- Joined
- Nov 19, 2020
- Messages
- 372
As many of you know, I recently dug my very old stereo equipment out of storage. Everything worked well despite being asleep for 40 or so years. Today I went to listen to an album and nothing! All settings/switches were correct. Switched input from phono to CD and my WiiM streamer and CD worked perfectly. First thought was the phono stage died.
Decided to ask ChatGPT for suggestions. Stated that this was common and 70% of the time it is oxidation on the contacts. (Not sure where it got these numbers , but OK). Seemed odd that it wouldn’t have any symptoms such as scratchiness or intermittent problems. Disassembled the unit and using CRC contact cleaner and lubricant I cleaned all the switches both push button and rotary. Everything inside looked pristine. No swelling of capacitors or anything else that might look bad. (I know, most of electronics failures are not visible)
Voila! Reconnected everything and all working as before. Thank you ChatGPT! was expecting to buy a new preamp.
Felt like a 15 year old kid again building a HeathKit component. Also nice that this old stuff has discrete components that can be repaired and not just trashed.
Decided to ask ChatGPT for suggestions. Stated that this was common and 70% of the time it is oxidation on the contacts. (Not sure where it got these numbers , but OK). Seemed odd that it wouldn’t have any symptoms such as scratchiness or intermittent problems. Disassembled the unit and using CRC contact cleaner and lubricant I cleaned all the switches both push button and rotary. Everything inside looked pristine. No swelling of capacitors or anything else that might look bad. (I know, most of electronics failures are not visible)
Voila! Reconnected everything and all working as before. Thank you ChatGPT! was expecting to buy a new preamp.
Felt like a 15 year old kid again building a HeathKit component. Also nice that this old stuff has discrete components that can be repaired and not just trashed.
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