Refurbishing a Yamaha CR-620

I'm looking to overhaul this receiver. Re-cap, tuner alignment, replace some bulbs, or maybe just put in LED's and be done with 'em, and anything else that gets tweaked with an overhaul.

The problem is, I am not willing to risk this receiver with my severly limited skills. I've recapped a couple pairs of speakers (one cap per box) and nearly killed myself, three nighboors and the dog.

So obviously I'm looking to have someone do it. I don't want to risk shipping so local would be best. Meaning anywhere within an hour drive of Madison. Does anyone know of resources in this area?

I understand this is not a TOTL unit and the investment won't ever be recovered. I'm not interrested in that. I really enjoy the symmetry with the Yamaha YP-D3 TT and EPI 150's.

Any direction would be appreciated.

So obviously I'm looking to have someone do it. I don't want to risk shipping so local would be best. Meaning anywhere within an hour drive of Madison. Does anyone know of resources in this area?

Look for a place that sells HiFi gear (Not a Best Buy or that type of store!) and see if they have a service department. You live in a big city and I would imagine that there has to be at least one real hifi / home theater shop. Most have service departments with skilled technicians. But, be prepared to shell out a few bucks if you want everything done. Just let them know up front exactly what you want done. Most vintage hifi that is working needs, at a minimum, all controls cleaned, the output transistors pulled and reseated with new heat sink grease and any capacitors near a heat source replaced. If the power supply caps look even remotely funny (rubber bulging on the bottom, crap leaking out) or if the amp or receiver hums at all, replace the power supply capacitors. Check your local phone listings and make some calls.
You should be able to find a local shop. A hifi shop would be best. If that is not available, a TV repair shop should be able to do the job. Worse case you may end up shipping the unit.

Since you are around Madison I would call the guys at Madisound speaker components.
Good people and if they don't have anybody there that works on equipment I'm sure they will refer you to locals who do what you desire.

seta1 said:

Most vintage hifi that is working needs, at a minimum, all controls cleaned, the output transistors pulled and reseated with new heat sink grease and any capacitors near a heat source replaced. If the power supply caps look even remotely funny (rubber bulging on the bottom, crap leaking out) or if the amp or receiver hums at all, replace the power supply capacitors.

Click to expand...

Any ballpark estimates on how long what you described takes for the average tech? There is such a shop in town and I've used them to service a TT in the past. I would not hesitate to use them except I've been in his shop enough to know I may not see my receiver for quite a while.

I'm not concerned about him 'padding' the bill with excessive time. He's very reputable. He's just very busy, and easily distracted. I can see him not getting around to it for a while or starting and stopping. I've already contacted him for an inquiry and am waiting back for an answer (he's very busy). I just thought there might be other resource in the area I wasn't aware of, even if it wasn't a pro shop.

Thanks for the input.

Fitchburg, eh.

I know a guy who lives in Fitchburg (small world) who may be able to help you PM me and I'll put you in touch with him. I don't know if he's on here.

PM'd

To have a commercial shop completely recap and perform general tune-up procedures to your CR-620 would be prohibitively expensive. I could see the labor costing $300 plus whatever they will charge you for the parts. Most shops are not conducive to having customers supply the parts as that's a source of revenue for them as well. Plus if one of the supplied parts is wrong/defective it gives them an out on warranty coverage.
Your best bet would be to find an AK'er or other local hobbiest to do the bulk of the labor intensive work. Or learn how to do it yourself, just don't let the dog solder.
I've had people contact me for this kind of work after seeing my craigslist items for sale.
JimB

Andy, if you want to attempt it yourself Ill gladly loan you some tools to simplify things for you. IE soldering station and de-soldering iron. I am just too busy to take on another project.

Evan