Recaping Beogram 5500 and 6500

What’s wrong with these Beograms that makes you want to replace these circled capacitors?

They are 30 years old and at least one is blown. Electrolytics use to dry out. In the RIAA-stges of the 6500 there are more of them that need replacement. Some of them are even in series with the signal and it can lift the sound quality a bit replacing them with film caps. Even those ceramics caps sitting there can be replaced by film caps in order to improve the sound. Besides, the output impedance is a bit on the high side too. One can probably cut away the electrolytics on the main PCB and solder in new caps on the wire ends.

The RIAA definitely improves with a recap from my experiences and is easy to do without causing more trouble.

In my opinion, it’s easier to mess up settings by pulling out that main PCB than will be caused by the aged caps on it. I had 5 basket case parts units/eBay shipping disasters I recently repaired into 4 working units and I found that board to be quite particular in how it sits with how those 3 switches make contact. But these are just my opinions. But if one of the caps is “blown” that is different of course.

I’ve swapped out a couple transformers on these and I don’t remember that board being anything other than intuitive in its removal and can’t remember the details.