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

[Jim newbie]

Thanks for all the input, I value your thoughts and time to get me up to speed

 

[z-adamson]

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

Are we talking about keeping vintage gear that is already at full health operating to spec?

As for SS that is healthy, one of the main things that will keep it healthy is regular use. Just sitting = bad. Regular use and regular exercising of the pots (don't go crazy, just a couple turns) and switches will keep the gear healthy.

Deoxit? If a pot or switch gets scratchy. Or if it has been sitting unused for years. I would hardly call deoxit something that is needed for regular maintenance. It's a once in a great while thing.

Have a good volt meter that has good resolution in the dc millivolt and volt range. Keep an eye on dc offset to alert you of problems. Should be just a few mvdc. If it always seems to be 5mvdc, for example, then one day it is much higher, you have a problem.

Have an infrared thermometer to periodically measure heatsink temps. Get an idea what normal operating temp is. If it deviates from that in either direction, you have a problem.

As long as temps are good, offset is good and it sees regular use and it is performing as designed, you are doing all you can to keep it healthy. If you live in a thunder-storm zone, take necessary precautions, needless to say.

If we are talking about in depth repair, which it looks like we are not, that's another matter.