hi guys.........pretty new to this but i have started my collection with a sharp gf555..
When it plays either tape or radio, the led meters are pretty much on full all the time regardless of what volume its at...any help please
thanx

Well, it's unlikely to be your tapes unless they've all been recorded waaaay up in the red, but radio stations (FM esp.) have much higher average modulation levels these days than when those boxes were manufactured in the 80's (the delusional 'loudest wins' war!).

But most likely is someone has adjusted the meter level pots (variable resistors, rheostats) on the main board to make the leds light up to a greater extent. They may be marked 'meter adj' or something similar on the PCB.

except that if the meters are on full and don't blink at all, then chances are the meter driver amps are in full switch/saturation mode, either through device failure of the amp or the coupled pre-amp.

Oh, and when I am talking amps, I am talking meter amps -- not the audio amp.

really appreciate the replies.......thanx