Help with Fisher 203

[wiedero]

I picked up a Fisher 203 last week at tag sale and it looked in good shape. When I powered it on and hooked up speakers to test it makes a loud crackling noise even when the volume is on the lowest setting. I took off the top and bottom covers and blew out all the dust and then cleaned all the controls with contact cleaner twice and blew out entire unit again. It still has very loud crackling noise when volume isn't turned up and I can barley get any sound from the radio, but then crackling get even louder.

Any thoughts on the problem?

[EmperorNorton]

Would only be guessing but would advice you to only hook up cheap and  "disposable"  speakers to it, in case it sends some DC out and fries the speakers.  You don't want to cook some premium speakers.   
  Good luck!

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

First thing to do is look for any bulging caps.   I'm not a tech and can't help you much past that.

[MacGeek]

Is the crackling sound in one channel or both; just the radio or other inputs as well?  Can you test the unit with headphones?  If so does the output from the headphone jack also crackle?

[wiedero]

The crackling noise is on both channels and all inputs. Have not tried headphones yet

[MacGeek]

At this point, based on what you have shared, my tech skills would take me to a local repair shop. Service might cost more than it's worth; there is one on ebay for $150.

[wiedero]

I agree, I will probably list in on Ebay as for parts use only.