Yamaha T-2

[Zarathustra]

nice tuner i am looking for a t-2 i seen one for 700.00 the guy must be nuts have a happy new year

For that kind of money you should buy a CT-7000.
I've bought the black version with the Makassar finish.
Recapped it completely, renewed all the bulbs and heatsinked the powertransistors in the powersupply.
Best sound from a FM tuner I've ever got.

 

[Nick_G]

IMO Yamaha were very forward-thinking with this tuner. The T-2 is a slimline design with a look that would fit in with any current system, unlike many 70s designs which, although beautiful, were obviously of their time. Not only that but the RF performance means that it easily copes with today's crowded bands in urban areas, something that I suspect the CT-7000 would struggle with.

Along with the Denon TU-800L, the T-2 is my favourite tuner, and the best for audio quality on the right broadcast.

Regards,
Nick

 

[clinic-audio]

For that kind of money you should buy a CT-7000.
I've bought the black version with the Makassar finish.
Recapped it completely, renewed all the bulbs and heatsinked the powertransistors in the powersupply.
Best sound from a FM tuner I've ever got.

Well done Zarathustra !

See my pictures ....Epoxy is much better and more resistant to the heat around the TO220 transistors !
See my version inside my CT7000 , nice isn't it ?

 

[Mark B]

Beautiful

 

[DBX1]

I just purchased a Yamaha T-2 - it should arrive next week. I purchased this unit based on the reviews of best tuners that were ever made - which goes back to the 70s era. I am more interested in its sound than DXing, since I live in an urban area, so stations are a plentiful. One could ask - if you are interested in the sound of a tuner - why not go for the CT-7000 which was Yamahas best? I cannot justify spending the hundreds that they fetch on ebay for a 40 year old tuner, which would need some work (cap, tuner realignment) and the additional cost associated with the purchase to restore its insides to its original conidition.

I T-2 would need a complete recap for a tuner of this age. Would anyone have a schematic diagram which also contains the values of the caps and resistors? I come from a Nichicon cap background, so I am well rehearsed with using FG and KZ caps for replacements in the signal path, but I have heard some nice things about Elna Selmic caps (?) that people highly regard. What is the consensus here in regards to rebuilding this unit to its peak-sounding form ?

I am open to suggestions on shipping out my tuner for realignment to reputable people since I do not posses the means to perform this assignment.

If space is not an issue, I am willing to use film caps in the areas to replace the electrolytics since quality sound is the primary goal of this work - within the confines of the physics we have available to work inside the unit.

Does anyone have suggestions regarding replacement ceramic caps? I am sure they need to be replaced as well and that careful consideration should be made with the ceramics as these control power regulation, noise, and for fine tuning in stations.

And what are the thoughts of replacing carbon resistors with metal film resistors?

Thanks all!!!

 

[DBX1]

In addition - my tuner will need a couple of lights replaced. I would like to replace the meter lights and the FM station backlight display with white LEDs.

Thoughts?

 

[clinic-audio]

Yamaha t2

Hello

Does anyone have suggestions regarding replacement ceramic caps? I am sure they need to be replaced as well and that careful consideration should be made with the ceramics as these control power regulation, noise, and for fine tuning in stations.

You will not upgrade your T2 in anyway by changing ceramic caps and fine tune will not change at all !

Electrolytic cap is enough , you will preserve the action of time on your T2 working again trouble free for the next 15 years ....

I will not touch the dial lamp and replace them with LED ....

 

[DBX1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I understand that the ceramic caps will not change the audio spectrum because of their use. However, should ceramic caps be replaced over time like electrolytics need replacement, or are ceramic caps designed to leave well enough alone over time if nothing is wrong?

I will not touch the dial lamp and replace them with LED ....

If the dial lamp is out... how is the best way to proceed with replacing the lamp? Original or substitute fitted bulbs are not always easy to come by.

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Hey DBX1
Congratulations on your T-2.
Unless there are issues with the tuner you bought, you might want to do some listening first. I'm the original owner of one and bought another from the original owner a few years ago. Both have had only a cleaning and bulbs replaced.(by me)
Both units work flawless. Dead quiet background with one station after another reception.
This is a very well built tuner with complex circuitry. There are hundreds of components inside and with all the buttons not the easiest to work on.
This could be a real money pit if it does not work properly. Some tuner repair specialists have a year long backlog.
As for the dial lamps,the 'grain of rice' bulbs are an easy repair and they last for years.
Maybe wait and hear how your unit sounds before doing anything. You might just be pleasantly surprised.
Don't know what you paid but T-2s in good working order usually sell for up to three hundred dollars on that other site. Mine are my most used program source.
Good luck and happy listening.
Jimmy

 

[stoutblock]

^^^^^

Agree. I now have two T-2 tuners. I already had one in my main system and ended up replacing my C-85 in the office with another T-2. They both sound so good I have never touched them inside. I think they are under priced because they are not as impressive looking as many other tuners out there but they blow most every one of them away with great performance.

I now have a Scott 350 in the office but that is another story...

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Hey DBX1
Congratulations on your T-2.
Unless there are issues with the tuner you bought, you might want to do some listening first. I'm the original owner of one and bought another from the original owner a few years ago. Both have had only a cleaning and bulbs replaced.(by me)
Both units work flawless. Dead quiet background with one station after another reception.
This is a very well built tuner with complex circuitry. There are hundreds of components inside and with all the buttons not the easiest to work on.
This could be a real money pit if it does not work properly. Some tuner repair specialists have a year long backlog.
As for the dial lamps,the 'grain of rice' bulbs are an easy repair and they last for years.
Maybe wait and hear how your unit sounds before doing anything. You might just be pleasantly surprised.
Don't know what you paid but T-2s in good working order usually sell for up to three hundred dollars on that other site. Mine are my most used program source.
Good luck and happy listening.
Jimmy

Good advice. Every thing is really 'packed in' on the T-2, so even changing bulbs can be a bit of work. You might want to limit yourself to a Nichicon recap of the power supply, which will have zero effect on the alignment and is a simple upgrade. If you then find the tuner to be 'suspect', send it off to a 'known good' tuner tech for alignment/recap (as needed). My choice is always Terry DeWick or dr*audio. I've had tuners done by several other 'known good' tuner techs (there are few of them) in the U.S. and Terry & Warren always send back a tuner that sounds its best.

 

[DBX1]

they are not as impressive looking as many other tuners out there but they blow most every one of them away with great performance.

....Which is why I purchased this unit. It also has that nostalgic look of what audio was about - A throwback tuner. It was a choice between this tuner and the Onkyo T-9.

I now have a Scott 350 in the office but that is another story...

Please tell...

 

[DBX1]

Every thing is really 'packed in' on the T-2, so even changing bulbs can be a bit of work. You might want to limit yourself to a Nichicon recap of the power supply

Sounds just like my Onkyo Power Amps which I managed to mod - replaced Nichicon electrolytics with Nichicon FG/KZ Electrolytics, and replaced the Polypropelyne caps with film caps, all same value.

Thanks for the advice. That sounds like something I should tackle first.

I am still tempted to have the electrolytic caps recapped, either with Elna Silmic II or Nichicon FG or KZ lines (same values of course). It should restore the sound tuner to what it once was, or even elevate the performance of the tuner.

 

[stoutblock]

Please tell...

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=7909514#post7909514

 

[DOBIEGUY]

Hey DBX1
Take a deep breath. Before you start changing anything you must give the unit a good listen. Also, get a copy of the operations manual. Full of very technical information,it explains the functions of all those buttons. The schmatic diagram
is printed just a little bigger than microfilm,and covers a page!
The bulbs are an easy repair with the exception of the right side dial lamp.
They are 14.5 volt,80 ma and you need four. Cut the leads a few inches from the dead one and soldier and shrink wrap the new one. They are all clear with colored boots.
Once you get the feel of the slide rule dial and the sound coming from a quiet as death background you'll understand why the T-2 is a great tuner.
What have you got lined up for an antenna? Mine work well with a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 whip.
Changing parts just because you can could result in an expensive door stop.
Again,good luck&happy listening.
Jimmy

 

[DBX1]

Absolutely good advice!!! I managed to get my hands on the schematics and the operations manual.

In order to appreciate the "improvements" I (or anyone else) plan to make - one must know the sound characteristics of the unit prior to restoring/upgrading. All modifications I have made to my equipment has always resulted in improvement.

I plan to purchase the electrolytics and take on the project at another time - fall perhaps. I hate making changes in the summertime.

I would have to make use of an indoor antenna. Got any suggestions? Living in an apartment has limitations.

 

[DBX1]

In addition, does anyone know if the RCA Outputs on the T-2 are pure copper composition? This is VERY IMPORTANT for such good sound!!!

 

[stoutblock]

In addition, does anyone know if the RCA Outputs on the T-2 are pure copper composition? This is VERY IMPORTANT for such good sound!!!

No, but they are a solid RCA and not the cheap pressed copper used on some of the 80s stuff from Yamaha.

 

[DBX1]

Just got the package today.
Cant wait to open it up and check it out to see how it sounds.

Just got a new (used) preamp too last week which sounds WONDERFUL!!! Sure wish I had persued it sooner. It is a 2 channel Onkyo Grand Integra P308 which sounds wonderful when mated with the Onkyo Integra M-504 Special Edition Power Amp.

 

[johnda]

Ooooooooh! tell us how you like it!