From: cd6699@notformail.com   
      
   On Wed, 26 Nov 2025 09:55:24 +0000, liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid   
   (Liz Tuddenham) wrote:   
      
   >Cursitor Doom  wrote:   
   >   
   >> I've been trying to trace an issue with a Uher tape deck in respect of   
   >> extremely  low audio gain during recording. I was delighted when I   
   >> spotted a resistor in the AGC section with a tiny blow-hole half way   
   >> down its body. I was able to confirm this when I removed it for   
   >> examination under a stereoscope. There was even a bulge under the hole   
   >> where some pressure had clearly built-up immediately prior to the   
   >> blow.'Easy fix!' I thought; 5 minutes and it's done. However, I was   
   >> baffled when it tested spot-on its 1200 intended ohms! WTF?? Somethingat   
   >> must have pulled excess current through that component and the obvious   
   >> culprit was the BJT it was the series resistor for. However, once   
   >> again, it tested fine! I just never have encountered an outcome like   
   >> that before. Anyone had similar?   
   >   
   >Have you cleaned the tape heads?   
      
   I recall a bad experience I had with the stereo version of this deck -   
   the 4400 Report Monitor. I found a duff electro so whipped it out and   
   got a replacement from my capacious parts bin. The bin was choc full   
   of NOS caps that had been in store for years, so I thought I'd best   
   re-form the replacement before fitting it. Problem was, when I'd done   
   this, I forgot to discharge it before replacing the failed one. So I   
   accidentally touched some other part of the PCB in the process and   
   something sparked and I heard a crackle. Next thing I know, the   
   fucking thing bursts into flames! I kid you not, it actually caught   
   fire! That was a rotten piece of carelessness on my part. A valuable   
   lesson I'll never forget, but an expensive one. :(   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)