HFWR and other Audiophiles

[Sarah in SC]

Hey, I have an old receiver that looks like it is losing some channels. I'm wondering if it is worth fixing/I can find parts for it.

It has three sets of speaker connections and it looks like one whole "row" is sort of faded out. I can hear sound out of the left speaker of "A" and "B", but it is really low. The right speaker sounds normal. When I combine the right and left speakers in the right hand connection it will work. The same thing happens when I use "C", as well.

The stereo receiver is a Yamaha Natural Sound Receiver CR-1020 serial # 19972. Anyone have a clue how I might repair it or should I give it up? It is such a cool old receiver, with 2 tape deck inputs, 2 phono, and an aux. And it weighs a ton!

Thanks!

[HFWR]

Definitely a SWAG, but here goes:

If the selector switches are mechanical, you may be able to remove the case, and spray some contact cleaner on the switches (and pots while you're at it). This has kept my old Hitachi going past its' prime, though limpingly so...

If the switches are electronic, good luck finding the parts, and/or someone who'll fix it.

Of course, since it happens on A, B, and C, it might not be the switches...

So much of modern consumer A/V equipment is modular and/or integrated, with no consumer decipherable part numbers...

Maybe try to find an authorized Yamaha shop, and get an real, informed opinion...

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Only problem is, a shop will charge more to diagnose than a good receiver costs brand new, and more than a decent refurbished one.

At this point, when any electronics or appliance starts doing screwy stuff, if I cant fix it myself I chuck it and buy a new one. My experience with repairs and diagnostics has really, really sucked.

[thefed]

FWIW I have a very similar Yamaha that's about 2 yrs older than yours, and had the same problem a year or 2 ago....i got some nice HK equipment and havent looked back since!

[mathjak107]

nothing worth saving,

[Gsquared]

Good that it has two tape inputs...you'll have one for your 8-track and one for your cassette!

Seriously, electronics is one area where prices for products are going down (thanks to overseas manufacture) and cost of repair are going up (thanks to US wages and less people doing this these days). I consider most new electronic devices "throwaway".

The one thing you might consider if you really like it is to search around to see if you can find an independent repair shop. Not a lot of them around, but I found one in WI that is very good. With a good description of the problem and knowing the specific piece of equipment, he's very accurate on diagnosis and doesn't charge for estimates. I've had some repairs done on some 80's vintage audiophile equipment, and it's been very reasonable versus buying lower quality "throwaway" equipment.