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Just picked up a Knight KU-45 Receiver - May need some guidance

Tim D

Tim D

Super Member
Picked up a Knight KU-45 stereo receiver tonight for $50 from CL. The seller demo'd it and the FM and amp play "ok". The tuning eye works too. No major problems with it excepting that the AM doesn't work. It will need a full cleaning and checkout and I'm thinking a full restoration. He said that he recapped the power supply a few years back and he replaced the output tubes about 8 years ago. It is really dirty and doesn't look like it was well cared for. It needs the selector knob. He replaced it with some ugly black knob he had on hand. I haven't verified if it is the KU-45 or the KU-45A yet and I haven't verified if it has the "Multiplex" option.

Any suggestions on where to get the assembly manual and a knob for the selector?

I'll need some guidance as I dig into it.
 
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gadget73 said:
Some pics of the knobs might help. Wouldn't surprise me if Knight used the same knobs on other gear. Someone here on BT may have one.

Manuals, not sure. Those seem to be very hit or miss.

http://www.vintagemanuals.com/manual/Knight-Kit/KU-45,+83YU619,+83YU993

comes up, but you may be able to dig up one for free if you spend some time at it.
Click to expand...

Hi gadget73,

Yeah. I saw the one on the vintage manual site, but it was about $30. I'll keep looking. I'll get some pics of the unit and the knobs and post them this weekend.

I might try posting on Bartertown to see if anyone responds. Thanks.
 
Just to jump start the thread, here are some pics....... The knob is the obvious black one. I need one that matches the others.
IMG_2584.JPG IMG_2585.JPG IMG_2586.JPG IMG_2587.JPG IMG_2588.JPG IMG_2589.JPG IMG_2590.JPG IMG_2591.JPG
 
With the cover off I can see how super dirty this thing is. I also see some minor issues such as the string is patched and in trying the dial it doesn't traverse all the way because of a repair in the cord. Also it appears to be missing at least 4 shields on some of the smaller tubes that have bases for them. I didn't get a full accounting of the tubes, but some of them are "Made in Russia".

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated. I'd like to restore this on a relative budget (because it won't ever be worth a lot), but I like a challenge and the enjoyment of the journey.
 
the board in the front left corner circled in yellow is the multiplex unit, DO NOT do anything to it other than pulling and testing the tubes, replacing if bad. You might be able to replace the wax cap on the MPX top as long as you match value and voltage without hurting anything.



knight 45.jpg
 
larryderouin said:
the board in the front left corner circled in yellow is the multiplex unit, DO NOT do anything to it other than pulling and testing the tubes, replacing if bad. You might be able to replace the wax cap on the MPX top as long as you match value and voltage without hurting anything.



View attachment 895498
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Perfect larryderouin. That's the kind of info I need. Thanks!
 
Nice looking Receiver! Plus...has a multiplex built in for true stereo....Nice.

Finding some tube shields will be no problem....I've got lots of em.

There is a sticky thread in the Fisher Forum on deep cleaning a find like yours....good info.
 
Leland47 said:
Nice look

ing Receiver! Plus...has a multiplex built in for true stereo....Nice.

Finding some tube shields will be no problem....I've got lots of em.

There is a sticky thread in the Fisher Forum on deep cleaning a find like yours....good info.
Click to expand...

Thanks Leland47. Just read through that thread in the Fisher Forum and it's wonderful! That's more of the kind of help I need.

BTW, does anyone own one of these? More comments?
 
Tim; That's NOT Dirt, That's Patina. Most likely the chassis is plated with_________(I forgot with what...getting Ol'timers disease i 'spect), but it doesn't have too much of a shine and it will collect body oils and environmental stuff. Just clean it and don't worry about "Bling" on the chassis. Just the faceplate and cover. Using Metal polish removes the plating, and then you have to polish it yearly. It should clean up some. My Sansui 1000 looks somewhat like that. I stripped the transformers off as they had wax around them, but it turned out they weren't potted and the wax came from the main filter caps. What a mess. I still wasn't able to get all the wax off using non destructive means. But it looks better.

Larry
 
Tim D said:
With the cover off I can see how super dirty this thing is. I also see some minor issues such as the string is patched and in trying the dial it doesn't traverse all the way because of a repair in the cord. Also it appears to be missing at least 4 shields on some of the smaller tubes that have bases for them. I didn't get a full accounting of the tubes, but some of them are "Made in Russia".

Any comments/suggestions are appreciated. I'd like to restore this on a relative budget (because it won't ever be worth a lot), but I like a challenge and the enjoyment of the journey.
Click to expand...

No such thing as a "cheap restoration" when it comes to tube gear. Best to restore it and keep it to enjoy. You are correct, it will not be worth a whole lot for a quick flip, but longterm enjoyment of its sonic properties would be the goal on this one I'd think. Paired with a nice pair of ARs, KLHs, or Optimus-1s it will sound very nice indeed.
 
Tim D said:
I'm doing it for the long term enjoyment.
Click to expand...

Then I wouldn't worry about cost vs inherent value. The older it gets, the more rare it will get as fewer will most likely be found, especially in working order. That in turn should bring the value of it up to a collector down the road. In the mean time, fix it and enjoy it :)
 
Did you ever find a schematic for the KU-45?
It appears to possibly have been made for Allied by Grommes, as were many of their HiFi and PA amplifiers of that era.
 
podbaydoors said:
Did you ever find a schematic for the KU-45?
It appears to possibly have been made for Allied by Grommes, as were many of their HiFi and PA amplifiers of that era.
Click to expand...

podbaydoors,

I believe I did get the assembly manual and I think it came with the schematic. I'll take a look when I get home and report back. I haven't touched the unit yet. I'm still looking for the selector switch knob btw.

Hmmm. Grommes. I'm not familiar with them. I'll have to do a search to see if there are similar units from that manufacturer.
 
podbaydoors,

So I do have the assembly manual but it is for the 'A' version and I do have the schematic. I don't know what are the differences between the KU-45 and the KU-45A. Here they are:

IMG_0818.JPG IMG_0819.JPG IMG_0820.JPG
 
Picked up a second one (actually an 'A' model this time). It's in better condition and has the wood case and all the knobs. It's still in transit so I'm hoping that it doesn't get damaged in shipping.

Still haven't worked on the first one. I did open it a few months ago to look around though and found the output tubes are a mismatched mess of 6BQ5's and Russian tubes (maybe 6P14P or some such). Well, I most certainly should be able to get one or both running nicely once I dig into them.

Still would like to know what are the differences between the KU45 and the KU45A.
 
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