The AUDIOPHILE Thread

[PaulKidd]

Just wondering....Have you given the amp a really thorough visual inspection?
The reason I ask is because the older the original kit, the greater the likelihood
that there may be some degradation of the discreet components, especially the
electrolytic capacitors. Some are wound in paper and coated with wax, and over time,
they tend to leak.

I had some Heathkit amateur radio gear that failed in such a way. It might pay
to have a close look at the chassis with a magnifying glass, and watch for anything
that might look like a stain or corrosion.

The next step, if all looks well, is to replace the tubes. If you really want to get into
it, you will need some equipment to test the circuit, stage by stage. That could get
expensive, if you have to hire it out. However, there may very well be a competent
amateur in your vicinity who would do the work for the love of old equipment.

Google "Vintage audio" or "Vintage radio" and see what you find. There are clubs
all over the place. Utube has all sorts of Heathkit videos.

A company called "RF Parts" sells replacement parts.

And here is just one of many Heathkit repair facilities:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...url=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.heathkitstereo.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw3OYHMpoy35f oqwvVBax2gd

Good luck!

Paul

[thebigspendur]

Typically with tube equipment strange noises are due to tube problems. They are susceptible to all kinds of harmonics.

Since they are so old and were probably low grade tubes to begin with that's where I would start.

[thebigspendur]

I should have added SOMETIMES with tubes if you tap them bad tubes sometimes make additional sounds. It doesn't always work but usually really bad ones will indicate.

[tintin]

I should have clarified that this is a transistor type (though i do have a tube receiver that came with it). There doesn't appear to be any wax or strange substances leaking out any place and as far as i can tell everything is soldered well.
The screws for the speakers are labeled C, 4 ohm and 8, 16 ohm. I presume the c is for common or Negative. I tried switching the wires around it didn't matter. There is a post for ground but there is nothing to connect it to on the turn table.
Am i thinking correctly that one can just hook the turntable directly to the amp and play it that way? Or does the receiver have to be in the connections somewhere?

[PaulKidd]

I don't know what you have, so I'm guessing, but there is probably a
pre-amp stage. Whether it's in the turntable, the receiver or the amp,
I don't know. There just has to be one in there somewhere along the line.

Maybe you could find a manual for your gear on this website:

https://www.vintageshifi.com/reperto...f/Heathkit.php

[thebigspendur]

It's been a long time but as I recall only tube amps have taps for different impedance because they have different stages. Transistorized equipment have only one tap which is kind of a universal tap and it automatically matches the proper speaker impedance.

You cannot hook a turntable directly to a power amp. You would need a preamp with a proper output for a turntable or a separate amp to drive the turntable. This is because the power generated by the turntable cartridge is so low.

[tintin]

As i understand it from a youtube video about the same amp, this has a pre amp built into the unit. I don't recall any other outputs on the receiver. I'm afraid this repair is beyond my ability. I'm disappointed as i thought my son would be able to use the turntable with it. guess we'll have to keep a eye out for a used (low cost)alternative.

[thebigspendur]

Well if a preamp is part of it then you have an integrated amplifier. They usually have a phono output. You would know because there would be an output jack saying phono and there would be a selector switch on the front saying phono also. If those don't exist then you have no phono capability.

[mepstein10]

Can't post a picture at the moment as everything is boxed up due to water leak in listening room and did not want my gear anywhere close to contractors with powertools, so they have been relegated to living in the guest bedroom and master until the listening room is fixed. I'll have to post a picture one everything is back in order.

My system:

McIntosh C2600 tube Pre-amplifier
McIntosh MC452 Amplifier
McIntosh MCT450 Transport
McIntosh MT-10 Turntable
Wilson Audio Sasha DAW
Transparent Cables -Speaker, XLR, RCA
Straight Wire - Virtuoso R Phono Cable and Straightwire Rhaspody S XLR
ModWright Sony HAPZ1ES Truth Mod HDD music server
Allo DigiOne Signature Player with Roon Server - Tidal Streaming and NAS