Help with Kenwood basic c2

M

Markkueh

Active Member
Kind of new to the audio world, picked one of these up recently and unfortunately it power's on but the green output light does not. Also there is no click from the relay switch, but I get full sound from the headphones.
Don't know a lot about repair, would this be just simply replacing the relay switch? Doing a search I found a similar issue where the guy said it may be a small capacitor that is "in line" with the relay switch that is causing the problem. Can anyone identify specifically that capacitor so I can replace it. Unfortunately I do not have a multimeter to test anything. Thanks for any help
 
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I had that preamp once. Mine had a laggy output relay that only switched the outputs when it was damn well good and ready. Had to talk nice to it and really flatter it. Replaced the capacitor near it and it worked consistently great after that. Don't recall what the value of the capacitor was, but it's the biggest electrolytic very close to the relay.
 
You can test the Kenwood Basic C2 out without instrument. Connect a power amplifier with input volume control to the C2 tape recording output. If you get sound fine, it is very likely that the relay and its driver transistors are the culprit. But repairing will take more effort.

You can get the C2 service manual at HiFiEngine. You can easily identify the faulty components by checking the voltages against the service manual. But the trouble shooting and component replacement is not a job for the novice. Get a knowledgeable friend or pay a professional repair shop to do it.

The Kenwood Basic C2 is one of the very good sounding preamp. Even its MC phono stage is very good, which is usually the weakest link in commercial preamp. If the volume and other control pots are in good condition, the C2 is well worth repairing.
 
I have a question I recently purchased a Basic C2 and noticed the balance pot was not working properly so I checked around and read some post on rebuilding the pot or simply soldering jumpers. I think I may have found another solution. I was visiting friends over the weekend and noticed a Kenwod KA-51B sitting on a shelf and it appears it also has a balance pot and it looks the same as the one used in the Basic C2 can anyone confirm that this will work as a suitable replacement?
Thanks in advance
 
Phaceless56 said:
Bump ???? I must be on the ignore list ???
Click to expand...
No it just takes time..
There is the fact that summertime has people on vacation and busy with families and you might have to wait a few days or weeks or God forbid a couple months until cabin fever sets in again from the winter and those in the know will respond with the answers..
 
Phaceless56 said:
Bump ???? I must be on the ignore list ???
Click to expand...
I don't think it's so much that you're being ignored so much as that it's a pretty far stretch that anyone has specific experience trying to do what you suggest.

That KA-51b doesn't appear at face value to have much cachet or vintage audiophile desirability as the C-2. If the balance pots look to be similar size and shape it may just work. If so, I think you would find that the balance pot of the KA-51 may be the same part number and still prone to failure like the one in the C-2. At the very least you should measure both to see if they are the same values for similarly designed circuits.
 
Not easy to find, but here's a nudie of the KA-51B. You can just make out the balance pot in the upper left corner. Doesn't appear to be the same style low profile PCB mount style as found in the C-2. Looks to me like the similarity is in the knob only.

Kenwood_TRIO_KA-51B_02767f.jpg
 
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G'day... @Phaceless56
Q? Did you try to de-oxit it?
Q? Is separation normal in the middle or neutral position? If yes then live with it.. how often does anyone use the bal. pot? If it normal in an adjusted position? leave it there.
 
thats what I thought to do and you are right how often does anyone really use the balance pot the problem is it cuts out the right side so I have to wiggle the balance control to get it to play thru the right side . Its in need of service The Caps are in need of replacing I was looking for a list of caps with values and the brands to use and try it myself I know there is one out there and I will find it I guess i will try the resistor fix on the balance pot
 
I think the problem with the balance pot it seems to be a weak point and fail. Since the pot is in series to the signal path, if it goes open (fails), it will drop a channel.

there are a few posts on how to pull it apart and fix it or remove it and install resistors.

I tried to collect them into a single thread here.

I believe this can be a very nice preamp but it does take some effort. new op amps, caps, diodes, ... all help. And since there is no removal bottom panel, you must remove a lot to get access. Many have done this so nothing new.

I feel the c2 is worth the effort even with the balance pot weakness.
 
Phaceless56 said:
I have to wiggle the balance control to get it to play thru the right side
Click to expand...
hmmm so it's loose? like not bolted in? or the shaft? May just need re-soldering to that pcb in the pic above. replacement shouldn't be an issue maybe a little difficult to find size wise.
 
Its not a solder point the contacts inside the balance pot are not always making contact so the right side sometimes does not come thru
 
You going DIY ?
Pot in the pic looks accessible can deoxit be sprayed in? usually the wiper trace gets built up with crap. I think the option just to bridge it was mentioned.
 
yes I'm going to try it myself I want to try and rebuild the balance pot first if that fails then I will bypass it. I did try the deoxit first, always with any gear I acquire I give it a good cleaning inside and out that include the deoxit bath on all pots and switches. My C2 died last night the green output light stopped turning on so the recap and other mods are now top of my to do list I will start once I order all the parts needed for this project
 
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