Bringing a $5 GARAGE SALE stereo BACK TO LIFE with Deoxit | Cleaning a Technics amp 

I gave this zero chance to correct my problem. I've got a 40+ year old Technics system with an SU-V77 amplifier, SH-8027 equalizer, ST-S77 tuner, RS -B17W cassette deck. I bought two Axiom speakers off e-Bay a few days ago. I've owned the Technics equipment since new but it's had little use. When I put it back together with the Axiom speakers I couldn't get the amplifier volume slide bar past the no. 2 on a 0-10 slide scale without it breaking down. Even from 0-2 it was very scratchy and lost balance between the speakers in most places. Well I watched this video and got some Dust-Off and CRC Electronic cleaner from WalMart since they didn't have the Deoxit. I am in a state of shock. The difference is unbelievable. I can't stand in front of the speakers in the no. 5 position. I squirted here and there just like you demonstrated. I had intended to find another used amp. I don't have to now. Thank you.

My favorite dust blower for electronics is a foot pump for air mattresses. It has a hose with several nozels, and it never runs out! You can find them for about $20 not on sale, it has no risk of accidentally freezing if you hold it at the wrong angle, so there's no risk of condensation or thermal shock to components.

As a commercial radio tech, I have used the whole line of DeOxit products for over 25 years, they are a lifesaver for both the customer and I. Their ProGold cleaner is also great on electronic equipment such as old computers that have gold plated card contacts. It’s not that the gold corrodes but there can be a buildup of elements that can condense on the surface of the contacts and even migrate into the joint between the boards and their sockets. It does an excellent job at deep cleaning these connectors eliminating many issues.

Wow! Nice find and good fix Frank! I just bought some Deoxit D5 and F5 and will be doing some maintenance work on an old Marantz 1030 integrated amp a lady gave me. She also "got rid" of 2 Dynaco A-25 speakers and a Dual 1214 that needs work. The old adage, "one man`s junk is another man`s treasure" is true! Thanks for posting Frank!

Deoxit make miracles !!! i bought this a year ago (also at a musical instruments store) and i brought so many things (amplifiers , cassette deck , etc..) back in life !

These old Tecnics amps and receivers are great pieces of equipment to start of if you are into vintage stereo or if you want a good phono preamp for your turntable. They go reasonably cheap but sound and look the part. Very reliable and quite easy to service, they are kinda like the Honda Civics of audio!

VICTORY! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when you find something for cheap and you can bring it back to life. Stuff like this is such and easy fix, too. Well picked. I would have grabbed it, too, for $5. I'm a big fan of the Technics (I say Tech-NEEKS) line - it's what we grew up with. Our first family stereo (our only family stereo, truth be told) consisted of a Technics SA-404 Receiver, a Technics M8 Cassette Deck, and a Pioneer PL-400 Turntable. I picked it out with my Dad and I've been hooked on the stuff (Audio Gear in general, but I really love Technics). As for finds, you know me (always on the lookout and sometimes successful) - most recent pick was a Pioneer VSX-501 Receiver. It has a phono input and is a rudimentary surround sound unit, but in stereo mode, it has a respectable 100 watts per channel and a pretty decent tuner section. It was $15.79 at Goodwill and needed - guess - a DeOxIt treatment on the volume pot. Works great now. Didn't come with the remote, but it works fine without. Garage sales down in Arizona don't really start up in earnest until mid-September (it's just too hot down here). They run through mid-to-late October. Then we do them all again in the spring. Other that that pick, I scored a bunch of LPs and a couple of Canon cameras (AE-1 Program and an F-1) but while it's another interest of mine, it's not for Channel 33 RPM. I really have to do a video. I'm trying to coordinate with my daughter to help me. The SU-V16 is a pretty tidy little unit. Any plans for this score? Anyway, great video - Cheers.

Thank you so much for this video. My dad is lending me a similar technic's receiver for my vinyl setup and I know it already has these issues from the last time I tried it out. I thought I was going to have to spend hundreds getting it repaired at a shop, I can't wait to try this out!

Just discovered this vid. Wasn't aware you did this side of the hobby. I have repaired most of my equipment I have purchased and it is also another fun side of the hobby.

You used compressed air to clean the inside of that amp, inside your shop?! You must love dust everywhere! I worked in video production for nearly 30 years, with all manner of tape decks, electronic gear, computers, shelving... The enemy was always dust, and the solution was a portable vacuum, with a variety of brush and small attachments to reach in small spaces. For cleaning out the insides of electronic gear using compressed air, you do that outside! That aside, thanks for the vinyl and audio gear rescues!

That is one of the coolest videos you've ever done Frank. This video shows how being resourceful and creative with less than $20 can get someone into audio gear at a fireside price by rejuvenating old audio gear that sounds great when refurbished.

I had that exact same amp driving a pair of auratones in my recording setup 20 years ago. It was extremely quiet and did the job very well.

what do you do with circuit boards that are so dirty that even after using air to clean them off, they’re filthy with grime from Nicotine? I have a unit I am trying to clean and there’s a nasty layer of Nicotine on the inside, believe it or not. Great video, very helpful and amazing to see how much you accomplished with your approach.

Deoxit is awesome! My Technics SLD202 turntable was playing extremely slow and with a quick spray of this stuff, it plays like a champ!

I like to run a vacuum with the hose rigged to hover maybe 8-10” above the workspace when blowing dust from circuit boards. It does a pretty good job grabbing that airborne dust.

Reviewing this video as I am about to work on my receiver, I have the same issue with the volume control. Noticed the cool Stroh’s Beer mirror in the background. 😢

I bought a vintage 1976 Sansui tuner and amplifier, TU7900 and AU7900 for dirt cheap. Looking to get it all cleaned up and possibly recapped as my first audio project. I’m thinking I’ll add a DAC and some nice bookshelf or tower speakers. I love the green display. Any tips or advice appreciated!!

I get my Deoxit at MCM electronics (online). I had a Behringer 12 channel mixer sit in storage (climate controlled) for four years and when I pulled it out to use for a local TV station, it was completely dead (fortunately I had a backup mackie). Well, I took it home and used De-oxit on it. Pretty much every pot and slider needed it. I've used it as my main mixer in bands now for three years. Deoxit is a must for me. I collect old 1970's stereo separates and they all needed it.

Thank you for this video Frank. It has solved the problem, and saved me time and money. I just purchased a technics SL23 turntable. These look like they would go great with my turntable. Now I know what to look for. Thank you.

Wonderful! You made my life easy. I will purchase Deoxit contact cleaner. I was previously told I need to change potentiometer of my old Marantz 2265B. I will post the result after spraying the pots and other knobs. Muchos swerte!

Thanks good show. Yesterday I got freebies to include Technics SU-7100, an Onkyo tuner, a Techniques cassette deck and two nice Allison Four speakers.

Frank you are the man! What a simple fix, but gotta know what you're doing to get it done!

good video, quick to the point and informative. just what I was looking for! down to the type of Deoxit D5 I didn't know the specific type or just how to do it but now I'll try to revive this old 1979 Realistic STA-2100 I just scored for 10$ at goodwill not working. 3$for 2 fuses it works great but dusty so I'll clean it up inside and bring it back to life, I also scored some ADS L620 vintage loudspeakers in mint condition at the same time for 12$ they sound and look amazing together.

U can also use electrical contact cleaner from canadian tire which is used for automotive electrical. Works great also cleans and lubes.

Yup, one of the few miracle products in audio. A cheap way of doing it is turning the knob back and forth a few hundred times, but that still won't be as good as deoxit. I think this is the first VC video that actually shows the process (and not just talks about it)!

Worked thank you, I used a electronic spray cleaner from auto parts store.

Hell yeah man! That's much easier than I thought. You have a nice thing here. Quality content and easy explanations! I will subscribe.

Great video Frank. Always looking forward to your next episodes. -Bob

Frank, you are the best! I am going to find this spay and hopefully fix my Marantz receiver that has problem with the volume control. Love all of your videos!

Great tip! Wish me luck on my $20 Marantz SR225 receiver. Paid up for it @ garage sale in hopes of a nice flip. It’s super dusty. Thanks!!

Always nice when you can fix it yourself. I refoamed some Advent speakers and put 2 belts in turntables.

You are one of the very few not from here that knows how to pronounce Newfoundland! Kudos to you my man! And a awesome videos! Love your stuff!

Great stuff! Wish I had that cleaner years ago when I had my component system. Gave up my system that I bought in Germany some years ago as I wasn't using it. My wife isn't into my music like I am and and it was just collecting dust, but it was a great system with 4 Cerwin-Vega speakers! Oh well - got my computer with my 5.1 surround speakers and Bose headphones in my own room.

I purchased an Onkyo TX-41 (not what you'd call a collector piece) made in the early 80s for $9.99 at a thrift shop. I have a problem with the monitor buttons. they don't pop out, they kinda come out slowly and sometimes I have to push a button a few times before it activates (left to right) Tape 2 - Tape 1/Aux - phono - tuner- am/fm buttons. Tape 1/Aux out is what I keep it on for mixing down songs. Here goes nothing! thanks for the video. I'll use it when I get to fixing my Onkyo!

Darn, I threw away a Sony receiver that I used for years. I could have fixed this exact problem. THANKS !

Awesome vid, now I know to do this, after buying an older component, thanks!

Picket up some awesome vintage maggie setup gear from the reciever speakers 8track and 2 record players. All for 45 dollars. Time to clean them up and play them.

Hey Frank, Great job on the vintage gear fix, enjoyed seeing another garage sale save and always look forward to watching videos like this one from you. Take care and have a great evening l'll talk to you soon. ~. Jeff

Funny I just got my D5 from L+M on Bloor st here in Toronto last night, looking forward to trying it on my old Pioneer with similar issues , thanks for the video

I've used isopropyl and find it cleans better and lasts longer than Dioxit- which after time the scratchy POTS comes back.

Great video!!!! This can definitely help me and save me money in the future!! Thank you very much

Gret video man...I picked up a Rotel 1203 amp for $10.oo...Super excited and stoked but the thing is not turning on...Haven't checked inside yet but I believe Deoxit is gonna fix the problem 😂🤣🤣

I just scored a ROTEL RA-1412. I’m here to see how to clean it up.

There is Deoxit D5 and Deoxit N D5. Is it the same? How about other connectors? Can it be used as other brand contact cleaners?

Would D5 work on scratchy PUSH BUTTONS like the loudness / power on-off and others? or would F5 be better?

Great video, Which one should I I use to clean Dirty pots The F5 Or D5 Is one better than the other

Hi Frank! After looking at a lot of solutions, I hope this might do the trick on an old Amp I just got? The left channels (front and back) barely worked and ultimately stopped working completely. I think it’s worth a shot?

Why did you not show you spraying the other controls, balance etc. Those are much harder to get to and I would like to see how you managed that.

Found a Marantz 4270 with the remote and the wooden outer box recently. Whoever owned it, used it very carefully and prob never used the remote, since it was still in the original box.

Nicely done - short, informative and to the point!

Just use windex to clean volume pots i did works like a dream excess simply evaporates nice hey!

what do you think of that amplifier. audio quality wise. I have the same one but wanted to know what you think

Great video Brother. Thanks for sharing. I have done this to a couple of stereo receiver's. Always works!!😀👍🇨🇦🌎🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉💯🎉🎉💯💯💯💯

wow Frank! such an easy fix. I wish I could know that type of stuff. it's very practical. See ya!

just got a very rough Sanyo jcx 2900k. thanks, I think this is going to help.

Came for knowledge, stayed for knowledge and Oilers 🤝

My 1967 Console stereo needs cleaning and I was wondering if it’s safe for me to clean it?

Does that lubricate as well as clean? The big problem I have had over the years with contact restore sprays is that they remove the lubrication from the POT. One of the Deoxit cans says it lubricates, but how does it feel afterwords? Do they still have the dampened feel of a good quality POT?

Simple easy to understand video. Thanks. Could this work using contact cleaner on a technics ch950 sound processor. Getting hum feedback when I press each source on amp phono tuner. (Not the amp as it works with a ch 550 sp.) tape etc. Thank you in advance

Should I use Deoxit on my late 1960's vacuum tube pre amp been store for 15 years

Great video! I have to get on the Deoxit bandwagon. May I ask how long that Deoxit treatment might last before it gets scratchy again?

You can pull the knob off and access the pots from behind the knob

Hope you did that lovely tuner as well

Thanks so much, this video was just what I needed!!!

Hey My Man, Thanks for the great video! Actually I think it is because of you that I purchased my first can of Deoxit5- and I am so thankful that I did! It has come through for me everytime and it is worth every penny. I also know the Long&Maquaid Stores well! (Umm..maybe not their spelling!lol)they are awesome. I believe that there was one in Oshawa On? Anyways where abouts in general are you located in in Canada? I'm in the Kawartha Lakes Ontario area. I just picked up this old Signature DR-30 Stereo Receiver for only $25 and although this is a really cool looking unit(it even has those front silver handles that you can pick it up with) I really do not know anything about this receiver let alone who makes them!🤔 If you or anyone else knows about these...I Wonder if maybe you could send some light on it for me? So Thanks again for all of your advice, keep up the great work and God Bless.👍😉🇨🇦

I have an old Kenwood integrated amp from the 80s which needs the pots cleaned on a regular basis. Taking the cover off and getting in behind them is a pain in the butt, but fortunately I can remove the large plastic knob for the volume control, and underneath the stem it is mounted on there is a hole that you can spray contact cleaner directly into. I assume it gets into the pots that way since it works, for a while at least. I'm using a cheap contact cleaner from Canadian Tire, which is probably not the best since it has to be used about once a month to keep the static down. I would like to try Deoxit but don't know where to buy it in Canada.

What is the risk of shock touching the capacitors is the only risk right if it is unplugged?

Still Sealed, which the album wasn't opened. The Thriller album is in good condition.

Thanks for the great info.

What is it about the old receivers that make them sound better?

I normally do this with the power on and an audio source. I use LPS- 1 lubricant which I find very effective.

Excellent video, as usual. How much time did you let pass after lubing the pots?

Hi Frank, really enjoying your videos. I just picked up a pioneer SX - 750 receiver. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to replace bulbs for a vintage receiver?

Hi sir. Do you have a video on how to clean and restore the knobs itself? Thank you

I have a Pioneer SX-1500TD Receiver... Do you think it will work?

Hey Frank! Very helpful video. I just recently picked up a Concept 11.0 receiver at a yard sale for $25 and it powers on perfectly fine, but there is no output at all. Do you have any idea what could be causing this problem?

How do u clean push-in selectors? Especially if they are sealed?

I've got several units that need that fix , awesome. can you post the link for the store you bought the spray ?

would this solve the issue of hearing distortion, etc when using any input on the right channel? I have marantz 2252B and when using Radio, both left/right sound fine, but only when using any input; aux, tape in, etc the right channel goes in and out. Could this just mean a dirty pot for there input selector?

I recently picked up a tape cassette deck at a local thrift store.... I normally wouldn't bother with a used tape deck but this one was in mint condition and it was only 20 years old! It worked perfectly for my 1st 20 cassette recordings... but then all of a sudden it was not recording the left channel. I tested the rca jacks and they are in working order. Any tips would be helpful... thanks

Just picked up a cigarette dirty SA-1010 125wpc for $10...going thru the whole process now. Super gross and someone taped the cord 15 years ago...hoping a heat gun will take the goo off without removing paint.

Can you do a fix for push button mode selectors? I can't behind mine because of a tight circuit board covers them.

How do you clean the push button switches? Mine are dirty and they are sealed.

Thanks for showing off the Yamaha turntable from the 1970s.

Woah that volume thing is exactly what my old boombox does! I may need to try the same trick someday. Do you only have to apply the deox in the volume/bass pods? Great video.

I see that only the right channel is getting power. I just got a old receiver and tuner where the right channel is getting much more power then the right. When I push on the he knob power goes to both channels inconsistently. I hope this works for me.

@Channel33rpm Thanks for the video! Will be trying this.

Frank. I gotta question for you. My left channel is always going out on me. Not for long, and if I turn the knobs it often comes back, but it's annoying. What could be the cause of this? I'm going to use the Deoxit on the pots to try to help. But I'm not sure it's the cause.

Got sansui au4900 2 weeks ago and also I got a static hiss from the speakers when only amp & speakers connected without source. The hiss is totally small. I only hear when I put my ear really close to the speakers. This problems bothers me a bit. Will this help?

Hi any tips on restoring the shine and glory or the alluminum metal fronts of these vintage treasures mines kinda yellowish.

Purchased a 1984 OEM car stereo that is supposed to be operational. Seems I can do the same thing with it, and blow / electronic spray it out prior to install? Thoughts? Thanks.

So it is OK to spray into these pods, but can you spray the push buttons too. I have a Hitachi ft 340 tuner which the am/fm button is intermittent, would sprayiny into this help. Thank you

Could you use these things to clean a computer? Very helpful video,thanks for posting.

Can I use this for my Technics SC-DV290 tuch button to fast and clean the touched contact button?

I shop at long & Mcquade all the time. I live in ajax and have tons of amp/receivers vintage 70's im an electronic tech amd have been for 21+yrs. We should share notes on equip

Hey frank, you should get that theme song pressed on vinyl! I would buy one!

Hey Frank great episode as always! It just occurred to me the intro music sounds like you singing???

Excellent info, Frank! As always!

Great vid Frank! A nice cheap fix! cool.

you got lucky on that amp I've seen some where the volume or whatever switch you are after are very hard to get to!