Bradbrews
Well-Known Member
First a bit of an introduction:
My vinyl got sent to the basement many years ago, along with the PL-5 turntable, and the Dual 510. The cassettes also live down there with the TEAC V-850X. I have a second system down there that I use when I spend time on projects. I usually spin vinyl, but decided a while back to play a tape. The TEAC would not engage to play, and in an effort to fix it, I found you guys. The deck is fixed now - new belt- and I've been learning all about my old gear from the archives here.
Now back in ~1990 I got an SX-1010 from a friend who knew I fixed things. He said the transformer was blown - apparently it had happened once before many years ago - and he was done with it. I verified the failed transformer, open primary I think, but 1990 was a long time ago. Anyway, I could not obtain a new one for a reasonable price then, and decided to bring the unit partially back to life with transformers I had in the stash. I found that with two units I could turn the SX-1010 into a functioning tuner, and phono preamp. It was my only tuner until HD radio started being broadcast, when it too joined the basement system.
Now, with renewed interest in the SX-1010 I procured a transformer at a reasonable price, and I would like to see if I can't make it whole again. You can see the two transformers I used. IIRC the small one is just for the lights.
I've read a fair amount on the importance of using a DBT, power supply rebuilds, tickling the dragon, and not rushing forth, so my question is how should I proceed to replace my old repair with the proper transformer?
Should I just hook the new one up and power it on with a DBT? I know the non amp section of the unit functions today. I don't know why the transformer failed, but the thought was maybe lightning or power surge, but twice? I do know the two failures were years apart, not back to back, so that might mean two different causes.
I'm no tech, but I've got a Fluke 87, an old B&K scope, and a few years of electronics classes in the 80's before everything went digital on me. I've only got wick for desoldering, but if I need to rebuild the power supply a few new tools are always fun to add to the collection.
My vinyl got sent to the basement many years ago, along with the PL-5 turntable, and the Dual 510. The cassettes also live down there with the TEAC V-850X. I have a second system down there that I use when I spend time on projects. I usually spin vinyl, but decided a while back to play a tape. The TEAC would not engage to play, and in an effort to fix it, I found you guys. The deck is fixed now - new belt- and I've been learning all about my old gear from the archives here.
Now back in ~1990 I got an SX-1010 from a friend who knew I fixed things. He said the transformer was blown - apparently it had happened once before many years ago - and he was done with it. I verified the failed transformer, open primary I think, but 1990 was a long time ago. Anyway, I could not obtain a new one for a reasonable price then, and decided to bring the unit partially back to life with transformers I had in the stash. I found that with two units I could turn the SX-1010 into a functioning tuner, and phono preamp. It was my only tuner until HD radio started being broadcast, when it too joined the basement system.
Now, with renewed interest in the SX-1010 I procured a transformer at a reasonable price, and I would like to see if I can't make it whole again. You can see the two transformers I used. IIRC the small one is just for the lights.
I've read a fair amount on the importance of using a DBT, power supply rebuilds, tickling the dragon, and not rushing forth, so my question is how should I proceed to replace my old repair with the proper transformer?
Should I just hook the new one up and power it on with a DBT? I know the non amp section of the unit functions today. I don't know why the transformer failed, but the thought was maybe lightning or power surge, but twice? I do know the two failures were years apart, not back to back, so that might mean two different causes.
I'm no tech, but I've got a Fluke 87, an old B&K scope, and a few years of electronics classes in the 80's before everything went digital on me. I've only got wick for desoldering, but if I need to rebuild the power supply a few new tools are always fun to add to the collection.