Please help me stop breaking my nice things

[jrtrent]

nope just waiting for the first person that disagrees with this statement

"Audio equipment sonic quality has not improved much in the last thirty years."

ive seen this go round and round a zillion times. and for the record its comments like that fueling the battle

I've missed it that first zillion times, but maybe someone will start a new thread. It would certainly be easy to argue either side--it's not that audio equipment hasn't improved at all, just that it hasn't improved "much." It would be interesting to see how different people define "much."

The original post has me a bit confused in that he states that one outlet is the problem, but reading through it a few times, I still get the impression that there are three outlets involved. In any event, I know that if I suspected a wiring problem, I'd call in an electrician to check things out. If the outlets turn out to be okay, I'd buy some fresh speaker wire so I don't have to twist together multiple bits to have a long enough run. I'd likely also buy new speakers that at least have a brand name and known specifications. Failing that, maybe after replacing the fuse in the HK I'd just use headphones for a while. If that's fine but the unit fails when plugging in the speakers, that might tell me something.

 

[moewillis]

I've missed it that first zillion times, but maybe someone will start a new thread. It would certainly be easy to argue either side--it's not that audio equipment hasn't improved at all, just that it hasn't improved "much." It would be interesting to see how different people define "much."

dear god no. the last thing we need is yet another thread of "which is better vintage or new?"

why dont you start one and see where it goes...

almost worse than a speaker wire thread

 

[jrtrent]

dear god no. the last thing we need is yet another thread of "which is better vintage or new?"

O.K., I'll skip it, though I hadn't even been thinking in terms of vintage vs. new, since that introduces the additional thorny issue of comparing brand new items with old gear that is possibly worn out and no longer working to factory specifications. I was thinking more along the lines of what could I have bought and enjoyed thirty years ago and how would that compare sonically to what I can buy today, possibly using inflation-adjusted cost figures. But that's well off topic here, so sorry for the diversion.

 

[sqlsavior]

It seems to me that the original poster NEEDS to determine if his AC power and house wiring is up to spec. Voltmeters good enough to do that are cheap these days. I would first spend the effort to confirm or rule-out the OP's suspicion - that an outlet or its power is bad somehow.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Get rid of that patched-together speaker wire, too. Lamp cord is cheap as hell, just go buy as much as you need.

 

[whoaru99]

^^^
Yeah. It not unusual to be able to buy a 16ga extension cord and cut it into two pieces for less cost than it is to buy same length of 16ga bulk wire.

 

[Kingshead]

Outlets are usually wired in a way that a loose wire at one will affect every outlet in the line after it. I don't like it, I don't do it, but it's to code and faster so it is what it is.

That said, a loose neutral (grounded conductor, usually white) will cause an amplifier to draw more current (amperage) to make up for the loss in voltage causing an increase in temperature and eventual failure. The symptoms described by the OP lead me to believe this is the case.

If not an electrician, call one. If you are then remove each receptacle in the line and check for loose connections all the way back to the electric panel, check those too. While in there perform a panel service and check all of the connections, it's not uncommon to find a few needing a bit of a tweak.

Martin

As old as your house is I would recommend having an electrician replace all of the devices, and while doing so check all of the splices in the boxes. Loose connections are the cause of virtually all electrical fires. And by devices I mean switches and receptacles.

 

[sqlsavior]

Outlets are usually wired in a way that a loose wire at one will affect every outlet in the line after it. I don't like it, I don't do it, but it's to code and faster so it is what it is.
...
Loose connections are the cause of virtually all electrical fires.

I did not know that, and it is a scary thought. Makes me think that a voltmeter won't be enough.

If not an electrician, call one.

^^^^

 

[whoaru99]

Yeah, that's why earlier was suggested to load the circuit. With no load other than a high impedance multimeter, connection by a hair size wire or poor contact can show normal voltage.

Put a real load on, however, and watch the voltage sag/drop.

 

[musichal]

For all of those that feel this kind of failure of vintage gear is to be expected, I disagree. Not that it is perfect, and without problems, or needed repairs, for sure. My whole system is vintage, and if I couldn't buy old quality used stuff, my system would not sound as good as it does. Audio equipment sonic quality has not improved much in the last thirty years.
The Op will likely find, a bad speaker wire (just replace them) or shorted or low resistance speakers (get a Tek 10709 meter from Walmart for $14 and learn how to use it without burning the house down) or your power outlet, power strip, or house wiring is at fault. (plug a toaster or electric heater into the strip and turn it on and read the voltage at the strip with your new meter.) IF YOU LEAVE THIS PLUGGED IN FOR MORE THAN 2 MINUTES WHEN READING LOW VOLTAGE WHAT EVER CONNECTION THAT IS BAD WILL GET HOT AND SHOW YOU THE WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. IF YOU LEAVE IT ON FOR 10 MINUTES GET A FIRE EXTINGISHER! From what is described by OP, my bet is on speaker, or connection to them. Good Luck!

I have some vintage pieces that sound great, too. My statement about par for the course was pointed toward the fact that some people will knowingly unload their service problems on a buyer who does not exercise as much caution as possible. There may be a problem with his house wiring, seems he needs to replace speaker wire, or maybe he's bought equipment that already had issues. Any of those scenarios is possible; in fact, all could be. I suggest he hire an electrician for checking his home AC; he doesn't appear to be handy with that - no slur, most aren't.

 

[nj pheonix]

 

[willyrover]

Just needs to stick a meter in the outlet and report back.

I have a feeling we'll never know.

 

[stonedeaf]

Weird thought -from his physical description of his speakers - is it possible he has a pair of PA sound columns - possibly with a 70volt transformer in each one ? And he is hooking up to the higher voltage 70V side of this transformer ? One way or another - a cheap meter seems like a pretty good investment about now ?

 

[Dazaa]

Weird thought -from his physical description of his speakers - is it possible he has a pair of PA sound columns - possibly with a 70volt transformer in each one ? And he is hooking up to the higher voltage 70V side of this transformer ? One way or another - a cheap meter seems like a pretty good investment about now ?

Agreed, i've owned 200+ components almost all have come from recycling and I can tell you that 5 receivers don't suddenly just die of old age. It's most certainly a problem with how they are being used.