[quote user="Step1"] Ok when you replaced transistors TR19 & 20 did you replace them at the same time? [/quote] At first no. I should have taken Martin's advice (of course). But then yes! All eight. With the same references. I insist on the fact that the motor works fine. What else could cause the top left BC142 to fail? The top-right

Thanks Mika. Don't be sorry, you're actually helping! Well I tested the diodes with my diode tester. Yes the motor was tested running with a PSU, CW and CCW, and it works fine. I'm really ç"$`ù% at that deck right now. Jacques

Ah, and the bakelite underneath that specific BC142 has darkened. It is not burnt but it is discoloured indeed. It must have heated up before going belly up. My new transistor burnt instantly. It didn't even get hot! No obvious short to the ground.

[quote user="tournedos"] The low power transistor? [/quote] The BC237b is fine (it is new, like the 7 other transistors, well, except that burnt BC142...). The diodes are fine too... hence my puzzlement... And where are these 10nF capacitors? Does anybody have the real diagram for later decks? Jacques

Hi, Well there's something I don't get. The NPN BC142 (top-left on diagram) keeps burning, losing its base-emitter junction. Why? The motor, tested, is able to rotate CW or CCW without any problem. Other transistors (new) seem to pose no problems. Jacques

I bypassed the protection circuit indeed. No, I haven't yet re-foamed the bass units, but I plan to have Martin do it when funds allow (the cost of shipment is well over 100€). Jacques

[quote user="Step1"] What I would be interested in is how they now sound compared to the speakers that originaly overshadowed them? [/quote] They sound far more accurate and linear I'd say. The Arcams have a rising response with more upper bass slam. The Beovoxes' bass is much drier. Strangely, the mids are more present in the Beovoxes

Hello! Well I do not know what happened but the speakers really sing for me now. Voices and piano are delightful and yes, they are very neutral but not dull after all. Treble appears to be back too, with no less delightful guitar strings. I can't really explain on this strange phenomenon. Maybe those electrolytics supplied by Martin need some running

[quote user="Step1"] How are you doing anyway? [/quote] Fine, thanks! This bearing is a bit special to say the least! It only has one sintered bronze bearing (1.5mm thick!) at the top of the pit and a one-point contact at the bottom, hence its "wobbly" nature. Once it has settled it remains stable, but the bottom part of the shaft

Thanks about that Mika! I too had these springs gone wild into the deck, now back to where they belong! Jacques