Marvel:

 

Rivernuggets:

Hah, let the flood gates open! 

Isn't that partly how Craig got started? Now he has to sneak away to go fishing...

The following remark was made with a smile.

 Whoa there Nelly!  Let's not compare (even in jest) Craig and myself.  He knows more about circuit design and component specifications that I could ever hope to know.  I believe I do well within the confines of component replacement.  I'm smart enough to leave the engineering to more experianced folks.  That said, I do have this LK-72 that I would like to convert to a stand alone power amp and then send to Craig for an opinion.    

top notch!

DizRotus:

Aint this forum populated by the best people? 

A member who will, for now, remain anonymous made my old H/K 430 look almost new and perform better than new.  He was recommended to me by forum member Rivernuggets.  He'd done excellent work on R'nuggets' H/K 730.  I'm leaving it to the repair wizard to reveal his identity because I'm not certain he wants to be in the H/K x30 rehab business.  Believe me, he's not going to retire on what he charged me.  His main avocational interest appears to be tube gear. 

Like many on this forum, I've discovered the virtues of the Harman Kardon x30 series of receivers.  I believe Andy aka HDBRbuilder was one of the first, if not the first, to sing the praises of the vintage H/K receivers.  I've enjoyed a 730 and two 430s (one of which I sold to Marvel).

My remaining 430 dropped a channel and fell into disuse.  As mentioned in another thread (http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/p/160982/1709002.aspx#1709002), I'm refurbishing a pair of Heresy speakers as a graduation gift for our son and to thank him for serving in Afghanistan.  I decided to see about getting the 430 brought back to life to be part of the gift.

Through an exchange of emails I shipped the receiver to the member.  He immediately diagnosed a small problem and was willing to send it back without a charge.  I declined that offer and asked him to replace the antique capacitors.  He rebuilt the power supply, replaced the bulbs, and performed sundry other services and sent it back. It's fantastic; my son will be extremely pleased with his H/K 430, Klipsch Heresy system.  I'll post some photos of the speakers and the receiver before they head to DC for the GWU graduation

It's worth mentioning that Russ aka Budman was kind enough to provide brass Klipsch badges for the refurbished speakers.  The grill fabric and crossover parts were sourced from Bob Crites and the "some .assembly required" Heresy pair was acquired from ClaudeJ1.  The forum was instrumental in putting together a system for my son.

Thank You.

Cool Diz.  Can't wait to see the pictures.  Never heard any of the HKx30 series but I've transported I think a 430 and 730 (and a puny Yamaha) for a Forum member as I was driving by where they were at and driving by or occasionally visit the owner.  They just feel well built.  Separate power supply for each channel I think.  With current capability.  I've always thought a good high current 30 watts that will do 30 or more into not just 8, but 4, and be stable into 2 ohms is better than a 100 wpc into 8 that can't even handle 4 ohms or has less output.  

Marvel:

I'm using it ervery day! I have a second one my younger son is using on a pair of JBLs. The one in the house needs the bulbs replaced, but I've been too lazy to pull it out to get the work done.

Bruce

Come on Bruce.  Do it yourself.  I replaced the fuse type bulbs in my c1978 Radio Shack STA-52 lo fi receiver.  Finally died just a few months ago but unused quite a bit in the last few.   Better than nothing when other amplifiers out of commission.  Of course it's a lot simpler than the HKs.  Old school with string to run the tuner.  Glad I didn't break that.

blsamuel:

Come on Bruce.  Do it yourself.

I will emphasize - LAZY! I know how to do it and am not the least afraid of doing it. I used to work full time as an electronics tech repairing 3 phase motor controllers. BUT thanks for the encouragement.

Bruce

Marvel:

blsamuel:

Come on Bruce.  Do it yourself.

Ben,

I will emphasize - LAZY! I know how to do it and am not the least afraid of doing it. I used to work full time as an electronics tech repairing 3 phase motor controllers. BUT thanks for the encouragement.

Bruce

I understand the LAZY part.  That's me.  But I'm a bit paranoid about poking around in the output section.  Time to get Electroncis Reparis for Dummies.  I've no idea how to safely discharge a loaded up capacitor....

blsamuel:

Marvel:

blsamuel:

Come on Bruce.  Do it yourself.

Ben,

I will emphasize - LAZY! I know how to do it and am not the least afraid of doing it. I used to work full time as an electronics tech repairing 3 phase motor controllers. BUT thanks for the encouragement.

Bruce

 

I understand the LAZY part.  That's me.  But I'm a bit paranoid about poking around in the output section.  Time to get Electroncis Reparis for Dummies.  I've no idea how to safely discharge a loaded up capacitor....

Remember as a kid when you put your tongue on a 9-Volt battery....   Yup, just like that.
"The preceding comment was meant in jest, under no circumstances should anyone actually perform said action"

dale_s:

Yup, just like that.

When I was younger, I worked at a TV station. One of the older technicians/cameraman was from Hungary, escaped during the '56 overthrow. He would flip breakers for the lighting grid in the studio we had, get on a ladder and touch the connection with his fingers. That way he could tell if he got the correct breaker turned on. 

Bruce

dale_s:

Remember as a kid when you put your tongue on a 9-Volt battery....   Yup, just like that.

Rookie.  I moved up to 12 volt car batteries with step up transformers before I was 13.  9 volts just well, just didn't cut it after a few years.  

That's all there is to it.  Woo Hoo.  I'm off to fix my HK AVR 85.  

dale_s:

"The preceding comment was meant in jest, under no circumstances should anyone actually perform said action"

Durn it Dale.  Y'all take the fun out of things.  But I was thinking left finger and right finger - get that shock all the way through yo body.   zzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttttttt ya!   

Just kidding. Don't try any of this at home kids.  No matter how much fun we might tell you it is.  Leave capacitor discharging to somebody that knows what they're doing.  If ya don't know how to safely do it hire a professional.  Or find a good hobbyist who might do it for too little.  

Where y'all live again Dale?  Looked kind of far.  HK does provide detailed service manuals.  I do need to learn the basics so I don't shock the bejeezus out of myself or blow up what I think is still a good receiver.  

I have a Nakamichi Music Bank CD Player 3 I use as my desktop CD player at work and I'm pretty sure the headphone amp sounded noisy when I first tried it but only for a few minutes but I'm wondering if the crazy strong headphone amp has to warm up a bit?  Maybe needs some new caps or something.  Maybe just sounded hissy as I had it turned up stupid loud. not thinking the headphone amp was so STRONG.  The door sticks on first opening but is fine after that.  Probably needs a new belt.  Complete 4 belt replacements I think $25 but if only the door an o ring of the correct size should work fine.  I have a service manual and found out some good info by googlling.  Still have not found a users manual.  Go figure.  I'm sure I can buy one but can often find for free.  Also no remote.

colterphoto1:

I've had a 430 for ages and a 730 that I gave to DeanG recently. My 430 exhibits some noise, particulary upon shutdown, that I attribute to noise caps. I can solder but unfamiliar with reading detailed PC schematics and wouldn't know where to start. If this repair guru would be willing to do another, I'm game. This sits unused right now but I'd like to build up a little 'retro' system with the 430, Heresies, and turntable some day.

Yes, I can take on another one.  Fire me an email or PM and we'll work out the details.

Marvel:

dale_s:

Yup, just like that.

You must be reading my mind!!! I almost posted the same thing earlier.

When I was younger, I worked at a TV station. One of the older technicians/cameraman was from Hungary, escaped during the '56 overthrow. He would flip breakers for the lighting grid in the studio we had, get on a ladder and touch the connection with his fingers. That way he could tell if he got the correct breaker turned on. 

Bruce

My paternal grandfather (born 1896) worked for Pennsylvania RR in Baltimore.  He seemed to have an immunity to electrical shock after working on and around the Pensy's electric (full size not toys) locomotives.  He too put wet fingers in sockets to test for live current. Don't try at home.

The graduation weekend was a huge success.  The system was a hit.  We were too busy to spend much time listening, but a short and shaky video can be seen at:

http://youtu.be/an_8yDIOKwM

Scott started at the DC police academy on the day after graduation.  He plans to be a homicide detective.

Congratulation to Scott!