & love vintage audio gear.
“Orange?” LMAO! Thanks for pic of Bob. Had not known he had passed. Took vintage gear to him back in the day and that gear still going strong today. As someone who is non technical I very much appreciate techs, including those at Skylabs, their talent and the magic they do so we can continue enjoying these amazing music machines for years to come.
All true, if/when owning vintage gear, a good tech is priceless and there are not that many around any longer. Being patient for repairs and not underestimating multiple different problems is part of the hobby when dealing with 50 + year old receivers/amps. It can be frustrating as it is my case with an SX780, cosmetically looking almost brand new, but on the 4th and different issue, or a pure joy as in an SX550 bought more than 4 years ago for almost nothing and sounding great and trouble free. Great advice in going to a thrift store to get "something" as substitute when the main piece is out for service. Lately I bought a Technics SA 104 at a thrift shop for $10.00, looks and sounds good, did I need it? No, but 10 bucks? I'll find some use for it. Great hobby! Great videos.
I am very fortunate in that there is a record store 3 miles from me who has been in business since 1962 that buys, sells and services stereo equipment.
An accurate depiction based on my experience as a consumer of vintage electronics. I've seen technicians doing a full recap and wonder how expensive since time suggests doings take more than half a day.
Great video Kevin. I sold gear back in the day and have owned plenty of vintage gear. I have found a wonderful repair guy in my town, and, because I was in the biz on the sales side decades ago, we can have great conversations. But it starts with trouble shooting at home, just like you've said in your previous videos. I like being part of the process and I know I have. Thanks again.
Dang it man, I was in such a good mood when I started watchin' this video. Now I look at my vintage system and wonder what's gonna go next? This bummed me out. Gotta go smoke a joint and chill. Ya sound like my doctor. I guess nobody likes bad news.
I'm guilty of not trying out my CD player soon after I got it back. I waited 3 weeks before I tried it and guess what .. it was not playing the CDs. I took it back and they cleaned it up and did mechanical align and adjust. Fixed it no charge with warranty. All the other tips I pretty much had it my mode of behavior before watching this vid. I had two other pieces worked on and took back the cassette deck after it was not playing steady. It's still over there.
Very intelligent channel , I’d let um work on any of my equipment if I were closer , but I do have a 70 yr old guy who’s retired from this type work an still does it in the side he an his wife run small A 1 Electronic repair service in Shelby NC , an the guys good at it , an friendly an tells u like it is , fix or not it’s your money he says ❤ that
I just wanted to take a second to say thank you for the videos you make and the knowledge and experience that you share. A lot of this information just isn't very easily available, and a lot of knowledgeable folks keep the information under lock and key, perhaps believing that their value is increased by their unwillingness to share what they have learned. Not only do you share the information but you take the time to deliver it in a manner that is comprehendable for a wide variety of viewers knowledge levels. 1 more thought. The description of sound using colors as descriptive tool hasn't been a key to enlightenment, at least not for me. Thanks again Brudda. Bungeebill Hood Rat Records 🎩✌️🐀🧿
This was really helpful as my Pioneer QX-949 is in the shop now and I was told 3-4 months before it gets on the bench! I have the fear of sticker shock coming but I was specific about the phono stage being the problem. Keep up the great videos!!!
Great tips! I honor all of these tips and more when getting my gear serviced. There is never a gain doubting a technician and getting even a little pushy. I replaced all my stereo gear a year ago due to the deterioration you mentioned regarding aging equipment.
I was patient with the repair of my AU-999. It sat in a shop a “Hi-Fi” shop in Minneapolis for 2 years! Two figgin’ years! And this was supposed to be a reputable shop. My first phone was after a month - too busy. Next one after two months - too busy. After laying low a bit longer, no longer returned my phone calls. Finally had to threaten to sue, two weeks later got it back with this big long explanation on what he (which was to go on Audiokarma and take their advice), worked for two weeks then the same problem. Called, nope, technician moved to a Scandinavian country with his wife. It is a two way street, Kevin.
It's absolutely a two way street. That sounds like a terrible experience. I would only assume that situation was rare? I can't imagine any business staying open if that's a common occurrence.
Thank you. 99.5% of our customers are awesome. I've found simply explaining our process and what to expect during the check-in process helps immensely.
Well, glad I didn't commit any of these. Had my Onkyo M504 repaired by a vintage tech. It was almost 2 months total. I was patient and didn't call for followups. All good.
Friday night after a back-breaking week of work.... The Marantz cranked up, a couple of beers in my belly, and the Doobie Brothers taking it all away.... The heady aroma of ozone coming off a hot amp.... MMMMM...
A little self repair/investigating on why something doesnt work is precious. I used to do service calls on John Deere equipment, a lot of expensive lawn mowers. More than once, got a call to check out a lawnmower "than just quit running". I got in the habit of checking for gas in the tank, first thing. Was not my decision to make, my business still charged for the service call.
Another great video and good advice. I just heard on Friday night that a repair tech had a pair of McIntosh SS amps for 2years. That's really a bit much and I offered to look at them (only think one had a problem) if he drove the 2hrs to my place. The only thing that I disagree with you is that I almost always would plug in the customer's unit while they were waiting and verify the problem and give them a "ballpark" estimate. A bit more difficult to do with audio gear but sometimes the person may have accidentally pressed the Tape monitor button....
Brought in a CT- F21 tape deck, Told him it stops while playing, also there is slack.or loose tape. He told me, " that helps,a lot." When I get a rcvr back. He fires it up to show me.
Just watched the video where you received a poorly packed receiver by mail or whatever and some glass was broken and knobs bent. i think it would be a real service if you made a video about packaging and shipping. Maybe some things should never get shipped? Different ways to package. Specific advice about different services? Like you mentioned using USPS fragile stickers instead of your own. Maybe even advice on how to protect yourself buying online, and how to be fair to sellers, et cetera. Maybe you've already made these! Slowly making my way thru all your uniformly helpful and interesting videos, thank you!!!
I worked in retail decades ago and sometimes got things ready for shipping. Here's what I reccomend: First, get some desiccant gel packs. I have a bunch that come with my vitamins, so I am already good to go on that. Second, a decent weight plastic bag. Put equipment plus desiccant packs in the bag, and tape closed. Third, styrofoam. Preferably from a piece of equipment of some kind, ideally 8 corner protection pieces, tape onto the corners. Fourth, packing material. That could be something like "flo-pack," the styrofoam packing "peanuts," a whole bunch of bubble wrap (one reason why you want something on those corners), or some other cushioning material. Get a good, sturdy box, pack it in there well. Last, get a slightly larger, sturdy box, more packing material, and pack the box with the equipment in it into the larger box with cushioning around the smaller box. I know this sounds like overkill, but I do remember seeing a brand new computer tumble out of the back of a delivery truck once, and I have received boxes that were obviously impacted by something between the shipping dock and being delivered. Or, ideally, you kept the original box and packing material that came with the equipment, and some "helpful" person didn't dispose of it as a favor (thinking of you, mom, rest in peace).
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Thank you! I save those desiccants, too, for no particular reason except figured could come in handy some day. Now I have a use! Bubble always gets me wondering…. Say it gets dropped from a truck, the bubble does its job, but pops in the process. Leaving the piece vulnerable to a second drop. Totally just my mental simulation, and have no idea if it would work like that in reality. But, I stick to packing peanuts for that “reason”. I like the styrofoam corners plus peanuts approach. Thank you again!
This is really great advice! Eventually I am going to need help with a repair for my 1991 stereo receiver and one that I will be in no hurry to get rid of. I am currently doing research on a back up plan to replace it, just incase. Thanks Skylab Audio!!
Hey Kevin I have a McIntosh MA6100 can you work on it? Oh wait you DID and it sounds GREAT. See you in the spring I need my weekly trip to SKYLABS to see what is new/old. See you in the spring.
Great Vid Kevin, looking forward to the next one. The AR AU you repaired is still running great, it's the jewell in the crown of my vintage set-up. As soon as I get my hands on a good AR XA or find the parts I need to repair the one I have in my shop it will be a complete original early 70's AR set-up I wanted to buy when I came home from Vietnam but did not have the $ to buy. thank you for your vids and hard work: chet
You mentioned people saying, it does not sound the same as it used to. Then they say it has been years since they listened to the stereo receiver or other equipment. People's memory for audio is not accurate, just as it is not accurate for many things. People often look back and remember things better than they actually were. "The good old days." You mean back when you had no money and were starving? Yeah, then. Ha ha As you mentioned, they are often listening to the equipment in a different room. They may be using different speakers. Maybe they were using a different turntable with a different stylus. There are so many factors why it will not sound the same in reality or in their memory. People need to enjoy the sound they are getting, not some idealized sound in their heads.
Yep, I would not want to work a retail job where I had to deal with customers. In the movie Ford Versus Ferrari, the customer says, haven't you heard the saying the customer is always right? The mechanic/race car driver says, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. The customer is not always right. That should be obvious.
I have a crown dc300 optonica amplifier SM 1515 B Pioneer sa8100 Pioneer sx980 to mention a few I bought a spare one of everything for the I heard they only keep parts 7 years after that part was last used in production
As always it was an excellent presentation with your advises are all excellent also. It is almost same as selling on line the vintage equipments. There will be always someone who will not follow the common courtesies and just can't satisfy everyone out there due to human nature.
Catching up on your earlier videos. Thanks for the tips. I need to find a shop here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to see if my old JVC KD-V6 cassette deck is worth fixing. I bought the service manual to take with me to the technician, is that a good idea? It needs new belts and the left channel is dead. I like the 3 head design. In the meantime to play some of my old cassettes, I bought a JVC TD-R441 on eBay and it’s working fine. I’ve listened to some old recordings I made using type IV metal cassette tapes and they still sound excellent. One of these days I plan to get in my car and drive to Des Moines to have the pleasure of meeting you and enjoy seeing your store. Thanks for the great videos.
Another great video Kevin you're on my wavelength. Everything thing mentioned on this subject I've encountered as a vintage audio technician. Thanks a lot for uploading 😊 I think the next time I get a snaky customer I'll send them a link to this video and say "Watch this" 😁
Good tips , man ! Its sad to know that common sense and well educated person are no longer available anymore. It looks like we are the “vintage” guys …
Best way to test your vintage gear hold your gear upside down and give it a good shake the transistors, resistors and capacitors that fall out are the ones that need replacing.
Interesting and an important comment. They really shouldn't have a problem with that. I would let the shop know in advance that you feel more comfortable doing so and see what they say. If they advise against it, I would go elsewhere.
As a business, you must: pre-qualify customers and avoid difficult customers - comes with experience. Manage expectations upfront and explain the scope of work. Time wasters and complainers are the absolute worst customers.
im luck that im interested in vintage audio and am also a tech. i like modding my equipment to sound a specific way. i also increase the coupling capacitors to allow the amp to handle frequencies down to 1 hertz. i also design and bould my own cassette players and spectrum analysers. in fact im building my 60led bar graphs right now.
I agree with you that the high end equipment is easier to fix. It's the inexpensive Chinese built units that are hard to fix since the engineering is done on a "just make it work".
LOL! ...Be reasonable 🤣 . Always a good rule. I took a P/T job in retail after retiring from the trades. Whoooeee, I am really seeing how the general public acts and reacts. 10 percent are complete knuckleheads, and 10 percent of those are just downright mean. Unbelievable. Good luck Kevin!
A few things I learned in the late 70s. These from absolute gurus on how stereos work, as well as do and donts. 1) The actuial sound as you know it comes from your source as well as speakers , that meaning your speaker can and should be perfect to the music coming in. Doesn’t happen or mirror perfectly most times. But placement and Quality helps. Remember that just a different source (meaning a different CD) changes everything. 2) if you choose to upgrade, always go for the CD unit or turntable cartridge. If you upgrade the amp and have separates, you will do best to upgrade the pre amp rather than a power Amp. 3)A property functioning power amp, does not sound good or bad. You can augment this with your preamp controls. 3). Remember no amp should sound anything when setup properly. But I can say 100% if you up grade the preamp section it Is the best investment. I do see a bit higher quality sound upgrading the preamp. It should be true on integrated receivers to the most extent as well. 5). I’ll say it again Speaker are everything… Hope this helps! Best to everyone!
Most of my repairs are 3-4 months out. Got so busy a few months ago i had to turn away some work . Which i hate to do . The high end statement couldnt be truer lol
Thank you, Kevin, for covering important and foundational topics that are not getting covered, and for covering them in a way that increases civility. You're providing a really, really high value service for the community. Especially important with young people getting newly interested.
I have a harmon kardon receiver that has an intermittent problem with the right channel where the sound will cut out and then cut back in. The hardest thing is finding someone locally who can repair it.
I owned a computer repair shop 13 years ago and worked as a computer tech/Network Admin for over 20. Dealing with unreasonable customers is what made me go into a different field. I've ran off customers for being rude. When they ask for the owner and I say "I am the owner, take your item with you and don't come back". They think it's my place to bow down and lick their shoes clean and that's not going to happen. The customers expectations are higher than Willie Nelson 99% of the time. Theirs no way to truly get someone to appreciate the art and skill required to solve complex problems. Dude, your channel is full of practical information and help. I restore old receivers, integrated amps, etc. as a hobby and it's so much fun, yet very challenging at the same time. Thanks for putting out informative content.
Dude you're out of your cranium. I don't wait 2 months for no repair. Hire more techs if it takes you that long.
I would say that makes us both lucky.
And a double negative…
"There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless. Observe the ass, for instance: his character is about perfect, he is the choicest spirit among all the humbler animals, yet see what ridicule has brought him to. Instead of feeling complimented when we are called an ass, we are left in doubt."
- Mark Twain
I just wet myself a little, when I read your comment. I KNOW you were being funny...and you succeeded !
@@Walker.greg369 I though something was whacky - good catch
I love Kevin's imitation of the "audio snob". He's got the perfect voice for radio and "voice-over" work.
:)
/Bow
Yep
My local shop told me right up front they've got a 3 week backlog. I didn't tell them I wasn't in a rush, I told them, "I'm willing to wait my turn in line." When they called back with the estimate I told them to go ahead, when they called that is was ready I picked it up the next day. For them it's their business, from my end it's just a hobby, and stuff I've already had a long, long time. There's nothing worth getting upset about, or I'm in the wrong hobby.
I got into repairing vintage audio several years ago to help out a local record store (Atmosphere Collectables in Evansville, IN). We where talking about stuff and I mentioned that I repaired electronics for a hobby. Wow, they had a back room of broken stuff and it was like Christmas for me. Well, once I started repairing their stuff, people found out and started dumping stuff at the record store. Look, I do this for a hobby and enjoyment. I'm trying to keep some vintage Pioneers or Sansui out of the landfill. I can say, those guys in the back of your Skylabs' shop are doing it for love and passion.. The time consumes you while working on these goes past the time your sitting at the bench; I've woke up in the middle of the night, it's got to be a bad TO-92 on the power supply.. My top 2 customers I don't like: The guys that drop stuff off like it's a 1 hour oil change; I'll be back tomorrow to pick it up.. And the guy that got junk on a online auction and want's me to make rust work.. Then they are upset with me. I would say, 100 percent of the record stores regulars are awesome and know it's a record store and not a electronics repair store. Good luck to you and your shop, I know it's a lot of work and passion..
Thank you
Great advice. I took my Pioneer SX424 I bought in 1973 new) to be serviced locally and fortunately did all the things you suggested before handing it over. My hope is that it can be put right. Wait time is 6-7 weeks according to the owner of the shop and after seeing the piles of equipment in the shop, I can see why. One thing you missed in this video is the health of the repairmen/owner. Many of the guys that know and have repaired your old stuff are aging as well and not all of their system components are working 100% either! Be Patient is the key as you say.
AMEN Brother !
"Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
- Mark Twain
This is great advice. I repaired office machines, copiers, printers, some networks for 40 years. Customers would call us screaming that their machines were down and their reports were due yesterday etc, I would arrive and find out that there was a spot on the glass or one paper tray wasn't working. I even had a few that were not plugged in. I was always patient and nice because I liked easy fixes. When I retired I had received about 50 hugs and none of my co workers ever had even one. I win. LOL
👍🏻😁
I took my baby, my Pioneer SX-737 for repair to a shop in the Denver area. It was literally the first thing I bought with my first paychecks in 1975. The power switch wouldn’t turn off and the right channel wasn’t working. I reminded them that the x3x series were famous for having bad transistors. The owner was calm and said, let’s clean the switches and dials before we start thinking about replacing the transistors. I said “right, no point in replacing what might not need replacing.” He was right. The clean up fixed the whole unit. So happy. My 737 has a special place in my heart.
I would bet that 90% of parked Pioneer stuff will develop noisy pots.useless switches and one channel, no channel sound. If you use it,the switches may have cleaned themselves.Amazing that the contact area of the switch is called the wiper.I use De-oxit lightly .Rotate/operate the control fully a dozen times,rinse-repeat-lube
Pioneer got real big because they built real good. products for the money
Everything you said is great advice. I've had about 60 pieces of vintage gear seen to by my techs spening $25,000 having them repair my pieces. Showing your technician respect goes a LONG way. I recently brought in a corroded Sansui G-9000 that sat unused in an ocean side vacation home FOR YEARS! It was all rusted and pitted, my tech looked at me with mock exasperation asking me Mr. Wolf why do you bring me these challenges. I readied to take the Sansui G-9000 home! My tech said hey where ya going. I can fix it, its just a challenge. My tech told me he wouldn't do this for any other customer because it a full restore but for me. He'd do it. I just realized treating this guy well made this tech my blessing.
The Golden Rule ! "Do right for your own sake and be happy in knowing that your neighbor will certainly share in the benefits resulting."
- Mark Twain
I had my Sansui AU7900 go out 6 years ago. Had a bad experience with a local tech shop. Charged me $125 and blamed it on my speakers. I finally found a specialist Sansui shop 1/2 way across the country. Called and they put me in their que and told me not to ship for 7 months! Finally got approval to ship. Once arrived, they said it'd be 6 months before they will ship it back. My attitude is that I a grateful it will be repaired and it should last the rest of my life. Can't wait!
Let me see if I understand this. They have you waiting 7 months, then tell you it's going to be another 6 months before it's done? Man, they really ARE taking the piss.
My preferred repair man here in Australia took 14 months to repair my Sansui AU-6900 integrated amplifer. Why so long? He had to re-engineer the complete output stage of the amplifier as the original spec TO-3 output stage transistors (8 of 'em) were UNAVAILABLE. He used a higher grade of transistor to create more power (10%) than original spec. but used less transistors..this created a flow on of adjustments and upgrades to make the unit stable... He did a correct DC bias correction/setting and had it running for weeks at his workshop to ensure reliability. He inspected the entire board especially for leaking electrolytic capacitors etc. It sounds great is, fully functional completely unblemished on all panels; like new. Worth the wait; and while waiting I was listening to a Sony ES series receiver...a first-world problem.
The follow up to the techs is the best advice here. We have too little of them to begin with let alone pissing off the ones we have.
Well said Kevin. I love my vintage receivers. I've been lucky so far and never needed a major repair until I moved to South Carolina. Not having any luck finding a vintage repair shop. Only option seems to be ship it cross country. Shipping costs are crazy high.
Great topic, video, thank you for covering it. My tech shop is Inner Sound in Clackamas Oregon, I have been standing behind other customers listening to what you covered more than once 😆💥👍🏻. Last time I was there the lead time was two months, no problem Bless our vintage audio techs! I wish I could buy every one of them everywhere in the world a pizza!
I'm a tech. I specialize in turntables. People ask me all the time if I offer a warranty. I tell everybody I can't offer a warranty on 40, 50 year old equipment. I say any thing can go bad at anytime, or it could play the way it is for another 40, 50 years. Your right about the musicians. I had a guitar player tell me his Turntable was 1/32nd to slow. He brought it back multiple times and I finally told him I can't make it better than what my meter says. The speeds were perfect by the way. LOL
Yup, always the guitar player... Lol
Great list. Remember everyone, as your mother used to say "treat techs like you want to be treated" and bring donuts.
Techs do love donuts. That is very true!
"Do right for your own sake and be happy in knowing that your neighbor will certainly share in the benefits resulting."
- Mark Twain
The Golden Rule !
Kevin, you have Nailed It Perfectly.
This video should be mandatory viewing for anyone who will ever have anything repaired
... in other words, Every Person In The World.
Great video Kevin! I work in one of these shops and I could go on for days with stories... Kindness always gets you way farther when it comes to this stuff. I get beat up several times a day and it doesn't make things better for anybody.
Thank you! Always fun trading war stories over some D4 :)
@@skylabsaudio you mean D5 right?😂
lol- Playing D4 while taking shots of D5
Thanks for another one Kevin. I really look forward to these!
exactly on point - if you like vintage, please be reasonable for all of us, not just technicians
"Man is the Reasoning Animal. Such is the claim. I think it is open to dispute."
- Mark Twain
I'm very lucky to have a brother that's a retired technician. I will pick up a vintage on the cheap and bring it to him. Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes not.
9:17, when i was fixing my Pioneer sa7800, i was actually gone my way out and shotgun approached my amplifiers, capacitors were getting hot, they were acting as resistors, almost all the transistors were leaky, and i got good transistors from reputable space, (mouser) and i had to mod it switch arround a few resistor value for the new transistors, so it will be functional, new outputs, needed to make a new transformer, a new vu meter, both diy. and now i have a very good amplifier.
And still i dont know how it sounded before, because i got this amplifier in a rough exploded condition, but i like the sound and its warmness that it still can produce! I'm very happy with it.
I had my Yamaha CR-2020 receiver (purchased back in 1978) rebuilt by a reputable shop. It was 8 weeks before I received an estimate (as promised) and two weeks after that before the repairs were completed. Seven months later and it's still performing like new. I was never in a hurry to get it back. This store/shop deals with a lot of vintage equipment but they also sell current state of the art stuff as well. Great advice Kevin!
Yes the place that does all my service has an 8 week wait list also. For $100 extra you can jump one item to the front of the cue for estimates.
I am very lucky to have an extremely knowledgable friend who does most of my gear repairs. And I always insist on paying him more than he would ask for and give him all the time he needs. These units are oldtimers after all and proper service repair is a precious artform.
At least a stereo has two channels, you can reference a failed side against the functioning side. That helps for a majority of the path. Obviously not all.
The absolute worst device to repair was a analog “box” TV. Now they seem mostly disposable and all for the better. Having worked as a TV tech in the late seventies I was glad to see a stereo come in!
That said, your presentation was spot on!
Thank you sir. We can appreciate every point made here. In our opinion, customer service is THE most brutal part of retail.🎧
And Write Notes to give them!!!! So simple of a little thing can save big Money!
Great Video
Your comment about cars reminded me of taking my first car to a local mechanic and telling him that it sounds like it has emphysema. Who would have ever thought that a failing water pump on a 1976 Datsun B-210 would make that sound?
One of your best! I dealt with all these categories of customers. Good thing is they're around 1 out of 10. Otherwise I would have quitted or be in jail...😁Great points were a) dont wait 2 years to try something that was repaired today, b) the "is it going to work for the next 40 years?", silly question and c) cocky musicians who just because they play good, connect stuff together and set up menus, when it comes down to servicing they think we care or understand about brown, orange or royal blue tones and timbre. Keep it up, mate! That was brilliant!
I liked the "sound difference". I got that same thing after a repair. I just thought there was something not quite in the same spec that it went in, likely because it was nearly failing and now the new replacement parts have changed other values of other failing parts. I never thought it was an issue.
All of the great advice,damn straight
Here's one:
Man brings in his amp- agrees on the terms & estimate-.gets it fixed- in a month he's notified to arrange pickup but he's now in Bankruptcy.
He asks-How much is it worth to you?
You do the math but he still owes $$$ and threatens to sue you
Dealing with the public AND concentrating on a repair later is sometimes impossible.-
Kevin, I really love your channel and wish I didn’t live 500 miles away in southern Indiana. Thanks for keeping this hobby alive for the next generations. Johnny D
The tech I took my Marantz 2220B didn't accomplish anything. I had to do it myself. However, all I did was spray all the controls with Deoxit (the left/right signal slider was the most difficult to access), and use a small bit of abrasive paper soaked in rubbing alcohol or Deoxit (can't remember which) in between the two contacts of a relay hidden deep within the bowels of the thing. Maybe I didn't even have to do the latter, since the last thing I ever did to the unit while tearing my hair out in exasperation was the left/right control. And I don't know a thing about all this stuff. All I did was watch few youtube videos. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to the internet for enabling me to fix the old Marantz that I earned with my dishwashing money back in 1976.
Most techs are quirky, it's in the job description. As a tech in a different field for 49 years, I can attest to some of the oddest yet brilliant professionals at work in the shop behind the scenes. Repairing equipment is extremely satisfying for those of us destined to do it. Cheers. senior from Canada
Well, out here in Honolulu Hawaii. just about all the technicians who used to work on vintage audio equipment have retired or closed shop. When it comes to newer equipment most people trash it unless it's high end gear. Your advice is spot on, very informative.
Great content, Kevin. A friend of mine had a Mcintosh C31V control center in for repair, and the turn around time was 1 year.
He waited for it patiently, brought it home and the repair lasted 2 months before the symptom appeared again. I was a technician for 20 years, and was hesitant to give it a shot, it being part of a high end audio system. As mentioned , these pieces are 40 + years old, and anything can happen.
Best vintage audio video I have ever watched, Kevin!
Anyone owning vintage audio components should do themselves a favor & watch this.
Spoiler Alert: Many pearls of wisdom in here.
As Zeppelin’s song ‘Communication Breakdown’ teaches us, it’s all about proper communication…also minding one’s manners & practicing patience.
This one deserves praise from all who own & love vintage audio gear.
“Orange?” LMAO! Thanks for pic of Bob. Had not known he had passed. Took vintage gear to him back in the day and that gear still going strong today. As someone who is non technical I very much appreciate techs, including those at Skylabs, their talent and the magic they do so we can continue enjoying these amazing music machines for years to come.
All true, if/when owning vintage gear, a good tech is priceless and there are not that many around any longer. Being patient for repairs and not underestimating multiple different problems is part of the hobby when dealing with 50 + year old receivers/amps. It can be frustrating as it is my case with an SX780, cosmetically looking almost brand new, but on the 4th and different issue, or a pure joy as in an SX550 bought more than 4 years ago for almost nothing and sounding great and trouble free.
Great advice in going to a thrift store to get "something" as substitute when the main piece is out for service. Lately I bought a Technics SA 104 at a thrift shop for $10.00, looks and sounds good, did I need it? No, but 10 bucks? I'll find some use for it. Great hobby! Great videos.
I am very fortunate in that there is a record store 3 miles from me who has been in business since 1962 that buys, sells and services stereo equipment.
An accurate depiction based on my experience as a consumer of vintage electronics.
I've seen technicians doing a full recap and wonder how expensive since time suggests doings take more than half a day.
Great video Kevin. I sold gear back in the day and have owned plenty of vintage gear. I have found a wonderful repair guy in my town, and, because I was in the biz on the sales side decades ago, we can have great conversations. But it starts with trouble shooting at home, just like you've said in your previous videos. I like being part of the process and I know I have. Thanks again.
Dang it man, I was in such a good mood when I started watchin' this video. Now I look at my vintage system and wonder what's gonna go next? This bummed me out. Gotta go smoke a joint and chill. Ya sound like my doctor. I guess nobody likes bad news.
Love the tech trying to figure out the "sound of brown or orange", lol! Great advice all through this.
I'm guilty of not trying out my CD player soon after I got it back. I waited 3 weeks before I tried it and guess what .. it was not playing the CDs. I took it back and they cleaned it up and did mechanical align and adjust. Fixed it no charge with warranty. All the other tips I pretty much had it my mode of behavior before watching this vid. I had two other pieces worked on and took back the cassette deck after it was not playing steady. It's still over there.
Very intelligent channel , I’d let um work on any of my equipment if I were closer , but I do have a 70 yr old guy who’s retired from this type work an still does it in the side he an his wife run small A 1 Electronic repair service in Shelby NC , an the guys good at it , an friendly an tells u like it is , fix or not it’s your money he says ❤ that
Really good advice man, thank you!
I just wanted to take a second to say thank you for the videos you make and the knowledge and experience that you share.
A lot of this information just isn't very easily available, and a lot of knowledgeable folks keep the information under lock and key, perhaps believing that their value is increased by their unwillingness to share what they have learned.
Not only do you share the information but you take the time to deliver it in a manner that is comprehendable for a wide variety of viewers knowledge levels.
1 more thought.
The description of sound using colors as descriptive tool hasn't been a key to enlightenment, at least not for me.
Thanks again Brudda.
Bungeebill
Hood Rat Records
🎩✌️🐀🧿
This was really helpful as my Pioneer QX-949 is in the shop now and I was told 3-4 months before it gets on the bench! I have the fear of sticker shock coming but I was specific about the phono stage being the problem. Keep up the great videos!!!
Great tips! I honor all of these tips and more when getting my gear serviced. There is never a gain doubting a technician and getting even a little pushy. I replaced all my stereo gear a year ago due to the deterioration you mentioned regarding aging equipment.
I was patient with the repair of my AU-999. It sat in a shop a “Hi-Fi” shop in Minneapolis for 2 years! Two figgin’ years! And this was supposed to be a reputable shop.
My first phone was after a month - too busy. Next one after two months - too busy. After laying low a bit longer, no longer returned my phone calls.
Finally had to threaten to sue, two weeks later got it back with this big long explanation on what he (which was to go on Audiokarma and take their advice), worked for two weeks then the same problem. Called, nope, technician moved to a Scandinavian country with his wife. It is a two way street, Kevin.
It's absolutely a two way street.
That sounds like a terrible experience. I would only assume that situation was rare? I can't imagine any business staying open if that's a common occurrence.
As usual, that's great real world advice Kevin. I know dealing with the public is not easy and a challenge in itself
Thank you. 99.5% of our customers are awesome. I've found simply explaining our process and what to expect during the check-in process helps immensely.
Well, glad I didn't commit any of these. Had my Onkyo M504 repaired by a vintage tech. It was almost 2 months total. I was patient and didn't call for followups. All good.
Friday night after a back-breaking week of work.... The Marantz cranked up, a couple of beers in my belly, and the Doobie Brothers taking it all away.... The heady aroma of ozone coming off a hot amp.... MMMMM...
A little self repair/investigating on why something doesnt work is precious. I used to do service calls on John Deere equipment, a lot of expensive lawn mowers. More than once, got a call to check out a lawnmower "than just quit running". I got in the habit of checking for gas in the tank, first thing. Was not my decision to make, my business still charged for the service call.
Excellent Video ! Every word EXACT. ( I have an audio service shop too. ) Thanks Kevin !
Another great video and good advice. I just heard on Friday night that a repair tech had a pair of McIntosh SS amps for 2years. That's really a bit much and I offered to look at them (only think one had a problem) if he drove the 2hrs to my place. The only thing that I disagree with you is that I almost always would plug in the customer's unit while they were waiting and verify the problem and give them a "ballpark" estimate. A bit more difficult to do with audio gear but sometimes the person may have accidentally pressed the Tape monitor button....
Brought in a CT- F21 tape deck,
Told him it stops while playing, also there is slack.or loose tape.
He told me, " that helps,a lot."
When I get a rcvr back. He fires it up to show me.
Just watched the video where you received a poorly packed receiver by mail or whatever and some glass was broken and knobs bent.
i think it would be a real service if you made a video about packaging and shipping.
Maybe some things should never get shipped? Different ways to package. Specific advice about different services? Like you mentioned using USPS fragile stickers instead of your own.
Maybe even advice on how to protect yourself buying online, and how to be fair to sellers, et cetera.
Maybe you've already made these! Slowly making my way thru all your uniformly helpful and interesting videos, thank you!!!
I worked in retail decades ago and sometimes got things ready for shipping. Here's what I reccomend:
First, get some desiccant gel packs. I have a bunch that come with my vitamins, so I am already good to go on that.
Second, a decent weight plastic bag. Put equipment plus desiccant packs in the bag, and tape closed.
Third, styrofoam. Preferably from a piece of equipment of some kind, ideally 8 corner protection pieces, tape onto the corners.
Fourth, packing material. That could be something like "flo-pack," the styrofoam packing "peanuts," a whole bunch of bubble wrap (one reason why you want something on those corners), or some other cushioning material. Get a good, sturdy box, pack it in there well.
Last, get a slightly larger, sturdy box, more packing material, and pack the box with the equipment in it into the larger box with cushioning around the smaller box.
I know this sounds like overkill, but I do remember seeing a brand new computer tumble out of the back of a delivery truck once, and I have received boxes that were obviously impacted by something between the shipping dock and being delivered.
Or, ideally, you kept the original box and packing material that came with the equipment, and some "helpful" person didn't dispose of it as a favor (thinking of you, mom, rest in peace).
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Thank you! I save those desiccants, too, for no particular reason except figured could come in handy some day. Now I have a use! Bubble always gets me wondering…. Say it gets dropped from a truck, the bubble does its job, but pops in the process. Leaving the piece vulnerable to a second drop. Totally just my mental simulation, and have no idea if it would work like that in reality. But, I stick to packing peanuts for that “reason”. I like the styrofoam corners plus peanuts approach. Thank you again!
This is really great advice! Eventually I am going to need help with a repair for my 1991 stereo receiver and one that I will be in no hurry to get rid of. I am currently doing research on a back up plan to replace it, just incase. Thanks Skylab Audio!!
Interesting, I'm in the middle of fixing a Toshiba SC330 amp, so interesting listening 'from the other side'
Hey Kevin I have a McIntosh MA6100 can you work on it? Oh wait you DID and it sounds GREAT. See you in the spring I need my weekly trip to SKYLABS to see what is new/old. See you in the spring.
Spring? You're gonna miss all the good weather :)
Hope you're having a great time, Rick
@@skylabsaudio Thanks Kevin I am I have been doing a lot of RC Flying down here although it has been kind of windy. Suppose to be 70 all this week.
Great Vid Kevin, looking forward to the next one. The AR AU you repaired is still running great, it's the jewell in the crown of my vintage set-up. As soon as I get my hands on a good AR XA or find the parts I need to repair the one I have in my shop it will be a complete original early 70's AR set-up I wanted to buy when I came home from Vietnam but did not have the $ to buy. thank you for your vids and hard work: chet
Thank you, Chet. Glad you are enjoying the AR. That's a keeper!
You mentioned people saying, it does not sound the same as it used to. Then they say it has been years since they listened to the stereo receiver or other equipment. People's memory for audio is not accurate, just as it is not accurate for many things.
People often look back and remember things better than they actually were. "The good old days." You mean back when you had no money and were starving? Yeah, then. Ha ha
As you mentioned, they are often listening to the equipment in a different room. They may be using different speakers. Maybe they were using a different turntable with a different stylus. There are so many factors why it will not sound the same in reality or in their memory. People need to enjoy the sound they are getting, not some idealized sound in their heads.
I repair my own electronics and will never wait to be over charged for what often takes very little time to get done.
Working with people is the hardest.
Yep, I would not want to work a retail job where I had to deal with customers.
In the movie Ford Versus Ferrari, the customer says, haven't you heard the saying the customer is always right? The mechanic/race car driver says, that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
The customer is not always right. That should be obvious.
Very helpful. Thanks as always.
I have a crown dc300 optonica amplifier SM 1515 B
Pioneer sa8100
Pioneer sx980 to mention a few I bought a spare one of everything for the I heard they only keep parts 7 years after that part was last used in production
Definitely gonna be a fun one
As always it was an excellent presentation with your advises are all excellent also. It is almost same as selling on line the vintage equipments. There will be always someone who will not follow the common courtesies and just can't satisfy everyone out there due to human nature.
Catching up on your earlier videos. Thanks for the tips.
I need to find a shop here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to see if my old JVC KD-V6 cassette deck is worth fixing. I bought the service manual to take with me to the technician, is that a good idea?
It needs new belts and the left channel is dead. I like the 3 head design. In the meantime to play some of my old cassettes, I bought a JVC TD-R441 on eBay and it’s working fine. I’ve listened to some old recordings I made using type IV metal cassette tapes and they still sound excellent.
One of these days I plan to get in my car and drive to Des Moines to have the pleasure of meeting you and enjoy seeing your store. Thanks for the great videos.
Another great video Kevin you're on my wavelength. Everything thing mentioned on this subject I've encountered as a vintage audio technician. Thanks a lot for uploading 😊 I think the next time I get a snaky customer I'll send them a link to this video and say "Watch this" 😁
Good tips , man ! Its sad to know that common sense and well educated person are no longer available anymore. It looks like we are the “vintage” guys …
Thank you
Best way to test your vintage gear hold your gear upside down and give it a good shake the transistors, resistors and capacitors that fall out are the ones that need replacing.
I'll try that this week. Thanks
Opinions: Is it a bad thing to remove the faceplate and wood top before I dropped a unit off to a tech to keep it from getting (more) dinged up?
Interesting and an important comment. They really shouldn't have a problem with that. I would let the shop know in advance that you feel more comfortable doing so and see what they say. If they advise against it, I would go elsewhere.
Thanks for the advice!
thanks for the heads up,so true!
I’m picturing Jerry Seinfelds Sabb mechanic…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the videos and the information.
I have friends that are automotive technicians with some being restorers or speed shops, they have some thoughts very much along the same lines.
I am sure they do! Thanks for watching
Right on sir thank you.
As a business, you must: pre-qualify customers and avoid difficult customers - comes with experience. Manage expectations upfront and explain the scope of work.
Time wasters and complainers are the absolute worst customers.
💯
hello kevin, I appreciate your advice and I continue to follow you !
I am my own tech - if you want to collect this stuff DIY is an option. Still need to be patient and do the research, and know your limitations
Great advice from a trusted source
Thanks on this.
im luck that im interested in vintage audio and am also a tech. i like modding my equipment to sound a specific way. i also increase the coupling capacitors to allow the amp to handle frequencies down to 1 hertz.
i also design and bould my own cassette players and spectrum analysers. in fact im building my 60led bar graphs right now.
Ask ween they definitely have an algorithm for brown sound
I agree with you that the high end equipment is easier to fix. It's the inexpensive Chinese built units that are hard to fix since the engineering is done on a "just make it work".
Of course our equipment isn’t going to sound like it “used to” 25 years ago! We’re all 25 years older and our hearing is deteriorating!
LOL! ...Be reasonable 🤣 . Always a good rule. I took a P/T job in retail after retiring from the trades. Whoooeee, I am really seeing how the general public acts and reacts. 10 percent are complete knuckleheads, and 10 percent of those are just downright mean. Unbelievable.
Good luck Kevin!
Thank you ...
Hey! Do a review of all of John Cusack’s audio gear in the the movie High Fidelity! That would make a great episode!
A few things I learned in the late 70s. These from absolute gurus on how stereos work, as well as do and donts.
1) The actuial sound as you know it comes from your source as well as speakers , that meaning your speaker can and should be perfect to the music coming in. Doesn’t happen or mirror perfectly most times. But placement and Quality helps. Remember that just a different source (meaning a different CD) changes everything.
2) if you choose to upgrade, always go for the CD unit or turntable cartridge. If you upgrade the amp and have separates, you will do best to upgrade the pre amp rather than a power Amp.
3)A property functioning power amp, does not sound good or bad. You can augment this with your preamp controls.
3). Remember no amp should sound anything when setup properly. But I can say 100% if you up grade the preamp section it Is the best investment. I do see a bit higher quality sound upgrading the preamp. It should be true on integrated receivers to the most extent as well.
5). I’ll say it again Speaker are everything…
Hope this helps!
Best to everyone!
Very usefull video. Thank you so much!
Most of my repairs are 3-4 months out. Got so busy a few months ago i had to turn away some work . Which i hate to do . The high end statement couldnt be truer lol
We are on hold too. Sometimes you just gotta clear out the backlog and start fresh. Thanks for watching
Thank you, Kevin, for covering important and foundational topics that are not getting covered, and for covering them in a way that increases civility. You're providing a really, really high value service for the community. Especially important with young people getting newly interested.
I have a harmon kardon receiver that has an intermittent problem with the right channel where the sound will cut out and then cut back in. The hardest thing is finding someone locally who can repair it.
Being a good/great tech is an art form seated in knowledge and experiance. I LOVE MY TECH!
"The compliment that helps us on our way is not the one that is shut up in the mind, but the one that is spoken out."
- Mark Twain
I owned a computer repair shop 13 years ago and worked as a computer tech/Network Admin for over 20. Dealing with unreasonable customers is what made me go into a different field. I've ran off customers for being rude. When they ask for the owner and I say "I am the owner, take your item with you and don't come back". They think it's my place to bow down and lick their shoes clean and that's not going to happen. The customers expectations are higher than Willie Nelson 99% of the time. Theirs no way to truly get someone to appreciate the art and skill required to solve complex problems. Dude, your channel is full of practical information and help. I restore old receivers, integrated amps, etc. as a hobby and it's so much fun, yet very challenging at the same time. Thanks for putting out informative content.
I am a service technician and the one common thread for virtually all repairs: It's an "emergency" 🚨 repair!
Great advice
Sound memory can be very short, on the order of seconds. That's why serious audio research includes instantaneous A/B comparisons.