CAUTIONS WHEN PURCHASING VINTAGE EQUIPMENT
A reader sent me a letter advising me to post some common sense "cautions" when purchasing "vintage components". I should have done this years ago myself. Here's his list, which is more thorough than what I would have posted on my own. Any reader, who thinks he can add something to this list, is strongly encouraged to share their thoughts. With some minor editing, here it is:
"1. Do NOT plug in ANY piece of vintage tube equipment, EVEN if the owner says he's had it running recently. Old capacitors can not take the shock of throwing line current through them, if they have not been used on a regular basis.
2. ONLY test vintage tube equipment if you have a variac, or similar variable power supply to SLOWLY apply current to said piece of vintage tube equipment. This will allow the capacitors to slowly reform, and prevent things from just plain blowing up in your face!
3. ALL vintage tube equipment should, at the very least, have the selenium rectifiers replaced with modern silicon diode equivalents, if you plan on using the amp again.
4. Ideally, replace all power supply caps, and strap new caps under cans if the cans are shot. This will make for a much more reliable and stable power supply.
5. Old audio couplers are most likely leaky and sound very bad. Modern caps again will greatly improve sound quality.
6.* Lastly, all above listed recommendations WILL degrade the value of vintage equipment. ONLY do the recommendations if you do not care about preserving a "museum piece", but want to have the safest and best sounding vintage equipment possible. If you do not want to alter the original components, then DO NOT use said piece. Just have it on display like an antique."
*Personal Note- For those audiophiles who want to retain "the value", while also enjoying "the safest and best sounding vintage" components, I advise taking some detailed pictures of the component before any modifications are made, and also retaining all the original parts. Then the component can always be put back into its original condition for top resale value.
