Turns out it's an old Toshiba AS-400, basically the bottom of the line receiver for it's day, but still pretty classic 1970s-1980s looking machine! I thought I'd try and restore it a bit and get it working. I plan to use it in the basement by my electronics workbench. Here are a few more "before" shots;
Next shot here shows 2 bulbs out on the dial as well - hopefully easy to replace!
So next step, disassemble and scrub like mad!!
Surprise surprise, wiggle the little bulbs around a bit and they all fired up! Nice!
I wasn't too sure about the knobs, they seemed to be almost rusty, but they cleaned up just as well as the front bezel!
Learned that from AudioKarma website - use dawn detergent, warm water, and wife's toothbrush! Well wife's OLD toothbrush that she doesn't use anymore... really!
Here is the end result, not bad, still need to find a knob for the missing tuner area but otherwise I think it's the best the old girl has looked in decades!
So now, after I "de-oxed" all the volume/balance/switches etc. she's playing pretty nicely! All the scratchiness is gone from the volume control and I only have a couple switches to still take apart and clean. I am a little disappointed in the FM tuning capability here, but I have more playing around with that to do. AUX input is working well, ipod was able to jam quite well (or as well as a 30 Watt receiver will push some small speakers). Overall I'm quite happy with the outcome and will post a couple more shots when it's all buttoned up and in place.
And complete! Works pretty well, line in sounds great! The switches were sealed up but I was able to put them midway through their throw and shoot some deoxit in the small gap from the front. Did the trick and now they are all working as well.
Nice job - reminds me of the old Fisher stereo we had as kids. I went through a similar process as you a few years back where I cleaned the pots to eliminate the scratchiness, polished up the old case etc.
ReplyDeleteThose things just keep on working as they are so simple. No HDMI boards or fancy digital displays to fail and they seem to tolerate any and all temperature ranges so they make great garage or workshop steroes... although they tend to weigh a ton. I ended up getting rid of mine in one of the moves but regret it now. Hang on to it - the nostalgia factor cannot be measured.