Trustfull source to buy components

Good afternoon,

"If it works dont fix it" they say. Now my Beomaster as failed, I need to fix it!

I'm preparing to change capacitors, starting with the preamp board and moving on until it works again.

But there is little information about doing this: general information, process, tricks. Anyway I'm cornered and I have to jump in it.

Anyway, I'd like to know if there is any trustable source for components (mainly capacitors but also whatever will be needed)? I've found different links but they're dont seem trustable (various web design and prices and links, but same legal texts, about us, policy, in what looks like Google translate. Because I've read Dillen speak so many times about fake components, it's a concern.

Also I've read words I dont understand like Vishay, Elkos, brands like Panasonic or others.
If somebody would be kind enough to do a quick 1o1 and maybe point me to things I need to look after carefully when choosing the pieces, that would be really helpful.

Thank you alls.

Hi Matador43,

It depends a lot on what electronic components you are referring to.
For passive components like resistors, capacitors and inductors there are plenty of great manufacturers making brand new ones.
So you can acquire them from big name electronic parts suppliers like Mouser, Newark and Digikey. I name those three because I live in the USA and those are big ones I use here. We also have some others but I like using the three I mentioned. Ninety-five percent of the time I buy parts from Mouser because they are just twenty minutes from my house and if I place an online order with them I always get it the next day. Quite convenient and for most type of things I am looking for all three suppliers carry the same thing. 

The brands the big suppliers carry for passive components should be good and if you end up doing a lot of restorations then you will likely develop your favorites. That's what I did.

If you are only going to restore one or two Bang & Olufsen audio components then why not buy a kit from Martin?  It will save you time hunting down the correct parts.

When you get to active components like transistors and integrated circuits that is where you have to start having concerns about counterfeit parts.
In addition, there are a number of active type parts that are no longer produced. In those cases you have to either find equivalent modern replacements or find good working used parts. You have to be suspicious of "new" parts for components that are no longer manufactured by the original source.

My experience with the big reputable suppliers is that they are trustworthy and if I ever did receive a bad part from them I know that they would make good on the error.

In choosing replacements it is best to restore with the same type of device where possible. For example, replace carbon film resistors with carbon film resistors. Metal film resistors with metal film resistors. With capacitors I always try to match the same voltage rating. If the capacitance value is not available at the same voltage rating then I try going up (always up) to the next voltage level. 

There are some exceptions in replacing the old values with some slightly different component but that information you can obtain from experienced technicians that have worked on these B&O components a long time. Martin is certainly one of those and so is Frede.  Sometimes there is a difference in opinion so that is why it is good to discuss options on the Beoworld Workbench Forum. You can then make your own decision when you have multiple opinions on something :-).

Regarding "If it works dont fix it".  That applies in some cases and doesn't apply in others. I think a lot of people that claim their thirty to forty old audio components are still working are most likely listening to degraded performance if the electrolytic capacitors are still the originals. Once the units are finally restored the real sound can be heard. ...Not picking on you with that comment by the way :-).  I just read that a lot. Especially on Ebay where sellers often declare something as still working. 

I hope that helps.

-sonavor

Vocabulary word: "Elkos" is just what some people call electrolytic capacitors.  ("Elcons" is another, less obvious term for same, because capacitors used to be called "condensers" by old Britons.)  "Vishay" is just a brand name, an old-line US manufacturer of, originally, foil precision resistors, but now more often high-power MOSFETs.  But Vishay also bought Roederstein and Sprague, so calling something a Vishay can also sometimes mean an electrolytic capacitor!

Hi Sonavor and TrackBeo and thank you both for your answers.

sonavor:

If you are only going to restore one or two Bang & Olufsen audio components then why not buy a kit from Martin?  It will save you time hunting down the correct parts.

I think about it but his website doesn't show a kit for that Beomaster. That have would be a perfect solution, even more knowing it's kits often come with precise instructions.

sonavor:

...Not picking on you with that comment

No worries, I understand your comment and was thinking to it while writing this more like a dash of humor.
After reading a lot here on component aging and figuring out most of those thing can be 50+ it makes sense.
Now, the think is some of us (or at least me) are afraid to dig into the unit with the risk of making it worse than before.
I know every piece of vintage B&O need deep care (particularly my beocord 1200 where you can actually hear there is something wrong),
but opening it to fit new belts was already scaring and I'm afraid to touch something vital. Then of course, I should send it for repair to a specialist, but that's expensive and not convenient because of the shipping. So I have to wait, learning little by little in the meantime.
For example, turning the guts upside down from my Beosound 9000 was not much of a problem: it was already dead. On the contrary, my old things still works. Even if I dont enjoy them at full quality, I dont want to make them worse, be it just in the case I pass them to anyone more skilled which will work on a sane base and not a butchered one.

trackbeo:

"Elcons" is another, less obvious term for same, because capacitors used to be called "condensers" by old Britons.

… And Frenchies: "condensateurs"! Now you say it, I realize I should have figured it out myself. Anyway, clarified a lot of things and that will make my reading of some posts more clear!

Thank you again for your valuable replies. I will see how Sonavor's links works here in Europe, and keep you in touch.

 

 

 

Hi Matador43,

Which Beomaster type are you wanting to restore? 

I would contact Martin directly via PM on Beoworld and see if he can provide the kit even if it isn't listed on Beoparts.

-sonavor

Hi Sonavor.

It's Beomaster 1001.

I will contact Martin.

But that was also a generic question since IF it happens it's in my range to refresh its electronics I've a lot of units wainting for the same treatment (namely the BC1200). And I would like to be able do do it by myself. I've gathered a little amateurrish electronic lab and I'm also learning again the electonic basis.

Of course for my first deep attempt it will be safe to be sure of the component sourcing by Dillen and just hope for my skills to be as well :-) 

Indeed a servicekit is available for the Beomaster 1001/1200 with capacitors, trimmers and lamps.
PM or email me.

Martin

Thank you Martin,

Message sent.