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What would you need for basic preventive maintenance and upkeep for vintage equipment

Jim newbie

Jim newbie

New Member
Hi all , this is my first post so please bear with me. My question is what I might need to maintain my fledgling system . I know that Deoxit is essential, but what else would you suggest to help me round out my toolkit .I'm pretty mechanically inclined but not exactly well versed audio . Thanks in advance
 
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It depends on what's in your fledgling system. For vinyl, the list is longer. ;)

+1 on the above suggestions. One of those inexpensive "is my outlet wired correctly?" devices could come in handy.
 
How deep do you want to get into this? The answers range from just having a multimeter that can do basic ohm and AC voltage checks to quite a stack of test gear.

A selection of cheap paint brushes and a source of compressed air to blow dust out of things is pretty useful IME.
 
My setup is as follows Pioneer SX 450 receiver Boston Acoustics A100 series II speakers and a Yamaha as 300 amp. I have a Pioneer P512 turntable , but I just sprung for a Thorens td 125 mkII which is why I want to know what I need to keep it out of the repair shop
 
Your most delicate piece is the turntable. There is a TON of info out there regarding turntable maintenance which will serve to guide you. The SS stuff needs little attention and will let you know when something becomes upset. Preliminarily, you should get the service manuals, if available, so that you can dial everything into specification. That will require a multimeter at the very least. Lubrication is needed mostly to keep the controls quiet and to control oxidation. As a general matter, SS stuff is pretty robust and will last unless a particular component decides to croak. And there is very little signaling of that event. That said, heat kills everything, both in the SS world and with tubes so keeping things properly ventilated will help keep temperatures within "proper" range. Don't be obsessive about it but realize that putting your favorite magazines on top of ventilation holes is a recipe for disaster.

Check out the Solid State forum stickies as they provide a wealth of information on maintenance.
 
Unless you plan on diagnosing and fixing technical issue that may arise, the previous suggestions of occasional cleaning with canned air, and VERY occasional use of DeOxit are all you need. Go easy on the DeOxit and only use it when your controls exhibit signs that they need cleaning (which should not happen for long periods (think years) after an initial thorough cleaning.) Other than that, removing corrosion and oxide buildup on your rca jacks and speaker terminals are the only other items to be mindful of (again, one initial thorough cleaning and subsequent attention very infrequently.)

As notdigital mentioned, care of your turntable, cartridge and styli are probably the only items that will require frequent attention.
 
You already have the most important tool you will ever need in the care and feeding of audio equipment - this forum! Welcome to AK, Jim.
 
I find non-metal small screwdrivers are very useful for reaching into electronics and adjusting bias pots, etc. on boards. Non metal so you don't accidently short anything and let the smoke out. Ask me how I know....
 
AlphaEcho35 said:
Unless you plan on diagnosing and fixing technical issue that may arise, the previous suggestions of occasional cleaning with canned air, and VERY occasional use of DeOxit are all you need. Go easy on the DeOxit and only use it when your controls exhibit signs that they need cleaning (which should not happen for long periods (think years) after an initial thorough cleaning.) Other than that, removing corrosion and oxide buildup on your rca jacks and speaker terminals are the only other items to be mindful of (again, one initial thorough cleaning and subsequent attention very infrequently.)

As notdigital mentioned, care of your turntable, cartridge and styli are probably the only items that will require frequent attention.
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Couldn't agree more! I'm presently working on some gear which is so saturated with deoxit, that the entire internals are covered in an oily residue. It is just horrible to work on! Deoxit is really something to be used sparingly, a few quick spurts into the controls and switches is all you need. Spraying it all over the boards sure didn't do anything besides make a mess of things.
 
First thing, thanks for all your tips and advice, it is exactly what I was looking for and as a long time reader it's good to finally have signed up.
 
I have had issues with things that were bathed in DeOxit. Had to fix it by hosing down the board with CRC QD cleaner so the residue went away and stopped the electrical leakage issues. Less is definitely more with that stuff.
 
power off ! ! !

turn every dial, push every button about 50 times, to clean the contacts,
I do this twice a year.

every second year,
I trim a couple of inches off speaker cables, to get nice clean copper.

simple and effective !
 
I'd say something like this.

For everyone into vintage: Basic hand tools and DeOxit - these are an absolute must!
For those willing to tackle certain repairs: All of the above, plus soldering gear (an iron + wick or de-soldering iron), a good multimeter, and certain specialty hand tools (depending on what you're working on).
For the DIY enthuasist/aspiring tech: All of the above, plus measuring equipment (oscilloscope, signal generators, W&F meters, etc.).

The good news is that solid-state amps/receivers and many turntables are fairly low maintenance. But with skilled techs in rather short supply for this stuff, the DIY enthusiast route is one to consider if you ever want to maintain things like tape equipment or tuners (i.e - the more you can learn to DIY, the more you will be able to enjoy vintage gear).
 
Purchase and use a good quality Trip Lite, Panamax, or Furman brand surge/spike power strip for your system power connections.
Good ones like above don`t cost big fancy audiophile money, just do their job protecting your electronics from the constant multitude of unnoticed, but equipment degrading surges & spikes, and it`s a no brainer & easy to do.
 
Use it. Play it. Play it some more.

Deoxit and gentle compressed air, as needed. Fix it when it breaks.

Nothing makes thing fall apart faster than just sitting...at least for cars, boats and airplanes.
 
Turntable maintenance is fun for me. I have slowly aquired a tool box of items that I have needed at some point over the years.

Number 1 item is a good light source.
Number 2 is a pair of +3.25 reading glasses for up close work.
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A soldering iron and volt meter.
Different oils and syringes, isopropyl alcohol and charcoal lighter fluid for cleaning, lots of q-tips and paper towels, blue tack.
Of course, a jewelers screw driver set, needle nose pliers and a small wrench and ratchet.
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I found a cheap 2X10 microscope at a garage sale I use to inspect styli and really tiny stuff, comes in handy some times.
A digital scale is a must and a strobe light is good to have.
You'll find out what you need by reading stuff on line, little tricks that make it easier.
Rubber bands, painters tape, super glue, pipe cleaners, bubble level, paper clips, exacto knife, are all in the bottom of my tool box.

Edit: also, sign up at VinylEngine.com and HiFiEngine.com for free manuals and schematics.
 
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