u/mpots323

Cleaning up my new-to-me Realistic STA-90. I picked this up with a Technics SL-D3 turntable from the same sale. Had some scratchy controls.

Pulled the faceplate and knobs and gave everything a good cleaning on both sides, cleaned the pots/switches while I was in there, and touched up some chips in the wood veneer - waiting for it to dry. It was already a pretty clean receiver underneath, but it looks way better now.

And most importantly, I added the much-needed accessory for those old annoying speaker terminals — the screw-to-banana adapters. Hopefully they work as intended.

I was already enjoying my STA-800 but couldn’t pass this up locally. Now I think the next logical step up is an STA-2100…wish me luck.

Just picked up a really clean but untested SX-950. Everything else seems to work great, but neither phono input is working right.

I can faintly hear the record playing, but only with the volume cranked way up. AUX and FM work totally normal. I worked the PHONO 1 / PHONO 2 switches a bunch and can hear some popping when switching between them, but it doesn’t really change anything.

Any ideas where you guys would start looking with this symptom? I’d rather diagnose it before I start replacing parts. I do see phono rebuild kits on eBay so I’m thinking it’s common?

Ever since I got this Onkyo, the headphone jack has been loose. While I was in there changing bulbs I tried securing it with hot glue, but that didn’t hold. Does anyone have a better solution for getting it properly attached? I’m not quite sure how it was originally secured or clipped into place.

Doom scrolling Marketplace. Came across an ad for a Bose HiFi Stereo listed at $2,000. Definitely wasn’t interested at that price, but the first pic caught my attention. A silver-face Pioneer.

The description didn’t mention the model at all — it basically just said an 85 WPC Pioneer receiver was being thrown in with Bose 601 series III. Zoomed in and the Pioneer happened to be an SX-950.

Everything was basically untested and had been sitting, so there was definitely some gamble involved. After some back and forth, seller came down from $2,000 and we somehow met right in the middle… at $750 for all.

The wood looks great, the face is clean, and when I powered it up every bulb worked and both meters came to life.

Hooked up my Minimus 7 speakers and… nothing. No sound. Had a brief “oh shit” moment.

I did see RCA cables were being used between the pre-out/main-in connections instead of the original jumpers. They were hooked up right. I changed those cables and it came to life. Both channels are working and it sounds great so far.

The only obvious issue I found is the broken AM antenna. Otherwise, aside from some controls being pretty stiff, I’m amazed at the condition considering I really didn’t know what I was getting into. I’m going to give it a longer test before calling it a complete victory, but so far I’m pretty happy with the gamble. Adding a receiver I never thought I’d own.

Question: what’s the best way to clean and lubricate the controls on these? Some of the switches/knobs are noticeably stiff.

Hello. Maintenance question, Getting my table cleaned up. Noticing the cue lift isn’t lifting the arm. Anyone know proper way it get it sorted with new fluid? Thanks. If I was supposed to post this elsewhere let me know.

It makes loud grinding noise when swapping discs, thinking when it raises and lowers. It has no issues finding, loading, playing discs. Would it be a belt?

Finally crossed one of my personal grail turntables off the list today—a near-mint Technics SL-1200MK2.

Decoded serial# - April 1986

The best part? It was only 10 minutes from home, and I was happy to buy it from the original owner, who is also a Vietnam veteran. He clearly took great care of it over the years. Looking forward to enjoying this classic for many years to come.

One question—does this appear to be the original Technics headshell?

Realistic STA-800 and Minimus 7W. A geat pairing.

Not powering on. Is this a missing fuse+cap? Or custom mod? Looking up other sr940 and they don’t have this. That’s not the cap to it sitting on top, was testing other fuse with another marantz I have. That cap doesn’t fit it.

Just dusted off and serviced my very brown DP30L. Ordered a Denon head-shell+cart from Japan and got it all together today. Sounds great.

Found a pair of Minimus 25 at the thrift today for $9. Cleaned them up, popped out a crushed tweeter, and treated cases with wood oil/wax. Look and sound good. I have a pair of minimus 7w and they sound -slightly-better. Hooked them up to Montgomery Ward Model 450 receiver.

I heard some rattles and found 2 ball bearings. Any idea where they’d go?

Carousel is slow/sluggish and doesn’t line up when closed. I tried cleaning a switch new front left side of drawer with contact cleaner. Belts seem fine to me. Any ideas? Thanks