Hi, I've got a Lafayette LA 2020A that I bought when I was in high school in the 70's. I'm 63 now and it's been sitting on a shelf unused for most of the last 30 years. A while back I decided to see if it would work and added a bluetooth add on to the aux. It seemed to work pretty well for most of a year till recently it started randomly cutting out or lowering volume. I know the knobs balance and base and treble had some issues and didn't work great without cutting in and out and making static when adjusting them so I'd just leave them alone. For the last couple months I haven't been able to get anything out of it. It's lit and just occasionally makes a noise since I've left it turned on. I just unplugged it to move it to another location and now it doesn't power up. If I use a current detector I can see I'm getting power to it and seemingly all around the inside but still nothing happens when turning the power knob and and through the different channels. No lights either. Under normal circumstances I'd just toss it but it does have some sentimental value to me and I'd like to be able to use it. Any advice as to what would make it not work all of the sudden. Sorry to ramble on. Any input is appreciated.
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Lafayette LA 2020A question.
- Thread starter Rbboom
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First, I checked my old Lafayette catalogs and there never was an LA-2020A. The "LA" prefix would be for an integrated amplifier, a receiver would start with "LR". There was an LR-2020A stereo receiver which was rated at 20wpc rms ($249.99 retail) so I'll assume that's the unit you own. Overall, not much to go on here symptom-wise. Could be shorted cap(s), bad transistors, bad solder joint(s), etc., you name it! Do make sure you don't have the tape monitor switch activated as that will silence the unit if you aren't trying to play a tape recorder connected to it. You could try cleaning/lubricating the controls (volume, balance, selector switch, etc.), with Caig Faderlube but ultimately, I would recommend you take it to a hifi repair shop. If you want recommendations for who to take to, we'd need to know where you live. This receiver is now over 50 years old so be prepared to spend a couple hundred dollars for a partial rebuild. The LR-2020A was a nice mid-range receiver in the Lafayette line-up so I can understand your desire to use it again! Good luck!
peteCWA
Active Member
You said: "If I use a current detector I can see I'm getting power to it and seemingly all around the inside but still nothing happens when turning the power knob and and through the different channels. No lights either."
In red phrase above, what do you mean? Have you physically checked various voltages inside the receiver especially around the power supply?
What are your trouble shooting skills? If they're minimal or non existent, find someone to repair the receiver.
This receiver use the "ALPS" AC power switch which is notorious for failing. It's also been discontinued by the manufacturer.
Here is a LR-2020A thread back in 2022. You might find some useful information in it:
Lafayette LR=2020A
Hey guys, I.m new to this forum and I service vintage stereo receivers, and i was wondering if anyone here would happen to have a service manual for a LR-2020A ? just the schematic of the amplifier circuit would be very helpful.
audiokarma.org
When doing service work for Lafayette, don't recall having many of these receivers coming in for repair BUT, after 45 to 50 years of age, parts go bad and things need to be fixed.
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audiotemp
Super Member
When I read that I thought OP meant that the unit was drawing AC current as seen using e.g. a kill-a-watt meter. But then I couldn't make sense of the "seemingly all around the inside" remark.
Setting aside the "around the inside" remark, it sounded to me like maybe an (old and tired) main fuse blew when power was re-connected.
But agreed, OP's remarks were unclear.
And as often happens, no further comments by the OP who is a new AK poster. ?
audiotemp
Super Member
Last seen yesterday AM. As a new member, possibly not yet constantly checking for new posts here?
I appreciate the replies. Sorry not to get back sooner. I've had a recent new health issue that took me away for a bit. My troubleshooting skills aren't great at all. When I said I used a voltage detector 'around the inside' I mean just the detector that senses voltage to check a outlet etc. Not a meter. I realize it's the wrong tool for the job. It's what I had when it quit working and was just checking to see if there seemed to be power making it inside the tuner. I looked for a fuse and the only ones I saw were on the back and both looked good. Again, didn't mean to ask and then disappear.
audiotemp
Super Member
There are usually multiple fuses. One at the AC input, ones at the DC supply outputs, ones on the speaker outputs---it varies which are present. Also, you can't always tell whether a fuse is good by looking at it. You have to check whether there is correct voltage is present on the downstream side of the fuse, although if the lamps light up you know the AC fuse is OK.
peteCWA
Active Member
On the back of the LR-2020A, the two accessible fuses on the back are the speaker fuses for each channel. The AC line is mounted internally on the power supply board.
If you're not handy with internal electronic trouble shooting, I wouldn't screw with it. Find someone who can diagnosis the problem and provide a solution.
If you're not handy with internal electronic trouble shooting, I wouldn't screw with it. Find someone who can diagnosis the problem and provide a solution.