Every piece of vintage audio equipment that enters the Second Signal Vintage workshop undergoes a rigorous, multi-stage restoration and validation process. We do not "flip" gear; we perform a targeted electronic and mechanical overhaul to ensure every unit is safe, stable, and ready for another 50 years of service.
We never apply raw mains power to an unknown unit. Every piece is initialized using a Dim Bulb Tester (DBT) or a monitored Isolation Transformer setup to protect original, irreplaceable transformers.
Current Monitoring: The DBT acts as a physical gatekeeper, catching hidden shorts before they can damage the power supply.
Rail Stability: Once safety is verified, we measure the power supply rails to ensure the unit is delivering stable DC within factory service manual tolerances.
Initial Health Check: We measure DC Offset and Bias (Idle Current) to ensure the output stage is stable before proceeding to full-power signal testing.
We follow a Minimum Effective Dose (MED) philosophy—restoring reliability and safety without unnecessary "parts-cannon" engineering that strips away the original vintage character.
Targeted Recapping: We identify high-ESR, leaking, or out-of-spec electrolytic capacitors and replace them with high-grade, audio-specific components from Nichicon, Panasonic, or Elna.
Chemical De-Oxidation: All potentiometers and switches undergo a multi-stage cleaning and preservation treatment with DeoxIT to eliminate "scratchy" audio and ensure a permanent, noise-free signal path.
Thermal Management: 50-year-old dried thermal compound is replaced on all heat-sunk power transistors to ensure efficient heat transfer and prevent thermal runaway.
For units with moving parts or radio stages, we move beyond the electronics to ensure tactile and sonic precision.
Turntable & Tape Transport: We perform a full teardown of mechanical linkages to strip "petrified" factory grease. Moving parts are relubricated with application-specific synthetics: low-viscosity turbine oil for spindles and synthetic grease for high-friction slide interfaces.
Geometry & Alignment: We calibrate stylus overhang, VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle), and tracking force using precision gauges to maximize channel separation and protect your vinyl.
Tuner Validation: We verify FM front-end sensitivity and MPX stereo separation, ensuring the dial tracks accurately across the entire band.
A unit only earns an SSV Project ID after passing our final "Burn-In" protocol.
The 48-Hour Load Test: We run the unit under a dummy load for 48 continuous hours while monitoring for thermal drift or intermittent component failure.
Final Sign-Off: If the DC offset and bias don't stay rock-solid after the burn-in, it doesn't leave the bench. Every SSV unit arrives with a summary of the work performed and the components replaced.