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 105℃ rated 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 Priority insured return shipping to a US address and a 60-day "Repair It or Replace It" warranty on the entire tuner.
Optional Additional Upgrades to the Essentials Package:
- Add a second premium QUIET cooling fan. $25. Strongly recommended, doubles warranty from 60 days to 120 days.
- 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 listed optional upgrades with 120-day warranty: $275.
*3 capacitors are long-life 85℃ rated part due to availability.
Photos below are examples of my work.
Repair Policy
Some XDR-F1HDs still in use are nearing 15 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 / dave@xdrguy.com