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Realistic STA-2100 popping sound on the left channel

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Carbon653

New Member
Hi AK users!
I'm new here, but I wanted to ask a question, because I can't figure it out. I got my hands on a Realistic STA-2100 receiver recently, and I'm really pleased with how it sounds. My only problem is, when I turn it up, between 10 and 100 watts it starts making a really annoying popping-scratching noise in the left channel (mostly when bass hits in). Right channel remains clear, and when I lower the volume a little bit, the strange noise goes away.

It's not a problem with my speakers, I'm using Cerwin Vega VS-12s, that I had for 2 years now, and never had any problem with them, even with higher wattage amps.

Has anyone experienced this or something similar? Why could it happen?
 
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Welcome to A.k;
I'll bump the thread up... Do you have any electronics repair experience? Is there any repair history you are aware of or can find out from the seller?
 
I don't have much experience, I know how to spray contact cleaner in the pots, and I replaced belts in a cassette deck in the past. The seller said that it has been cleaned, adjusted, and the power supply filter caps (I don't know how it's called, I mean the biggest caps) have been replaced one year ago, but he wasn't the one working on it.
 
I expect a cracked solder joint on one of the transistors. Had a similar problem before and a tech here suggested that was the problem and, sure enough, it was!. The heat cycles thru the years, make that happen.
 
Carbon653 said:
Hi AK users!
I'm new here, but I wanted to ask a question, because I can't figure it out. I got my hands on a Realistic STA-2100 receiver recently, and I'm really pleased with how it sounds. My only problem is, when I turn it up, between 10 and 100 watts it starts making a really annoying popping-scratching noise in the left channel (mostly when bass hits in). Right channel remains clear, and when I lower the volume a little bit, the strange noise goes away.

It's not a problem with my speakers, I'm using Cerwin Vega VS-12s, that I had for 2 years now, and never had any problem with them, even with higher wattage amps.

Has anyone experienced this or something similar? Why could it happen?
Click to expand...
It could be several things. But the switches would be the first thing to clean, especially the TAPE1 switch. The speaker relay points could be burned too. The power supply caps on a board underneath get cooked pretty good too and cause issues. And from thermal cycling through the years, solder joints will crack. If cleaning the switches don't do anything, it would be best to find a GOOD tech near you to resolve it. These can be a pain to work on so it takes someone with experience and is familiar with these.
 
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