Stereo system clean-up and trouble shooting

2009-08-05 09:48:53

#1

Jean_Peste_tu?: Yes I Do; +44|6881|Auteuil, Laval

I have and old Kenwood KA-51B integrated amplifier that is about 25 year old.
For the longest time it was just doing his job right.
Lately he started making cracking sounds on the bass frequencies.
I've checked cables and replaced some the were a bit stiff, some were as old as my amplifier!

Anyway it still does it. I'm thinking of cleaning contacts and controls.
Is there something better than the old WD-40 to do the job?

Also the power supp is making and stronger buzzing sound than before, it somehow always had done a bigger buzzing than other amps I had in the past. Question; is it only the transformer that is making the sound or other parts that I could replace? While being at replacement of some parts, (if needed) should I look for other parts to replace?

Or you could tell me forget it go get a better amp.

Tell me what you think.

2009-08-05 11:22:36

#2

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6242|Toronto

inb4 Freezer says replace caps.
T'as un budget de remplacement?

I like pie.

2009-08-05 11:32:58

#3

Jean_Peste_tu?: Yes I Do; +44|6881|Auteuil, Laval

No I don't have a replacement budget but I can. It's just not in my priorities right now. I still have stuff to do around my new house before to see what I have left as budget. If I have only to replace a few caps, diodes or else I don't care, I have a friend that can get electronic components cheap from where he works. Like 50$ or around that woudn't bleed me at all. But when replacing an amp I will have to go listen and all + I don't want to move my speakers to listen when swaping amps to compare is a pain and not all stores accept that. Shit my speaker are weighing around 80# each. Ouch my back again! If I can avoid replacement I will try not to.

2009-08-05 11:52:53

#4

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6242|Toronto

Jean_Peste_tu? wrote:
No I don't have a replacement budget but I can. It's just not in my priorities right now. I still have stuff to do around my new house before to see what I have left as budget. If I have only to replace a few caps, diodes or else I don't care, I have a friend that can get electronic components cheap from where he works. Like 50$ or around that woudn't bleed me at all. But when replacing an amp I will have to go listen and all + I don't want to move my speakers to listen when swaping amps to compare is a pain and not all stores accept that. Shit my speaker are weighing around 80# each. Ouch my back again! If I can avoid replacement I will try not to.

Well, if it's over 25 years old, you should def. replace the caps. That'll help, and then you can treat any other problems as they occur.

I like pie.

2009-08-05 13:03:01

#5

Jean_Peste_tu?: Yes I Do; +44|6881|Auteuil, Laval

If I replace the caps, another question is only the main ones (referred mainly to power output) or the whole set? (It's a integrated amp so the pre amp has also capacitors)

Meh... if it goes there I may replace, period.

2009-08-06 06:40:29

#6

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6458|Winland

Yes, you should definitely replace all of them. The smaller ones fail sooner than the big ones. It could be a good idea to put somewhat bigger caps in the power supply with an amplifier that weak (50WPC), if you're planning to push it. 2x5600 to 2x6800µF wouldn't hurt, or 2x6800 to 2x10000.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2009-08-06 10:01:10

#7

Jean_Peste_tu?: Yes I Do; +44|6881|Auteuil, Laval

Thanks Freezer,

I will check for the available space to put bigger caps. (Its only a 2 unit rack size amp) On the side my speakers are really sensitive (102db/1w/1m). It does compensate for the lack of power of the amp. And I think this amp was somewhat a good breed, shit the transformer is using a quarter of the whole amp. For that I don't think it's missing power and he's heavy also.

For cleaning WD-40 is still the best or there's something new that I should know about?

Thanks again.

M

2009-08-06 10:12:14

#8

ghettoperson: Member; +1,943|6910

WD-40 if it doesn't move and it should, duct tape if it moves and it shouldn't. It's also pretty handy at cleaning stuff.

2009-08-06 11:21:39

#9

Jean_Peste_tu?: Yes I Do; +44|6881|Auteuil, Laval

ghettoperson wrote:
WD-40 if it doesn't move and it should, duct tape if it moves and it shouldn't. It's also pretty handy at cleaning stuff.

lol I hope that variable resistors (potentiometers) are moving parts.

So the old time favorite still wins. WD40FTW!!!

I just need to establish my bill of material to upgrade then.

Merci.

2009-08-06 15:03:21

#10

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6458|Winland

DeoxIT tends to work better than WD-40 for pots.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

BF2S Forums Stereo system clean-up and trouble shooting

Jean_Peste_tu? wrote:

ghettoperson wrote:

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