How do you balance the L & R outputs on a vintage receiver?

ToTo Man

ToTo Man

NEVER ENOUGH TOTO!
First of all forgive my lack of technical knowledge, - I am in awe of all you guys who can fix your own hifi equipment effortlessly!!! :cry:

The story:
I have a 1970s Marantz SR-6000DC Receiver and it sounds brilliant; nice and crisp and open. I hear nice subtleties in my favorite recordings that I don't hear on other amps, and it's my favourite receiver. :)

The problem:
The receiver is great apart from 1 problem, at low volume levels the sound predominately comes out the right channel. As you turn the volume up it starts to correct itself but it never completely evens out, so what I've done is adjust the balance control so that both channels are even at my most common listening volume. I was wondering if there was a more technical and effective way to fix this???

Cheers,

Richard
 
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Hi Richard,

welcome to AK, nice to have a scotsman here. I like Scotland very much, have been there several times on vacation. Isle of Skye is my favorite.

To your problem: It sounds like a worn out/dirty volume pot and maybe some dirty switches. You should start to clean the pots with deoxit. Do a search here in the forum, you will find many threads about that.

Agger
 
thanks for the advice agger, - i'll see what i can find with the search.

i agree, scotland is a very nice place but 2 things let it down: a) poor weather, b) it doesn't have any vintage hifi or thrift stores (i rely on ebay for that!!!).

i must say i do like germany, - i was in nurnberg 2 years ago on an athletics trip and i loved it, - great food, great weather, & extremely friendly people!.......

richard
 
Welcome to AK Richard.

I agree with agger. First step is to clean the pots and switches.


With regards to Germany, having been there, yes it is a nice place to visit, but, the women are better looking in Scotland :thmbsp:

Joe
 
lived in Kilmun by Danoon, rainy Argylshire for two years....had moss growing on the window trim of my 544 Volvo heh heh. Loved it, love the people. Made a sun worshipper out of me tho.

Reverse your stereo periodically and shift the balance thr other way....deox to center. Chuck.....smashing audio line-up
 
Manitoulin said:
Welcome to AK Richard.

I agree with agger. First step is to clean the pots and switches.


With regards to Germany, having been there, yes it is a nice place to visit, but, the women are better looking in Scotland :thmbsp:

Joe
Click to expand...

can't agree more with your last comment manitoulin!
what makes it better is that i'm at university and surrounded by hundreds of gorgeous girls everyday.....heeheehee :yes:

i'll let you all know how i get on with cleaning the receiver.

ps - for a novice, do you think my stack of gear's pretty good or is it all superficial crap? - i'd appreciate all your honest opinions....but don't make fun of my kenwood speakers (shown in my profile thumbnail) cos i love 'em!!! :smlove:

cheers, richard.
 
AK 47 said:
lived in Kilmun by Danoon, rainy Argylshire for two years....had moss growing on the window trim of my 544 Volvo heh heh. Loved it, love the people. Made a sun worshipper out of me tho.

Reverse your stereo periodically and shift the balance thr other way....deox to center. Chuck.....smashing audio line-up
Click to expand...

forgive my total lack of knowledge, - what do you mean by reverse?

cheers,

richard
 
I think he means turn the balance knob the opposite direction so the deoxit can do the job it should over time after you perform the preliminary task.

> After applying the stuff, twiddle the knob numerous times full scale to allow it to cover all the contact surface and rid the dirt.
Then spray a second time and do it all again.<
 
The symptom you describe sounds like the loudness circuit has a problem. The loudness circuit enhances the bass and highs at low volume levels and its effect is gradually reduced as the volume is increased, till, at full, volume, there should be little to no difference between loundess on or off.

I suspect the loudness switch itself, or the connections between it and the circuit board it is connected to. As a quick check of the switch, switch the loudness control on and off about 20 times, while listening to the amp at low volumes. You may find that the problem acts like it comes and goes. That indicates a bad solder joint or dirty switch. If you hear more bass and highs to 1 channel and not to the other, or, 1 channel is affected while the other channel remains unaffected by the control, you have likely done a lot to locate your problem.

Rich P
 
After a good cleaning of the balance pot with some DeOxit, I use the XLO Test & Burn cd, track 3 (315 Hz. setup and balance tone). Using a mulitmeter, set your scale to either 2V or 20V. I play the track at normal listening volume, testing the speaker leads of the left channel and then the right, adjusting the balance until the readings are as equal as possible.

Perfect balance. :D
 
can't agree more with your last comment manitoulin!
what makes it better is that i'm at university and surrounded by hundreds of gorgeous girls everyday.....heeheehee
Click to expand...

GEE, What am I missing here! 19, at University and surrounded by beautiful woman and here you are cleaning a receiver.
Funny thing about Vintage gear, it will wait! Soon enough, you too will be Vintage and have plenty of time to spend cleaning receivers. LOL

Welcome to AK and you do have some nice stuff at a young age.
Now, get off the computer and go chase the ladies. Who knows, you might find one studying to be a tech and you could let her practice while she cleans your GEAR. :thmbsp:
Gary
 
I agree whith Rich, the problem sound like a loudness but no only in the switch or cold soldering, you must check the central tap in volume pot, the junction metal / carbon in the tap is only by pressure, you must replace the pot or apply a little knock at junction. sorry my little english.
Gerardo
 
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