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Olson RA-280 repair questions

Mlistens03

Mlistens03

Active Member
I was given a Olson RA-280 when I purchased a Lafayette receiver, and I’ve been told it’s broken, although no details on what it does.
After sitting in the closet for 2 months or so, I’ve pulled it out to see I found I can fix it. AFAIK, this amplifier was a kit produced in the 70s, by some company, I’m not sure which. IIRC, right out of the box they were unreliable, but if they lasted that first 3-4 months, you were most likely good to go for long time.
Accidentally pushed post in the middle of typing, more details to follow in a moment.
Anyways, I don’t know when this one broke. My main question is, what do you guys think the odds are of this damaging my Mission Freedom 770s if I plug them in and simply turn it on? If I hear anything out of the ordinary, it will be switched of very quickly.
Thanks!
Micah
 
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I decided to wing it and hook it up, and when I hit the power switch, it went “thump”. Obviously because there was an on off thump, but that might’ve been the scariest noise I’ve ever heard.;) Anyway, nothing else, so I proceeded to try and play a song From my tablet. Nothing. I tried flipping all the switches, and nothing worked, until I rested my had on the volume knob. I heard the music faintly through one channel, and sporadically through the other.
In other words, I think the only issue with this thing is dirty contacts inside the switches and pots. I’m gonna hit it with some de-oxit tomorrow morning, and see what happens.:)
 
Always check the DC offset at the speaker terminals of an unknown amp. It would suck to send 40-70 VDC (whatever the rail voltage is) to your speakers. You would not be able to turn it off fast enough before your speakers were toast!
 
redk9258 said:
Always check the DC offset at the speaker terminals of an unknown amp. It would suck to send 40-70 VDC (whatever the rail voltage is) to your speakers. You would not be able to turn it off fast enough before your speakers were toast!
Click to expand...
Good idea! This is something I’ll remember to do in the future.
I used to have a pair of JBL J50’s for testing amps like this, but they died to the hand of a cheap Sony AVR which I cranked the volume on a bit to much. Something was wrong with it though, cause it didn’t even get to 90 DB.
Thanks!:)
 
Anyone have opinions on this piece? I can’t find info on it. I haven’t found specs yet, if someone has those also that’d be great.
Thanks! Micah
 
Mlistens03 said:
This looks very similar to mine.
I couldn't even find any pictures of it yesterday. I'll upload the first ones later today. :thumbsup::)
Click to expand...

I plan on recapping the 195 someday. It does sound very good, and the tuner pulls in stations fairly well. I like the black of the faceplate against the wood case, as well as the unique design/color scheme on the tuning dial. I wish there were more pictures of the Olson equipment on the internet.....
 
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