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Should manufacturers provide circuit schematics & parts list?

Consumers often use home audio gear for a long time—often longer than the lifespan of the company who made the gear. A lot of threads on the Forum are devoted to trying to repair audio gear and requests for circuit schematics. A lot of these requests are futile and go unfulfilled because the original audio gear manufacturer is no longer in business. 

Should manufacturers adopt the practice of providing circuit schematics and parts list as part of their products’ owner’s manuals? How about upon request from the original owner?

Obviously, some manufacturers might balk at this suggestion if their designs are patented or protected by some trade secret. But I suspect those who do would be a small number and is moot in any event for a defunct company.
128x128celander

Showing 3 responses by n80

n80
2,133 posts
 
I recently paid $15 for an original paper service manual/schematic for my 1980's Toshiba receiver just to find out voltage for the lights that had burned out. I could not find a PDF on line.

So yes, I wish all components came with service manuals/schematics.

They are fairly easy to find for cars and I have them for my vehicles.

The one for my tractor was over $100.


n80
2,133 posts
 
I don't think liability is an issue. The auto manufacturers have all put their service manuals out there for free. If there isn't liability there then there surely won't be in a piece of audio equipment.
n80
2,133 posts
 
Fortunately I have been able to easily find all of the FSMs (factory service manuals) for my Nissans and Infinitis for free on the internet.

As mentioned, my tractor service manual was more expensive and combined with the illustrated parts list was close to $250 if I remember.

Service manuals and schematics for a lot of vintage Japanese audio components are pretty easy to find on the internet cheap or free.

I thought $15 for the one I got for my Toshiba was pricey but it was not a common unit. It was also original paper and quite detailed.
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