Help with a Sony STR-GX10ES repair

[Todd Kanipe]

I have a Sony STR-GX10ES that I'm trying to revitalize. I loved the sound of the bad boy but it is sounding its age.

It is dropping sound in and out. It is not an abrupt "cut in/cut out" but more of a staticy fade in and out. I verified that it is not the speakers and have switched inputs around and seems not to be flaky input but something in the amplifier.

I have replaced all the electrolytic capacitors which seemed to improve the fading but it still happens. It also appears that it does it badly when it first powers-up and gradually less over the next 2-3 minutes. It also seems that at low volume the problem is worse and is diminished at higher volume settings.

Any ideas of where to start looking or how to troubleshoot?

 

[Xtinc]

I have a Sony STR-GX5ES and it exhibits similar to what you're experiencing. Mine seems to be caused by the speaker selector switch. The switch itself doesn't contain the electrical connections, but actuates an electrical contact assembly at the back of the unit near the speaker outputs. I dexoit mine and it helped a lot, still get a little static once in a while, but if I rotate the switch it goes away. I may have to replace or bypass it all together.

 

[cademan]

Clean (Deox) all controls, buttons, switches, and selectors including the tape monitor switch/button.

Could also be dirty relay contacts (if it has a relay speaker protection system).

 

[xrayspex77]

I have a STR-GX4 (ES model in the States) and had similar drop outs. It was worse in the L Channel at first, mine was fixed by cleaning the Speaker Relay. I probably would've just replaced it but the GX4 has a plastic Chassis and there are no disassembly instructions in the SM.
It was only when I was putting it back together that I noticed that the instructions for removing the Main PCB are on the underside of the Cover

 

[Todd Kanipe]

I have a Sony STR-GX5ES and it exhibits similar to what you're experiencing. Mine seems to be caused by the speaker selector switch. The switch itself doesn't contain the electrical connections, but actuates an electrical contact assembly at the back of the unit near the speaker outputs. I dexoit mine and it helped a lot, still get a little static once in a while, but if I rotate the switch it goes away. I may have to replace or bypass it all together.

Thanks for the excellent advice. The A/B switch is a crazy thing. I thought the blue thing running front to back was a ground strap or something, but is part of the actuator. In looking at the switch, I see the switch legs are badly oxidized so I'm sure the internal contacts are too. I'll go find some contact cleaner.

 

[PaperBoy007]

Thanks for the excellent advice. The A/B switch is a crazy thing. I thought the blue thing running front to back was a ground strap or something, but is part of the actuator. In looking at the switch, I see the switch legs are badly oxidized so I'm sure the internal contacts are too. I'll go find some contact cleaner.

Realizing this is an older thread, anyone know if the A/B speaker selector switch in the less costly models, ie STR-GX4, GX5, etc., is the same throughout the series? I have the Sony GX10ES and my A/B was messed up when I got it. Some previous owner fixed it so A/B is on all the time, no way to shut the speakers off for headphone use, etc. I'm using a Niles speaker selector with volume control, but would like to buy one of the less expensive models (ideally a parts receiver) and cannibalize the switch and get mine back to where I can use the switch. From the posts from Xtinc and Todd the switches seem similar. The old gentleman who works on my stuff said there was nothing he could do, but clean up the jury-rigged job someone had done to the switch. Also, anyone know the part number?