5 channels with idential very weak distorted sound after garage storage for 10 years

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Victor Taylor

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May 7, 2026, 2:58:10 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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Hi,

I have a Neotek series  3 (not C) and it was stored in a non-climate controlled garage (so it froze and got warm, like over 100 degrees F in high humidity) for about 10 years.  19 of the channels are perfect and noiseless, but 5 channels have an identical bad sound, they're very weak (I have to turn the pre all the way up to hear anything, and then it's extremely distorted).  I treated the Shadow switches with a small amount of stabilent in a syringe and it didn't help. 

The power supply voltages are all spot on.  I'm worried that storing it like that may have degraded some capacitors and caused a power surge for the opamps in the preamp section. 

Is it a good idea to just try swapping the preamp opamps out for new ones?  What brand should I purchase?  Is it a better idea to very cautiously probe the V+ pin of each opamp to verify they are receiving correct voltage? I will download the infosheet for each one and do that if it's worthwhile. 

Thanks for the tips!
-Victor

PS some more info, this is the hard wired version.  There is no master section or meter. I have not tested the line inputs yet. 

Rob Still

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May 7, 2026, 4:18:52 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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Test all the line inputs to compare.
Maybe check the ribbon connector.
All they 5 adjacent channels or spread randomly?

RS

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Victor Taylor

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May 7, 2026, 4:30:40 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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Thanks for the tip, Dr. Still!  They're spread out seemingly randomly.  It was 7 channels with issues but on one channel I replaced a burnt resistor and it's nearby cap, fixed it, and another the opamp legs needed cleaning.  I'm impressed this console has held up so well, it's totally hiss and noise free after 40+ years.  

Mike S.

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May 7, 2026, 5:00:52 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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HI
High humidity will damage / oxide Ic's sockets and IC's leads, look at them if they are black. Also solder Joints may become intermittent.

Some electrolitytics  may have the bottom seal going bad and the caps will be less value then the original

Sincerely 

Mike Stoica

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neotekusers/06de4d5e-f3f0-4866-9cb3-369da34f49a0n%40googlegroups.com.

brian2 brianroth.com

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May 7, 2026, 9:51:14 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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My hunch will be bad/ancient electrolytics.

Bri

________________________________________
From: neote...@googlegroups.com <neote...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Victor Taylor <renewed...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2026 3:30 PM
To: Neotek
Subject: Re: [Neotek] 5 channels with idential very weak distorted sound after garage storage for 10 years

Thanks for the tip, Dr. Still! They're spread out seemingly randomly. It was 7 channels with issues but on one channel I replaced a burnt resistor and it's nearby cap, fixed it, and another the opamp legs needed cleaning. I'm impressed this console has held up so well, it's totally hiss and noise free after 40+ years.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 3:18:52 PM UTC-5 robsti...@gmail.com wrote:
Test all the line inputs to compare.
Maybe check the ribbon connector.
All they 5 adjacent channels or spread randomly?

RS

On Thu, May 7, 2026 at 1:58 PM Victor Taylor <renewed...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,

I have a Neotek series 3 (not C) and it was stored in a non-climate controlled garage (so it froze and got warm, like over 100 degrees F in high humidity) for about 10 years. 19 of the channels are perfect and noiseless, but 5 channels have an identical bad sound, they're very weak (I have to turn the pre all the way up to hear anything, and then it's extremely distorted). I treated the Shadow switches with a small amount of stabilent in a syringe and it didn't help.

The power supply voltages are all spot on. I'm worried that storing it like that may have degraded some capacitors and caused a power surge for the opamps in the preamp section.

Is it a good idea to just try swapping the preamp opamps out for new ones? What brand should I purchase? Is it a better idea to very cautiously probe the V+ pin of each opamp to verify they are receiving correct voltage? I will download the infosheet for each one and do that if it's worthwhile.

Thanks for the tips!
-Victor

PS some more info, this is the hard wired version. There is no master section or meter. I have not tested the line inputs yet.


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May 7, 2026, 10:23:21 PM (2 days ago) May 7
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Thank you Mr. Stoica! I am actually star struck that you read this. Unbelievable. You’re a national treasure, sir. Truly a historic soul and a world changing engineer. 

I do observe a layer of dark residue/corrosion on almost all IC leads throughout all channels. Extreme humidity. Fortunately all but the 5 channels are perfect, what a durable design!!! Seems like a straightforward repair, lightly sanding the leads with fine sandpaper, and treating the IC sockets with contact cleaner. Of course replacing any failed chips.  800 thank yous for designing a professional console with IC sockets not soldered-in ICs. 
Also, I will check electrolytic capacitors for signs of seal failure. 

Thanks everyone for your help, I’ll update this thread with my results at a future date.
-Victor 

PS For all reading this: this console was in use for 31 years and stored in less-than-ideal conditions for 10 years and it powered on and functions perfectly whisper quiet save for a few channels. BEYOND  mastery of craftsmanship and component choices!!! 
On May 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Mike S. <sytek....@gmail.com> wrote:


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