Hi

I recently bought a 25 year old Creek Amplifier and Tuner for pure nostalgia because I used to own them

I was just thinking given the lifespan of components what your thoughts are as to how risky this was? Also whether I will be able to keep them running to specification with component replacement?

My father has some knowledge with an oscilloscope and experience in electronics. Not really any chance of schematics and we will just be able to start testing most components.

They were well reviewed at the time and although I have modern equipment I wanted to own and hear them again.

Am I asking for trouble??...they are being collected on Friday and I paid about the going rate on ebay. £30 for the amp...£20 for the tuner.....they were budget classics and outwardly they look as new.

As you will be electronic experts I wondered what I have let myself in for I am wondering what the degredation over 25 years will be and given that they are working what may suddenly fail?

Creek say the PCB tracks get brittle and not to mess with it unless absolutely necessary... Are they trying to scare me!

Any helpful comments would be appreciated.
My regards to you

 

I have an American-made HH Scott FM stereo receiver that was made in 1964 (46 years ago). I use it almost every day and it still works perfectly.

 

My Heathkit AR-1500 assembled in 1969 is still working fine, although I have replaced the electrolytic capacitors.

 

Thanks yes... no worries...I have read all about electrolytic capacitors needing replacing. it was a bit of a silly question for such a specialist electronics site but I was just worrying about the age of them. Im sure they will work for a while longer and will be a project for me if they fail or are not working well

yes I will run them for a bit of fun and they have come from a very careful lady owner who had a Linn Sondek.

Its just something I wanted again as I was forced to sell mine before I was ready.
Nostalgia is a funny thing.... I will do some comparisons and may even sell them on.

I wanted the Fm tuner as we are getting a bit fed up of the DAB standards in the UK

All the best

 

The main filter caps are the first ones to change, of course if the equipment has been used on at least an occasional basis all these years they may not be too bad.

By all means find someone with a tube tester and check all the tubes. Weak is OK, but any showing shorts or grid emission should be replaced as they can cause harm to the components around them.

 

check all the tubes.

Tubes? I made amplifier and FM tuner kits about 50 years ago. They used tubes.
The amplifier and tuner of the OP are only 25 years old so they probably do not have tubes.

 

Tubes? I made amplifier and FM tuner kits about 50 years ago. They used tubes.
The amplifier and tuner of the OP are only 25 years old so they probably do not have tubes.

Just half aselep I guess, 25 years ago still sounds like the late 60s to me.

Anyhow, FYI: http://www.creekaudio.com/history.php

 

Just half aselep I guess, 25 years ago still sounds like the late 60s to me.

Anyhow, FYI: http://www.creekaudio.com/history.php

Your arithmatic is wrong. 25 years ago was the 80ies not the 60ies.
Almost nobody in the 80ies used vacuum tubes.

 

Thanks everyone...It was a budget integrated solid state affair.. No tubes
A well reviewed combo for the working man on a budget. The Tuner Is still rated today with a good aerial and the amp was a aimed at people who couldnt afford Naim, Meridian, Nytech.
Still a good honest sound and phono stage

It was owned by a lady who didnt use it much so fingers crossed it will be ok. I have yet to test it fully as I collect it Friday

Yes I fancy a valve set up but first things first. I know you have all got your big Macintosh Recievers and 60s Valve set ups but lets hear it for good old 80s budget British Hi Fi. A Naim Nait will still give most new equipment a run for its money

We still have some of the worlds best.... Naim etc but make very little in this country anymore

 

I'm a fan of Harman Kardon - great when they work, hell to pay if they ever break.
Some Onkyo is pretty good and a few other names I can't think of at the moment.