Anyone able to help me tweak my Sony 5650 VFET?

[thd]

Hi,

It's been a while since I lurked around this forum but have decided to finally get my old TA-F5650 sorted out. It works and sounds pretty good but there's been a suspicion that it isn't performing to the level it is capable of. I've checked out various sites and there are a few mods recommended, including changing diodes and caps that I'd like to try, but don't feel confident about the work on my own. I know the VFETs are pretty much impossible to get hold of now so anything that helps prolong their life would be great. Also most reports of the amp states it runs pretty hot whereas mine runs cool which makes me think something (the quiescent current maybe?) hasn't been adjusted correctly.
I'm Nottingham based so if anyone with better electronics skills than mine and reasonably local fancied helping me with some alterations I'd pay for their time.
Thanks

[RichG]

That would be a very nice little project to get involved with - unfortunately I'm not very local or I'd offer my services.

[lee1975]

you should speak to J.Wood who makes his own amps. He may be able to help out and is based in nottingham(Clifton) Hid details are on the net. I should imagine he would be able to get the Sony sounding even better.

Hope this helps

[reddish75]

Change the diodes for the first job, get someone who knows what they are doing to do it or run the risk of waving bye-bye to those irreplacable vfets.

[thd]

you should speak to J.Wood who makes his own amps. He may be able to help out and is based in nottingham(Clifton) Hid details are on the net. I should imagine he would be able to get the Sony sounding even better.

Hope this helps

Just sent an email to John Wood, thanks for the advice Lee

[i_should_coco]

I just bought a 5650 and it's a very nice amp. Mine has had the diodes done already and also been re-capped. 2SK60/2SJ18 VFETs are often available on eBay. I just bought some spares.