If I'm working on your tuner, you aren't billed until the work is completed and photos have been provided. Payment is via an emailed secure PayPal business invoice (not Friends & Family). You don't need a PayPal account to pay a PayPal business invoice and there are no invoice-related service charges when paid in full. A credit or debit card works, as well as PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.

Please note that I am not Best Buy or Amazon. Tuners offered for sale, modded, and/or repaired units come with a warranty that they will perform as described. But I don't do returns/refunds if a buyer changes their mind.

"Level 1" Essential Refurbishment Package

Extend the tuner's service life, improve its audio quality

Install a premium QUIET cooling fan.
Upgrade all aluminum electrolytic capacitors in the power supply, main board, and tuner/DSP Module with higher-quality long-life parts.
Recalibrate the +8.5V voltage regulator circuit.
Replace the display backlight LEDs so the display is bright and sharp again.
Replace all tactile pushbutton switches.
Install Sony mods to the audio jacks if not already present (will usually be needed if serial number starts with “8”).
Align FM section for best sensitivity and confirm it’s well within the right ballpark.
Install audio fidelity improvements for flatter frequency response, reduced distortion, and improved headroom.
Replace IC 906, 1.8V Precision Low Noise Voltage Regulator (as IC 906 ages it has a very high failure rate).
Improve the stability of the unregulated +10.5V power supply rail by replacing the standard silicon rectifier diode with a Schottky diode.

The Level 1 Essential Refurbishment Package described above is $195 including USPS Priority or UPS Ground return shipping to a US address and a 60-day "Repair It or Replace It" warranty on the entire tuner. Add $12 for FedEx Ground shipping..

Optional Additional Upgrades to the Essentials Package:

Add a second premium QUIET cooling fan. Strongly recommended, doubles warranty from 60 days to 120 days. $25
Install a Forced Analog switch so you can listen to a station's HD1 in analog mode if desired (requires drilling a 1/4" hole in rear panel for the switch). $20
Replace the factory audio jacks with new gold Switchcraft jacks. $20
Install a 7.5 Farad "Super Capacitor" to provide backup power for station presets and clock time. $20
Modify the display backlighting to auto-dim when the tuner is shut off. Also enhances the variation between the HIGH-MED-LOW brightness settings. $20

Discounted Package Pricing for the Level 1 Essentials + All 5 optional upgrades with 120-day warranty: $275. Includes USPS Priority or UPS Ground return shipping. Add $12 for FedEx Ground shipping.

Photos below are examples of my work.

Repair Policy

Some XDR-F1HDs still in use are nearing 18 years of service. I'm seeing a big increase lately in requests for problem diagnosis and repair of failed tuners as they age. I don't charge to diagnose the problem(s).

The most common problems will be fixed by doing the Level 1 Essential Refurbishment. After that's done, the tuner should have a substantially extended service life. So going forward, the Level 1 Essentials is the minimum repair procedure. The Level 1 package price of $195 includes a 60 day "Repair It or Replace It" warranty on the entire tuner, and Priority insured return shipping to you.

If I find something else going on during problem diagnosis that won't be fixed by the Level 1 Essentials Package, I'll contact you and discuss the options. For example a replacement HD Module costs $100 above and beyond the L1 Pkg - maybe that's just too much. In that case if you just want the tuner back, return shipping costs $20. If you want out of the tuner, I might offer to buy it from you to use as a parts donor. There's no pressure either way - it's up to you. I'll always tell you straight-up what's wrong and what your options are.

XDRGuy, LLC

Modification, Repair, and Sale of the Sony XDR-F1HD Tuner

Repair Policy