Slowly raising voltage for old stereos, because of capacitors?

[Kestas]

I too collect old radios and restore them. Electrolytic capacitors are iffy after 30 years and should be replaced as a precautionary measure. They are cheap. If the old electrolytic capacitors short out, they can fry expensive transformers. That's why you replace old ones and don't wait for them to go bad.

There is also the issue of running the radio often to keep the electrolytic capacitors properly formed and in good shape. It's good maintenance.

This is something to seriously consider before ever turning on an old radio.

 

[circuitsmith]

I also have some studio strobe lights and battery "potato mashers" (Sunpak 622 and such).
HV electrolytics in those get reformed when I don't use them for more than 6 months.

 

[willbur]

Same here, have a vintage Sansui receiver that hasn't been used in the last 40 yrs, the balance potentiometer was starting to go, looking for a repair shop that specializes in vintage audio.
View attachment 95970

Beautiful unit! Spraying contact cleaner like Deoxit into the open slot on the control and working control back and forth may fix that