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Storage Of Audio Gear

Hi, I'm just wondering - I have a few vintage receivers, but only have one in use at one time. For the ones not being used, would it be of any benefit to periodically flip them over on the shelf, and store them for a while upside down? Would this get the fluid in the capacitors moving and extend their life?
 
Jim H B said:
Hi, I'm just wondering - I have a few vintage receivers, but only have one in use at one time. For the ones not being used, would it be of any benefit to periodically flip them over on the shelf, and store them for a while upside down? Would this get the fluid in the capacitors moving and extend their life?
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No. The electrolyte in electrolytic capacitors -- the only kind where this might matter -- is more gel-like than fluid and permeates the spacer material. It does not flow, so orientation has no effect.

Electrolytic capacitors fail in storage because they are typically sealed with a rubber seal that dries out over time, particularly when subject to severe heat or cold, causing the electrolyte to evaporate. Orientation won't affect this.
 
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DaveVoorhis said:
No. The electrolyte in electrolytic capacitors -- the only kind where this might matter -- is more gel-like than fluid and permeates the spacer material. It does not flow, so orientation has no effect.

Electrolytic capacitors fail in storage because they are typically sealed with a rubber seal that dries out over time, particularly when subject to severe heat or cold, causing the electrolyte to evaporate. Orientation won't affect this.
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Great explanation Dave - thanks. Also - I see the HK 401 integrated amp on your avatar - this was my first piece of real audio gear (nice upgrade from the record player/radio/speakers combo I had). It was a "gateway" amp - I now have the 403 tuner, two 330c receivers, a 430, and a 730 receiver from that line. A 670 receiver from the line that came out after that, and several pieces from the 825, etc line that came out after that. Hope you're still enjoying your HK!
 
Jim H B said:
I see the HK 401 integrated amp on your avatar - this was my first piece of real audio gear (nice upgrade from the record player/radio/speakers combo I had). It was a "gateway" amp - I now have the 403 tuner, two 330c receivers, a 430, and a 730 receiver from that line. A 670 receiver from the line that came out after that, and several pieces from the 825, etc line that came out after that. Hope you're still enjoying your HK!
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I still have it -- it was my first piece of "real" audio gear too, after many youthful DIY experiments with home-brew tube amplifiers, salvaged and repaired 8-track and cassette decks, repurposed-for-music university language-lab reel-to-reel tape decks, and a gaggle of vintage radios.

I have a second A-401 too, but both are in storage for some future (and as-yet undetermined) purpose.

I also have a T403 tuner, two A-402 integrated amplifiers -- one in storage for parts, and one in perfect shape and regular use -- and an HK6100 I use with my home-office computers.
 
Cool, I always wanted an A-402, with the lights. I would still rate the T403 as one of the best sounding tuners I've had. I really liked the HK styling of that line. I have a brochure of that HK line - I thought the brochure was pretty artistic. If I can dig it up, I'll post pictures.

Did either of your A-401 have a "pop" when you turned it on? The second one I had did - I had schematics for the 401 at one time, that showed HK implemented a fix for this at some point in it's production run. I just made sure my was turned all the way down when I turned it on.
 
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pioneervato said:
That's probably what I will need to do. The difficult part will be which ones do I let go? I guess we will see.
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Air conditioned closet, you never know when you might need that stuff lol. I've had amps sit around for two yrs, then find a use, or as a gift for someone in need. Same with speakers, turntables, and DVD players.
 
Jim H B said:
Did either of your A-401 have a "pop" when you turned it on? The second one I had did - I had schematics for the 401 at one time, that showed HK implemented a fix for this at some point in it's production run.
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My original one has the factory "soft start" circuit shown in the later schematics, so no pop.

My second one, I'm not sure. I bought it non-working and haven't got around to working on it yet.
 
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