On the bench this week
Real gear, real repairs, real component-level work. Updated as jobs move through the shop.
Inside an audio load box
The resistor bank and power section, opened up. Finding the fault, not swapping the board: every repair starts with diagnosis.
Tj on the bench with a rosewood-case tuner amp
Face down for the workup, cabinet label up: rosewood-grain vinyl over metal, assembled in Japan. Diagnosed, cleaned, tested.
Onkyo TX-7000 tuner amplifier
In for intermittent distortion and a right channel that cut out. Traced to the volume pot; a clean and reflow ended it.
Latest from the bench
The Capacitor Problem
Why old gear changes over time and what you can actually do about it.
Audiophile · Aug 10Tube Amps: What Beginners Should Know
Biasing, tube rolling, and when to bring it to a bench.
Bench Stories · Aug 3Micro-Soldering Without the Fear Factor
The tools, the technique, and what you should never attempt without a scope.
More from the bench: Tj's Tech Talk
Got something that needs the bench?
Bring it in or ship it. I diagnose it, you approve the quote, I fix it.