Yamaha CR-420 Stereo Receiver Restoration

The Craigslist ad read “Yamaha CR-420 stereo receiver, great cosmetic condition, protection relay does not close.” I had wanted a vintage receiver to connect my turntable to for some time, so I went for it. I soon learned the reason the protection relay didn’t close — the main board was a disaster! Ripped up traces, missing pads, bodge wires everywhere. It was unsalvageable.

I could eat the money or double down and find another unit to cannibalize. There just so happened to be one for a reasonable price on eBay, so I went for it.

It took several weeks, tons of notes, and regularly consulting with the very smart people on the audiokarma forums, but I was able to make one good unit from two, and I’m very happy with how it turned out.

P.S. Be sure to check out Secret School, who was kind enough to provide the awesome music for this video.