help with transistor choice

I need the help of the experts here on this forum. My problem is with a kenwood model eleven. there was bad distortion and weak sound (low) on the left channel.
pulled the output transistors the 2sg1403's both had a low hfs 19 & 21. Am I correct in thinking that this is low? The real question I have is this, I have a good set of 2sg1403b's and 2sa745b's can I use these in place of the 2sg1403 and 2sa745? I thank all of you so much for your advise.

Values you are getting can still be OK. How do you measure it? I would look at other parts of circuit first.

Believe you mean 2SC1403, not 2SG.

Those Hfe #'s are not too far off what I measured on some original 2SC1403 in a Luxman amp I was working on this weekend. A newer pair did measure a bit higher, though.


John

Power device Hfe can be quite low. If they aren't leaky or breaking down or something, the problem is likely elsewhere. I'd be looking further upstream at caps and other semis. Scope is a valuable tool here!