This is a relatively old VCR. Paid $270 + taxes. Got hit by
lightening, paid close to $100 to get it fixed. And it is close to
junk now (maybe it is already).

Anyway, it plays very good pictures, but the sound is very noisy. I
tried to clean the audio head and it didn't help.

Any suggestions?

Can you describe how the sound is "noisy"? Is it distorted? Or does
it contain a constant "white-noise" type of sound? Do quieter passages
sound OK and only louder sounds noisy, or is the noise constant,
regardless of the loudness of the program? Is it noisy when you
playback prerecorded tapes?

It has constant white-noise. The noise is not from tape. The noise
can go louder if turning up the volume. I didn't try a blank tape, but
it should have the same noise. That noise blocks most of the sound
from the tapes.

What's your electronics repair ability level? Got a schematic?

The noise can go louder if turning up the volume.

Er, the volume control of....? Your TV?

Sounds like you've likely got a noisy junction in a transistor or amp
IC somewhere in your audio section. Depending on your ability and what
equipment you have (and whether or not you have a schematic diagram),
it could be easy to find, or a real hassle.

If you've got to pay someone else to repair this for you, unless you're
in love with it, I wouldn't bother.