Dear All Help!? I have just set up my Denon Amp, CA640 CD and MS speakers for umpteenth time after moving house three times in last two years and having builders in and out. Everything was packaged lovingly as usual. On set up there is a weird fluctuation on the volume through one channel that is uncontrollable. It can jump up to full volume even when turned down to zero. It's not the speakers or the CD but could be a problem with amp which is the oldest bit of kit or maybe the speaker wire (doubt it). Has anyone encountered this before and have any fixes? Could it be something in the set up or is the amp knackered? I don't have a spare to experiment with. Any help gratefully received - I keep waking the kids up!!! Stephen
Volume issues
- Thread starter admin_exported
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Can't see how incorrect connections or variable CD player outputs (not that the Cambridge has these) would cause this effect. Sounds most likely that a fault has developed in the amp while it's been in storage, perhaps from moisture, dust or just age.
Sounds like nothing more than either a damaged control (maybe a crack in the resitive element) or if you are lucky just a physical problem such as the control requiring resoldering. Could it have been bashed in storage ?
eggontoast
Well-known member
- Feb 23, 2011
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This happens to amplifiers which have been shipped in the post a lot. The pots take a knock when the unit is dropped on the front, as Mooly said this then cracks the carbon track in the pot. You might be lucky and it's cracked a solder joint but 9 times out of 10 it's the pot. What is the model number of the amplifier ?
It's a Denon PMA-250. Looks like, unless I know how to solder, I'll have to get a new amp. What goes well with a Cambridge 640C v2 and Mordaunt Short 914 floor standers? Thanks for everyone's advice and help so far (and I am not sitting on the remote - lol)!
Seems a pity to bin it just for that. If that is what you are going to do then you have nothing to lose in taking the top and bottom off and having a look at the area around the VC and where it is soldered. Even better if you could post a close up pic of the soldering on the control and the immediate area.
Will post a pic and see what others think. Any further advice would be gratefully received. New questions: is it a good enough amp to warrant holding onto? If I was looking to gradually upgrade what would you go for as a replacement to go with the CA640Cv2 and MS914? I listen to wide range of music and have a lot of vinyl so want to add a turntable too. Budget? Around £300 for amp but it could be second hand - not proud!! Thanks to all. Stephen
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