The high-voltage regulator in these products can fail. Indications are one or more of the red "failure" lamps on the circuit board lighting. In the case of the SA-3000, there can be woofer pumping when the Phono input is selected and the volume control is advanced.

The cause of this is failure of one or more of the Zener diodes used to set the reference voltage for the high-voltage regulator. These were originally French-made SGS parts that have proven to be unreliable. Unfortunately, when these parts fail, several more of the solid-state parts in the regulator fail, too. This is, however, no pattern to the failure, so I can't tell you what parts to replace -- it's different every time.

Solution: It must be repaired or further damage will occur.

• You can order a Service Manual and do it yourself. Some of the parts, like Siemens high-voltage TO-92 MOSFETs and Motorola plastic power parts are difficult to get. Troubleshooting and repair of the high-voltage regulator requires advanced knowledge of electronics.
• Or, send it to us for repair. This type of failure falls under the Minimum Service Fee catagory. See Getting It Repaired