Tuner Nikko gamma 30

Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
Hi

I bought a Nikko gamma 30 tuner in excellent condition. I want to do a restore and a circuit upgrade.
I need the schematic diagram and I think it's on the last page of the instruction manual.

Someone can help me? Thank you for your attention.
Atentamente/Best Regards

Jon
 

Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
Hi "kach22i"

Yes, I renewed the tuner, a friend, on forum provided me with the service manual, which facilitated the upgrade.

About the upgrade, I intend only FM. So I deleted the AM tuning block. The three power supplies (+ 12V; + 5V and + 27V) have been changed: The muting circuit has been eliminated, because it impairs the sound quality).
The (front-end) was modified, the first stage amplifier Jfet (2SK168), is now a double gate mosfet, BF981, I have the advantage of having better gain and a very low noise. All electrolytic capacitors have been replaced. The ceramic capacitors were replaced by the MKP 1837 from vishay and some from Wima.
In the path of the audio signal, the electrolytic ones were replaced by the conrad jonhson, with the help of a new PCB. In the MPX equalization the capacitors were replaced by mica of cornell dublier.
All resistors were replaced by metal film... Vishay, Welwin and Philips (NOS)
The RCA connectors have been replaced by XLR, as well as the feet.
The antenna terminal with the help of a new pcb, now has an F 75 ohm connector, but I decided to keep the terminals balanced 300ohm

After calibrating, I used some tuners as a comparison, including the classic and rare NAIM nat 01. I confess that it surpassed all my expectations, especially when it is with classical music in my favorite station...

jon

ps: as soon as possible I put photos here.
 

kach22i

WBF Founding Member
Apr 21, 2010
1,591
210
1,635
Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.kachadoorian.com
All resistors were replaced by metal film... Vishay, Welwin and Philips (NOS)
I'm assuming they were ceramic with color coded stripes.

Any suggestions on replacing resistors on an old tube amp with circuit board, hard to find 11 ohm and 2 watt?

New Old Stock, where does one go for that?

In another forum they were talking about mixing 2-3 resistor types together to tune the sound.

Have you heard of this?

Congrats on your new tuner in an old case.

I loved that brand you have, was something I drooled over even though I had an SAE Two RC3 receiver at the time.
 

Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
Hi

I loved that brand you have, was something I drooled over even though I had an SAE Two RC3 receiver at the time.

About 25 years ago, I had a tuner Nikko gamma 30 , but I don't know what I made of it !!!! I found this one in good condition and good price. I bought because, good times I had with it in my youth, the difference is that now it is something special for me.

In another forum they were talking about mixing 2-3 resistor types together to tune the sound.

Have you heard of this?

Yes, my professional experience over the years also says so. I recently purchased a wadia 8 and upgraded it only as a transport, the DAC section has delete (type wadia 6), it was possibly the most complex upgrade I did, (about 7 months) and one of the upgrades was a mix of 2 types of resistors to reduce the minimum possible jitter in new master clock and reclock.
 
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Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
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Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
pictures 2...
 

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Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon

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Stacore

Industry Expert
Feb 23, 2017
641
196
180
Gdańsk, Poland
stacore.pl
Hi Jon,

Pleased to see another tuner enthusiast here:) We have recently added Sansui TU-X1 to our system. With a right program (lucky to have a fantastic classical radio with live broadcasts), listening to it is a revelatory experience!
Great technical skills on your side, congratulations! Have been thinking of a similar refurbishment but at the moment simply afraid of changing a single part not to spoil any aspect of the magic. Unbelievable how this bunch of ceramic caps and electrolytics in the signal creates such a sound.
Our machine was just cleaned and realigned. Now learning about antennas and how to properly use them.

Cheers,
 

Jon Q

VIP/Donor
Jun 16, 2019
90
43
150
Lisbon
Hi
Thanks for your feedback

I had this tuner in mind, an incredible machine, with a good upgrade, I believe it would be something.... out of the ordinary. The reason I purchased this tuner is personal, which I mentioned here.

Cheers
 

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