Category Archives: Radios and Tubes

A Surprise in a Re-Stuffed Capacitor

Posted on October 18, 2016 by jwk

I was recently re-stuffing some capacitors for a radio. It’s not something I do often, but I’ve accumulated a pile of pulled vintage caps over the years so I have some on hand if a customer requests the most detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY, Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Would you look at that!

Posted on August 9, 2016 by jwk

It’s pretty, but this 12BA6 tube has amplified for the last time. Vacuum failure has led to a gas intruding into the vacuum, and it makes a great light show when it’s being tested! As cool as it looks, this would cause … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

HH Scott 233 Stereo Integrated Amplifier Overhaul

Posted on December 31, 2015 by jwk

I was lucky enough to get to work on a very nice Scott 233 stereo integrated amplifier. This example was wonderfully well preserved, coming out of a storage unit looking like it had just left the showroom floor. Unfortunately, though, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

1963 Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM Tuner Overhaul

Posted on August 9, 2015 by jwk

Something a bit unusual came through the shop recently, an old tube-type Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM tuner. Anyone who knows classic tube audio knows Fisher, and the FM-100-B sure lives up to the name. It’s a 12-tube FM/MPX Only tuner with … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

1950s Motorola Modded Standalone Tube Amplifier Measurements

Posted on July 6, 2015 by jwk

I had an unusual project through the shop recently. It’s a Magnavox tube amp from the late 1950s. The owner brought it in reporting he’d purchased the amplifier, pulled from a damaged console stereo and modified to be a standalone … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, DIY, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Harmony H400 Tube Guitar Amplifier Repair

Posted on April 13, 2015 by jwk

I recently had another Harmony amplifier, the  H400, through the shop for an overhaul. It’s owner, who previously sent me a Harmony H500 for service as well, took it to a local tech but wasn’t satisfied with the repair so … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Philco 39-45 Retrofit to 40-201 Cabinet Vintage Radio Repair

Posted on January 16, 2015 by jwk

A neighbor approached me with his family’s Philco 40-201 vintage radio to be restored back to working condition. It had sat for several decades, very well preserved, but ultimately needed some service after the years. Very unfortunately, however, the original … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sherwood S2000-III Tube FM Tuner Repair

Posted on January 8, 2015 by jwk

Sherwood made some excellent hi-fi FM tuners back in the day, and this S2000-III is no exception. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of documentation about this model available, but that didn’t stop it from getting an overhaul and alignment. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Radio, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Watch a McIntosh Tube Amp Come to Life

Posted on December 27, 2014 by jwk

Discovery’s How It’s Made shows us how a McIntosh vacuum tube audio amplifier comes to life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgS6gvokEI Definitely worth watching!

Posted in Audio, Commentary, Hi-Fi, Radios and Tubes, Stereo | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Philco 42-365 Antique Radio Repair

Posted on December 15, 2014 by jwk

This Philco 42-365 came to the shop in need of major repairs. It was missing its dial string, lamps, and the power transformer had melted down due to a failure in the main electrolytic capacitors. It’s melted and run everywhere, … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects, Radio, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment