MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I have an old technics amp that I use for the sound from my computer. Been working fine for 20 years. audio output from the desktop into aux input. Run the 'puter at 65% volume and its similar to anything else. 2 days ago its suddenly started cutting in and out with a click like a relay clicking on and off at any peaks in the sound. turn the input right down to 10% and turn the amp up to compensate it still works fine.
So I assume something in the amp is failing but thats the limit of my electronics knowledge
The line out from this amp is used to put the sounds to my main amp that runs 4 pairs of speakers around the house - all hard wired
Is it likely to be something easy / cheap to fix? Or is the amp scrap?
Reduce / reuse / recycle - I'd like to keep it running if possible as I like the setup and have dual outputs so I can either have little speakers beside the 'puter running or proper ones for music
At that vintage, capacitor plague I'll wager. Take the lid off and look for any caps that have bulging / burst tops.
Ta.
*gets out crowbar and hammer*
Well now I know where the dust bunnies I evicted from the computer have gone! Now evicted from the amp and lo and behold - its working fine!
The big transformer looked like it had been getting hot - maybe insulation breaking down? Maybe dust bunnies shorting it? Capacitors looked OK - that will be the two big round thingies?
Transformer wiring is usually enamel (over copper) I can't see that breaking down.
Yes caps will be big cylinders.
Dust itself can be an issue. We’ve had sound desks that develop problems caused by dust accumulating in insert sockets which we very rarely use. Easily fixed with a bit of contact cleaner and plugging a jack in and out a few times.
evicting the dust bunnies seems to have worked. Still weird behaviour tho as it was input levels that caused it to click out not output -
Dust itself can be an issue
a thick layer of dust is a pretty effective insulating blanket. Often causes issues on computers (esp laptops)
I was referring to the fact that dust can cause problems in the signal path rather than the common overheating problem it can cause. It could also be corrosion or dirt in the volume switch if the thing normally never moves. I'd try some contact cleaner on that to see if it helps.
Cougar
At that vintage, capacitor plague I’ll wager. Take the lid off and look for any caps that have bulging / burst tops.
I don't know why you would wager that, given that affected components mostly failed within a few hours, twenty years ago.
Capacitors in general do degrade over time and sometimes fail, but just because they do doesn't mean it's anything to do with the 'plague'.