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technics st-8600 tuner refurb and mods

rpeter46

rpeter46

Active Member
I recently acquired a pretty nice st-8600 tuner with matching su-8600 amp. I like the look and the sound already- but I would like to venture out into deeper waters, and use this as a little bit of a learning tool to replace the power supply capacitors(for starters) and make some modest mods. I know that it is a respectable tuner, but I haven't seen ANY thread listing refurbing or mods for this tuna! Am I blind, or is no one messing with this one? And if so, why??
BTW, can anyone recommend a great fundamental book to get me started? I know just enough to be REAAALLLLY dangerous to myself!:D thanks!
 
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Do you have the service manuals?

Before using either as a learning tool:

Determine what your goals are and why?

Are you trying to improve DXing capabilities?

The ST-8600 is an excellent tuner. And sounds great stock.

Are there problems now? Does the tuner need to be aligned and adjusted?

... and the SU-8600 is one of my favorite integrateds.

Being dangerous to yourself is one thing, being dangerous to a perfectly working vintage component is something else ... :D
 
Terra1
thanks. The tuner is fine as it sits. Howe ver, I would like to replace its 35 year old caps and am interested in making some tweeks along the way that would improve its sonics. I certainly don't mean to endanger any vintage electronics without good cause. My real project for the future is an mx110 that my dad bought new and is in die need of help. I can't practice on that one!
 
Oh, and yes. I did download the service manuals. They do sound good already. But there's always riroom for improvement, right? :-)
 
rpeter46 said:
Oh, and yes. I did download the service manuals. They do sound good already. But there's always riroom for improvement, right? :-)
Click to expand...
Not if you don't know what you can affect.

But you can start out by searching threads to see what others have asked about:
http://www.google.com/custom?client...g+caps+on+tuner&sitesearch=www.audiokarma.org

This thread specifically talks about possible caps to avoid:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=305003

If you look at the service manual, alignment involves a process that involves special equipment and tools usually performed by a tech.

You can also take a look at fmtunerinfo. They have reviews and mods for some tuners.
 
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You can make things much worse easier than you can make them better......:yes: The 8600 is an excellent 5 gang FM tuner and it's matching IA is super......to look at, use and listen to.

Here are some excellent SU upgrades that are fairly simple for great results:

http://analogattitudes.freeforums.org/technics-su-8600-power-output-transistor-upgrde-t37.html

http://analogattitudes.freeforums.o...ated-amplifier-with-upgrade-pictures-t10.html

http://analogattitudes.freeforums.org/technics-su-8600-volume-de-ox-by-drilling-t90.html

I have 2 SU-8600's and 1 ST-8600 and love them!
 
also I have a direct replacement LED for your ST stereo lamp that I will send to your address free if you'd like..... Chuck
 
Terra1 and chuck,
Thanks! That's EXACTLY what I was looking for! I want this receiver and Tuner to sound their VERY BEST. I'm not trying to experiment, just optimize and consider duplicating any modest mods that brought appreciable differences. Thanks.

Chuck- pm sent. Thanks again!
 
My 8600 is a fine tuner. Like the double-real-glass front. For now you might hold onto it as your reference standard and modify/upgrade a KT-7500 to see if you can surpass that...

Not so valuable as a KT-8300 so if you mess it up it's no tragedy.

And have fun!
 
Changing all caps in a working device, usually leads to a broken stuff :)
Soon we'll have a thread how to fix ST 8600, after succesfull recap...
 
nironiro said:
Changing all caps in a working device, usually leads to a broken stuff :)
Soon we'll have a thread how to fix ST 8600, after succesfull recap...
Click to expand...
Quite often it’s the opposite. Something not working right on a component is often fixed with a complete re-cap. It’s happened to me many times.
 
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