Ancient Audio Equipment Advice Please

Swan_2

hi,
I have an old amp & speakers that my son gave me when he moved away to uni, & one of the channels has developed an ear-splitting 'crackle' when adjusting the volume

I'm not looking for a diagnosis, just wondering whether, given the age of the equipment, it's worth paying to get it looked at

it's a Technics SU-V550 amp & a pair of SB-C350 speakers

any advice welcome, even if it's 'bin it'

amcluesent

Very likely it's the carbon tracks in potentiometer that have worn out, causing the crackle. Given the availability of parts and labour costs, freecycle it.

amonra

If you feel a bit adventurous, switch it off at the mains, take the "lid" off the amp and then spray the volume control potentiometer with WD 40. Try and use a long thin nozzle to inject the fluid directly into the pot, then wind it back and fro a few times to clear it.
As amcluesent above has said, it's probably just dust on the tracks.
Good luck.

Swan_2

amonra wrote: »

If you feel a bit adventurous, switch it off at the mains, take the "lid" off the amp and then spray the volume control potentiometer with WD 40. Try and use a long thin nozzle to inject the fluid directly into the pot, then wind it back and fro a few times to clear it.
As amcluesent above has said, it's probably just dust on the tracks.
Good luck.

thanks for that suggestion, I've nothing to lose by giving it a try

I've Googled potentiometer to see what one looks like, so I'm hoping I can find it without too much trouble & I guess if I observe the same sort of precautions as I do when messing around inside my pcs, hopefully I won't do any damage

I'll keep you posted

Swan_2

it worked!!! no more hideous crackle

I was ready to get rid of it, which would have been a shame because although it's old, it still sounds pretty good
I know it won't last forever, but I can enjoy listening to it for a while yet

thank you so much amonra :A

[Deleted User]

Pots cost next to nothing anyway and they're quite simple to change out, so if it does go again then you've got the option to do it..

Swan_2

be_alright wrote: »

Pots cost next to nothing anyway and they're quite simple to change out, so if it does go again then you've got the option to do it..

my son's got a friend who trained as an electrical engineer, but I didn't want to go bothering him with what might have been a complicated & potentially expensive problem

now I know it's something simple & inexpensive, I won't be afraid to approach him & ask for help