RE: Classic FM-3

Posted by ltman on June 24, 2023 at 12:15:35

In Reply to: Classic FM-3 posted by M3 lover on June 24, 2023 at 11:27:16:

[[Obviously I'd test all tubes prior to turn on as well.]]

Good point. I'll have to do some research on the tubes so I can at least test for shorts. That's probably all I will be able to do given my knowledge and tools.

The ebay seller claimed it was a working unit, but I never trust such claims. With old electronics, my experience has been that such claims are more often false than true.

I don't see any leaking caps or burn marks anywhere which is more than I can say about a Pioneer F-90 tuner I recently bought from the bay. Again the seller claimed it worked, and it does - except for the intermittent but pretty frequent loud popping sounds after about 1/2 hour of use :)

I opened it up and sure enough looks like every single electrolytic is leaking. So I have a cap replacement kit in transit for that tuner. It does sound great though when not popping :)

I have pdf version of the FM-3 manual and if IIRC the manual does specify use of a VTVM for testing/alignment, which I do not have access to. So I have to figure out what to do about that. I do not have enough knowledge to know if using a modern dvm will work correctly for the testing given how the two devices interact differently with circuitry.

I do have a signal generator and both analog and digital scopes but again,
I'm an untrained novice just learning to understand the theory of the circuits and use of those devices.

Given that the FM-3 appears to have all original tubes I am thinking I can resell without loss if I decide to. So that would be around $200 given the purchase of the tuner and restoration kit. I am not the type to try and make a profit from reselling, way too much hassle to be worth the trouble to me.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - hmm, did I bite off more than I can chew for this tuner? - ltman 17:15:16 06/23/23 (17)

RE: hmm, did I bite off more than I can chew for this tuner? - Cougar 06:44:30 07/01/23 (1)

RE:There is the PEC and Power supply upgrades. - ltman 10:57:51 07/08/23 (0)

suggest keeping.... - stellavox 10:11:22 06/26/23 (7)

I thought it was damping material! NT - voolston 10:57:02 07/04/23 (1)

HAH! )MT( - J. S. Bach 15:46:23 07/04/23 (0)

That period dust is getting ever harder to find! - mhardy6647 15:10:14 06/27/23 (4)

RE: That period dust is getting ever harder to find! - Byrd69 16:49:55 07/05/23 (3)

RE: That period dust is getting ever harder to find! - ltman 11:57:34 07/08/23 (0)

*like* x2 (Stellavox's post, too) :) (nt) - mhardy6647 05:41:40 07/08/23 (0)

What did I do with my spray can of that -? - stellavox 04:05:34 07/06/23 (0)

RE: hmm, did I bite off more than I can chew for this tuner? - fredtr 05:29:41 06/26/23 (3)

RE: hmm, did I bite off more than I can chew for this tuner? - ltman 19:05:32 06/26/23 (0)

I agree (FWIW), plus, I'll share my secret vintage tuner repair trick :) - mhardy6647 06:11:06 06/26/23 (1)

RE: I agree (FWIW), plus, I'll share my secret vintage tuner repair trick :) - ltman 19:02:56 06/26/23 (0)

Classic FM-3 - M3 lover 11:27:16 06/24/23 (2)

RE: Classic FM-3 - ltman 12:15:35 06/24/23 (1)

RE: Classic FM-3 - M3 lover 14:41:48 06/24/23 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Classic FM-3 - ltman 12:15:35 06/24/23 (1)

RE: Classic FM-3 - M3 lover 14:41:48 06/24/23 (0)

RE: Classic FM-3

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