Anyone familiar with the Fisher Studio-Standard receivers?

[comfortablycurt]

So I've been trying to put together a 2-channel system with a bunch of old equipment that I had laying around, and I was wondering if any of you have any experience with this receiver. It's a Fisher Studio-Standard Model 332.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332001.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332001.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332002.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332002.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332004.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332004.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332005.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332005.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332006.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332006.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332007.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332007.jpg)
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/th_FisherStudio-Standard332008.jpg (http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/?action=view&current=FisherStudio-Standard332008.jpg)

This was one of my dads old receivers, and was actually my first real stereo. It quit working probably 10-12 years ago, and has been sitting in the attic collecting dust since then. I dug it out earlier, and tested it out...turns out one of the fuses was blown. So I'm gonna go ahead and pick up a couple fuses tomorrow and swap them in.

I swapped the good fuse into both channels to test them out, and both channels appear to be working fine. There is another problem though...When I adjust the volume knob it makes the speakers get all fuzzy and static sounding, and I have to wiggle it back and forth to find a spot where it will come through clear. It seemed to get kinda scratchy when I was adjusting the bass/treble controls too.

Could this just be the pots in the knobs? If so, can they be fixed, or will they have to be replaced? If that isn't the problem, any other suggestions as to what it could be?

If anyone has any opinions on the Fisher Studio-Standard receivers I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm curious how this receiver rates with all of the hardcore 2-channel guys out there.

Any help would be appreciated,
Curt

[dorokusai]

Buy some CAIG De-Oxit and spray the volume pot down, wiggle it alot and repeat the next day. When you're done, spray the rest in a plastic bag and huff it until you pass out.

[ozzy21236]

Get some Caigs Deoxit for the scratchy volume knob . Do all the knobs while you are at it. Apply from rear of pot (inside unit through one of the holes in the pot). Make sure it is unplugged of course. Then turn the knob 25-30 times. Follow with a shot of Caigs faderlube.

Russ

[comfortablycurt]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll have to pick some of that up too. Where's the best place to find it? Hardware stores?

I especially like the part about huffing the rest. I may have to buy another can to go along with the rest of the first one though :p I've never huffed deoxit before...is it some good stuff or what?...lol

edit- I see they have it at parts-express.com. I might just get it there...I'm getting ready to place an order with them in the next few days anyway. How much of it should I need? Would a 15 gram can of the DeoxIT and a 5 gram can of the Faderlube be sufficient?

[dorokusai]

CAIG is to Audiophiles as KY Jelly is to prostitutes. Can someone spin a haiku on that?

[comfortablycurt]

CAIG is to Audiophiles as KY Jelly is to prostitutes. Can someone spin a haiku on that?

I see...it sounds like it's some good stuff then. Maybe I'll pick up a larger size can just to have some around when I need it.

I'm having some trouble finding the fuses that I need too. I need a 2.5a 125 volt fuse. Is this an uncommon size? The only 2.5a fuses I'm seeing on parts-express are 250 volts. I'm gonna check a couple places in town too, but if I can't find it there, any recommendations? Would I be ok with a 2.5a 250 volt fuse? I'm assuming that wouldn't work...just trying to figure out my possibilities though.

Thanks a lot for the help though,

Curt

[mrbigbluelight]

CAIG is to Audiophiles as KY Jelly is to prostitutes. Can someone spin a haiku on that?


To smooth out hard crud
Audiophiles should use CAIG,
KY is for Ho's



I think this is how Walt Whitman got started. :o

[comfortablycurt]

To smooth out hard crud
Audiophiles should use CAIG,
KY is for Ho's



I think this is how Walt Whitman got started. :o

lol...excellent writing. You should publish that ;)

[mrbigbluelight]

There once was a man
from Nantucket who's Caig use
was by the bucket

When told, "Use KY !"
He said with a grin, "Not I:
It rubs me wrong way"


That was sort of a hybrid: Haiku and Lymeric.


.....okay ..... I'm going to bed now ....... must rest ..... sleeeppppp ......

[comfortablycurt]

Still trying to figure out if I can use a 2.5 amp 250 volt fuse to replace a 2.5 amp 125 volt fuse.

From what I've gathered it's okay to use a fuse that has a higher voltage rating, as long as the amperage is still the same. Is this correct, or does it have to be exactly the same fuse?

Any help is much appreciated,
Curt

edit-If it is okay to use a fuse with a higher voltage rating, which one of these two would I be better off with?

2.5A GDC Type 5x20mm slo-blo fuse (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=071-864)
or
2.5A 3AG slo-blo fuse (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=071-700)

[inspiredsports]

. . . CAIG DeOxit - Where's the best place to find it?

In another thread we were discussing how bad Radio Shack has gotten these days, but I picked up a fuse for my VOM and a twin aerosol pack of DeOxit Cleaner and Pro Gold there just the other day, both in stock and at a decent price.

[comfortablycurt]

In another thread we were discussing how bad Radio Shack has gotten these days, but I picked up a fuse for my VOM and a twin aerosol pack of DeOxit Cleaner and Pro Gold there just the other day, both in stock and at a decent price.

The closest Radio Shack to me is about 45 miles away...so that's not really an option. I'm not driving that far to pick up a fuse and some DeOxit...lol With the gas money it'd cost me it'd probably be cheaper to order it online and pay shipping. :p

I've still got one more local shop I'm gonna check on Monday for the fuse...but I'm not getting my hopes up. It seems like the fuse I need is kind of an odd size.

[comfortablycurt]

Another question. Do people usually prefer the brush on or the spray DeOxit? Seems like the spray could be kinda wasteful...but might be better for getting into some hard to reach spots.

Also...do I really need the Faderlube? From the sounds of it that's more for plastic parts...and I don't believe there are any plastic parts in those pots. I'll take a look again tomorrow though.

Should I use the 5% solution and the 100% solution together. Or would one of the two be sufficient? If just one of them...which one would I want? Cost is somewhat of an issue...so I'm trying to keep it down as much as I can.

[dorokusai]

www.caig.com

[Keiko]

CAIG is to Audiophiles as KY Jelly is to prostitutes. Can someone spin a haiku on that?
There once was a lady from China. Who put a popsicle in her...Oh nevermind. :rolleyes:

[dorokusai]

Sweet :) I finished th erest in my head, thank you Keiko.

[Keiko]

Sweet :) I finished th erest in my head, thank you Keiko.
Just don't get any on you bro. ;)

[comfortablycurt]

Alright...I managed to find the fuses that I needed. They had em at a local TV repair shop...so I picked a few up, and it's back up and running now. Except for the scratchiness well adjusting the knobs...which will be taken care of soon.

I ordered the CAIG "Technicians Survival Kit" from partsexpress as well. Once I deoxit all the pots and everything it should be sounding pretty good.

I'm happy. :D

Thanks for the help everyone!
Curt

[mhardy6647]

speaking of CAIG... this is a rather interesting take on the CAIG/Cramolin story. I offer it strictly 'as-is'. I haven't ever used gen-u-ine Cramolin, but I am a big fan of DeOxit.

http://www.pitt.edu/~szekeres/caigcram.htm

[dfranks]

There once was a lady from China. Who put a popsicle in her...Oh nevermind. :rolleyes:

What's she look like?:D

[comfortablycurt]

I finally got over to Radio Shack the other day and picked up the stuff to fix this receiver. I haven't been to Radio Shack in a long time...I understand why everyone calls it Rat Shack now...:rolleyes: That place really isn't what they used to be. The Rat Shack that's local to me doesn't even carry CAIG products, so I had to get the Radio Shack brand versions of Deoxit and Faderlube. I was also going to pick up an SPL meter while I was there...They told me they don't even carry them! I couldn't believe it...this Radio Shack sucks.

Anywho, I applied the generic Deoxit and Faderlube. I got it all hooked up and started playing some music and it sounded great for the first few minutes. All of the static that was coming through before is gone. Just as I was sitting down to do some listening though, the volume level of the left channel dropped way down. I shut it off, checked the connections, which were all fine, turned it back on, and it did the same thing. It was fine for a minute, then the volume level in the left channel dropped way down.

The right channel's fine, and hasn't done this, it's just in the left ch. that this is happening.

Any idea's?

[Face]

It's telling you to upgrade.

[messiah]

You might want to take the cover off and use a can of dust off to blow 30 years of dust off of the internal components. At least then you can see the guts of the system. Sometimes too much dust build up will act as insulation, and cause overheating of an amp.

[nooshinjohn]

I got a nice Yammi you can get cheap! and I might even deliver it....

[megasat16]

Did you try turning the knobs during the spraying and clean up? I think the problem is that the dirts probably accumulated on one area of the Balance knob (POT) during cleaning or the resistance tracks are worn out. But did you turn the knobs during cleaning?

Spray, turn the knob all the way to left, spray, turn it all the way to right, spray, turn it to the left and then to right. Wait about half a minute, turn the knob slowly from left to right and then back to left 3-4 more times without spraying any further. After that, just leave the knob in the middle (center) position and don't touch it again. I think it takes about 2-3 minutes to dry so don't power up immediately. If it doesn't solve the problem, replace the POT (potentiometer) or better yet, do what FACE said above. :D

[comfortablycurt]

It's telling you to upgrade.

This receiver kind of has some sentimental value...it was my first "real" stereo, so I'd love to get it going again. It sounded great back when I was 11, I wanna see how it sounds now. It's not going to end up in my primary rig. It'll probably get some use for a while until I get my pre and amp, after that though it's likely going to end up in a garage rig or something like that.


You might want to take the cover off and use a can of dust off to blow 30 years of dust off of the internal components. At least then you can see the guts of the system. Sometimes too much dust build up will act as insulation, and cause overheating of an amp.

That's something I was planning on doing too...I was going to pick some up at Radio Shack when I was there the other day, but I was in a hurry and it slipped my mind. I'll have to pick some up in the next couple days. I don't think overheating is the problem though, because it does this after only being on for 2-3 minutes.


I got a nice Yammi you can get cheap! and I might even deliver it....

What kinda Yammy? I'm not really looking to replace this at the moment...but depending on what you've got I'd consider it.


Did you try turning the knobs during the spraying and clean up? I think the problem is that the dirts probably accumulated on one area of the Balance knob (POT) during cleaning or the resistance tracks are worn out. But did you turn the knobs during cleaning?

Spray, turn the knob all the way to left, spray, turn it all the way to right, spray, turn it to the left and then to right. Wait about half a minute, turn the knob slowly from left to right and then back to left 3-4 more times without spraying any further. After that, just leave the knob in the middle (center) position and don't touch it again. I think it takes about 2-3 minutes to dry so don't power up immediately. If it doesn't solve the problem, replace the POT (potentiometer) or better yet, do what FACE said above. :D

No, I didn't turn the knobs while I was spraying it. That does sound like a possibility though. The knobs were in the center position when I sprayed them. I'm gonna get it opened up again tomorrow to look into it more, I'll definitely give that a try.





I got a suggestion that it could be a faulty cap on the left channel. Does that sound like a possibility?

Thanks for the help.:)

[Face]

This receiver kind of has some sentimental value...it was my first "real" stereo, so I'd love to get it going again. It sounded great back when I was 11, I wanna see how it sounds now. It's not going to end up in my primary rig. It'll probably get some use for a while until I get my pre and amp, after that though it's likely going to end up in a garage rig or something like that.
Nothing wrong with keeping something of sentimental value. I still have the Kenwood rack system that I received for my 16th birthday, but now it resides in my basement. :)

[comfortablycurt]

Nothing wrong with keeping something of sentimental value. I still have the Kenwood rack system that I received for my 16th birthday, but now it resides in my basement. :)

Exactly...that's what I'm keeping it. I'm not looking for the epitome of audiophile sound with it or anything...lol

This was actually my dads back when it was new, he used it for a long time. I stumbled across it one day up in my parents attic and hooked it up to some 10" RCA 2-way cab's. It sounded pretty damn good back when I was 10 years old...can't wait to see how it fares now.


Well, I took Megasat's advice and rotated the pots while I was spraying the deoxit on them. It appears to have fixed the problem. I went through and did the same thing to all of the pots while I was at it. I had it hooked up to my Goldstar bookshelves and a cheaper CD player, and it wasn't having the same issues with the left channel dropping out. I let it run for about 15 minutes, it seemed to be doing ok.

I'm gonna get it hooked up to the Cambridge and the Monitor 7A's here in a little bit and do some listening.

Thanks for the advice guys.:)

On a side note, this thing has a killer tuner in it. I just skimmed through the stations real quick a little bit ago, and it's pulling in a lot of them. Crystal clear still too.

[187CAM]

Buy some CAIG De-Oxit and spray the volume pot down, wiggle it alot and repeat the next day. When you're done, spray the rest in a plastic bag and huff it until you pass out.

Ever try Rid-Ox? Seems to work alot better for me.

[comfortablycurt]

Well...I guess it's not working still.:(

I got it hooked up to the Cambridge and the 7A's and it was doing fine at first. I got about halfway through DSOTM and the left channel started doing the same thing again. The volume level in the left dropped almost all the way down. The right channel was still unaffected.

Does it sound like a faulty cap possibly? Someone else suggested that could be the problem, and it's starting to seem like a possibility...

[Polkersince85]

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207005&highlight=deoxit

[comfortablycurt]

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207005&highlight=deoxit

That's a great write-up. Thanks for posting that.:)

I didn't hit any of the inputs/outputs with the deoxit, just the pots. I'll have to open it back up and hit all of those too and see if that helps the problem.

[cnh]

When I was around your age Curt, I went to a Radio Shack and bought the equivalent of whatever the kit/can was back then. I started to spray volume and control knobs and things started to sound a bit better on my parents' console stereo...rememeber those guys. But I ended up spraying in too much and the contacts got covered with gunk, no electricity could pass through and the unit was TOAST!

I heard about that one. See what happens when you try to be an 'expert' with a bit too little knowledge!

cnh