2. vintage
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Does anyone repair....

My significant other has a vintage Fisher 4404 Custom Electra IV (Model E44) that we loved to listen to old vinyl on. Classic sound through those original speakers, etc.

Anyway, it has reached the point where the hiss and buzz is way louder than the music. I suspect it needs some new tubes and/or other electronic repairs. I live in New Orleans. The closest (and truthfully only) place I found that might fix it is in another state aver 600 mi away. Shipping would seem to me to be expensive (that I am not worried about) but I fear for the ability to ship without damaging the console. Is there any suggestions or anyone closer to me who might be able to repair this?

Thanks for any help

 

dseltz
herman
2,259 posts
 

Had a buzz for years, now it is much louder

The electrolytic capacitors dry out and lose capacitance over time. Not a matter of if, it is when, and yours is waaaay past when. As that happens the amp starts to buzz and hum

getting it restored is going to cost waaay more than it is worth. Using the cabinet and replacing the guts is your best bet

 

terraplane8bob's avatar
terraplane8bob
68 posts
 

Would you pay $$$$ to have a photo of your parents restored so that you can put it in a place of prominence in YOUR home ?   Would you pay $$$$ to have a recording of your child's first words so that you can listen to it years later in YOUR home ?  Would you pay $$$$ to restore a cherished audio system so that you can listen to it with your beloved in YOUR home ?  If you answer "YES" to these questions, then it is a definite "YES" to spending $$$$ on anything that is so personal to your happiness as a vintage audio system.  There is no pricetag on happiness !

herman
2,259 posts
 

 There is no pricetag on happiness !

Really, ?? You suggest  spend whatever it takes to try and restore a worn out console with a mediocre turntable that is probably eating up the records, possibly dried out speakers, and questionable electronics? And "try" is the operative word here because it is not a given that it will succeed.

If something you can do yourself and you want a project then fine, give it a go. But to "hope" that whoever you can find to take this on will succeed is not a good strategy. It will take a competent tech many hours and a lot of parts to do it right,   which equates to waaaaay too much $$.... and even then you will be left with a subpar performer

time to move on

 

 

bigkidz
3,387 posts
 

We can repair, upgrade, modify any audio component.  We are in New Jersey.  I cannot point you to our information as Agon does not allow me to offer this because we are a manufacturer so they feel we will sell you our gear without using this site.  You have to search the threads to find other people who recommend us.

Happy Listening.

herman
2,259 posts
 

We can repair, upgrade, modify any audio component.  We are in New Jersey.

He posted because he  is looking for someone close to New Orleans, not New Jersey

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