Loose phono connection on amp

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the record spot

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Tiny wee bit of a problem folks - my amp (the Marantz in the signature line below) seems to have a problem. The sound from the left speaker when I play an LP. If I toggle the phono input plug from the Rega into the phono socket at the back of the Marantz, then the sound is restored. By the way the phono socket moves, I think the fault lies at the amp's end rather than the cable attached to the record deck. Does anyone have an idea how much the repair is likely to cost - as a rough estimate? Being electronics, it's not something I want to undertake myself!
 
Should be straight forward to fix yourself as it sounds like the phono socket has come loose. Take the lid off being careful not to lose any screws after disconnecting from the mains (wait a while before touching anything inside) and simply tighten the nut behind the offending socket.
 
Hmmm, who gets sued if someone electrocutes themselves after reading this advice?
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You are joking? How do you think DIY'ers get on if they can't take the lids off equipment?
 
Kind of joking but this statement worries me slightly:

[quote user="gpi"](wait a while before touching anything inside)[/quote]

Don't really know much about the internal electronics of amps, but this suggests some sort of capacitor could be storing electricity up and could therefore electrocute you if touched (from what I remember of GCSE physics, certainly with TVs at any rate!). If this happened and someone pointed the finger at you saying "Where was the warning?!", would they have a case?
 
Eh, you have quoted my warning? Also I'm suggesting the OP tightens a nut, not rewires the pcb's.

If he isn't confident about unplugging it and taking out a few screws, best if he pays someone else to do it.
 
Fair enough advice indeed. Just pointing out that "a while" isn't a very scientific time period - could be 30 seconds, could be 5 minutes, could be several days!

My post wasn't really aimed at you, more to the WHF site. After all, someone successfully sued McDonalds as I remember for not putting a warning on the cups that coffee might be hot. Or that airline peanuts might contain nuts... Shows you someone can sue you for anything these days, so could WHF be liable should someone give perfectly reasonable advice to someone who's careful with electronics and some idiot reads it later, opens up his amp and starts shoving his screwdriver around, then says, "but I read it here!!"?
 
You are right prof, best not to give out this kind of advice, sorry. Mind you I'm sure WHF will have a disclaimer stating this is a public forum and all views stated are not their views etc.
 
Indeed, I'm sure they do, not all of them hold up legally sometimes, but I'm sure they would remove it if it was an issue.

It's a shame though, as it's good advice that would save someone sensible a reasonable amount of money. I think you just have to make sure there's a big disclaimer about "risk of electrocution", "if you're not sure don't do it" etc. which I think we've covered here now!
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"16The information provided on or in the Site is intended for recreational, non-commercial purposes only. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided by Haymarket and its employees in these pages, the contents of the Site reflect the opinions of the writers, they are personal to them and are naturally subject to change from time to time. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF USERS TO CHECK THE ACCURACY OF RELEVANT FACTS AND OPINIONS GIVEN ON THE SITE BEFORE ENTERING INTO ANY COMMITMENT BASED UPON THEM."

Presumably death by electrocution would count as "commitment"?
 
[quote user="the record spot"]Tiny wee bit of a problem folks - my amp (the Marantz in the signature line below) seems to have a problem. The sound from the left speaker when I play an LP. If I toggle the phono input plug from the Rega into the phono socket at the back of the Marantz, then the sound is restored. By the way the phono socket moves, I think the fault lies at the amp's end rather than the cable attached to the record deck.

Does anyone have an idea how much the repair is likely to cost - as a rough estimate? Being electronics, it's not something I want to undertake myself![/quote]

sorry but you havent actually stated what happens to the sound from the left speaker...? Regardless, as GPI says the socket is loose and to ammend this you will either need to take the cover off and find a nut or screw to tighten. However, you may be able to tighten it from the rear of the case (depending on your amp the phono connections may be secured to the rear panel of the amp.

Unfortunately, if you are experiencing a degradation of sound from your left speaker as a result of this loose socket then it is likely the excessive movemnt has damaged the connection between the phono socket and the PCB to which it is soldered.
The good news is that this is a relatively simple fix for any qualified person and shouldnt cost more than 30GBP.
Goodluck
 
[quote user="ifitsoundsgoodlistentoit"][quote user="the record spot"]Tiny wee bit of a problem folks - my amp (the Marantz in the signature line below) seems to have a problem. The sound from the left speaker when I play an LP. If I toggle the phono input plug from the Rega into the phono socket at the back of the Marantz, then the sound is restored. By the way the phono socket moves, I think the fault lies at the amp's end rather than the cable attached to the record deck.

Does anyone have an idea how much the repair is likely to cost - as a rough estimate? Being electronics, it's not something I want to undertake myself![/quote]

sorry but you havent actually stated what happens to the sound from the left speaker...? Regardless, as GPI says the socket is loose and to ammend this you will either need to take the cover off and find a nut or screw to tighten. However, you may be able to tighten it from the rear of the case (depending on your amp the phono connections may be secured to the rear panel of the amp.

Unfortunately, if you are experiencing a degradation of sound from your left speaker as a result of this loose socket then it is likely the excessive movemnt has damaged the connection between the phono socket and the PCB to which it is soldered.
The good news is that this is a relatively simple fix for any qualified person and shouldnt cost more than 30GBP.
Goodluck[/quote]

Aren't they always???? The nuts that hold the phono sockets to the casing are on the inside so the lid needs to be removed or at least slid away from the rear panel. I'm unsure what you are adding to my initial advice.
 
Thanks for all the replies folks - and well spotted that I hadn't fully described the problem! The sound in fact drops entirely from the left channel. Other inputs are fine, so my suspicion is entirely with the phono input lug on the amp. I appreciate this probably is an easy fix, but I'd prefer to leave that to someone more qualified. I did fix an input plug on the Missions I have last year, but this is a bit of a step up!

Thanks also for the estimate; I'd kind of thought it might be around the £30 mark - maybe up to £40. Either way, it's cheaper than £400 for a replacement!

Much appreciated all - cheers.
 

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