Rotel Ra 1412

[regie500]

Hello everybody,

I couldn't resist to buy this weekend a Rotel RA 1412 amplifier and a matching Rotel RT 1024 Tuner. I hooked the equipment up to my pair of Altec - Speakers and this amp really rocks.

Anyhow, I have to take of the faceplate to clean some scratcing switches.

Now my problem:

The balance knob is located right under the volume knob, and I can't take it off without applying force. The volume knob can be easily taken away by losening a screw, but the balance knob, which is below it on the same axis sits totally tight, and there are no screws or whatsoever to loosen it. I am hesitiating to pull it of with force, since I don't know if I'm going to damage the control units inside.

Does anybody know how to take of this knob ?

Does anybody have a sevice manual for this rather rare amp ?

Did anybody already take the faceplate of an Rotel RA - 1412 or an RA - 1312 (the similar unit with less power) ?

Since I don't want to ruin my newly bought amp I would greatly apreciate any help. Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[hifi_nut]

Hi Regie,
Unfortunately I cannot help you with your problem, but I´d like to welcome you to AK anyway.
Hopefully some of the gurus here, like Echowars and Dr*Audio and some others will chime in to help you.
Jorge

 

[agger]

Sorry, but I don't know this amp. But maybe its the same as on the old yamahas. Take off the cover. Look from the top or the side to the axis of the pot behind the faceplate. Do you see a black hole? then you need a allen wrench (1.5mm?) to loosen the balance knob. Good luck!

 

[SoCal Sam]

Welcome aboard. Great selection of Rotels. I have the RT-1024, RA-1312, and RA-1412. The tuner and the 1312 look especially good stacked together because they are the same size whereas the 1412 is bigger.

As for the faceplate, I am not sure why you would want to remove it if you are just cleaning the switches and pots. It is best to clean them from the inside where you can easily get at the contact rotors for the knobs and lever boxes. Spray with zero residue contact cleaner, work the knob or lever 20 times, test, and then repeat as necessary. Pay particular attention to the speaker selection buttons as this was the cause of one of my channels on my 1312 cutting out. It cleared up after a good bath. Be sure you clean all pots and switches.

I have never had to remove the face of my Rotels. However, if you ever have cause to remove the balance bezel, I would recommend gently heating it with a hair dryer. Do not overheat! I do this for sticky knobs and it usually works great.

 

[regie500]

Thanks for your answer, but I have to remove the faceplate, because the channel selector switch (reverse, stereo, left, right, L+R) is not working either. Regardless of the position of the switch, the amp is alwas running in normal stereo mode. Also the switches are hidden in the faceplate, and can be reached only if the plate is disassembled.

Thanks for your help.

 

[onepixel]

I've had problems with various equipment taking knobs off. What I do first is make absolutely sure there is no screw or anything else holding it onto the shaft. If there is any way of getting behind the knob spray some WD-40 in there. If you can't use a syringe. Or flat thin piece of metal, put some WD-40 on it and let it slide down and let it sit for a while.

Here is the scary part. I use a blunt knife thin enough to fit behind the knob. Any kind of solid but soft pad, like felt. I put the knife blade tip on the felt pad, the knife under the nob. And gently lift up. Make sure you keep an eye on the tip and especially underneath where it touches the knob. When it starts to come off, you can pull the rest off by hand.

I've used this technique a number of times without causing any damage. Just be careful.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Regie: The channel selector cannot be cleaned from the outside because of the inner mounting plate that is behind the face plate. The best way to access the contact rotor for this knob is by removing the bottom plate.

Try cleaning the switches from the inside first. Removing the face is not necessary to clean the switches.

Let me know your progress. Sam.

 

[SoCal Sam]

"Regardless of the position of the switch, the amp is alwas running in normal stereo mode."

When my 1312 arrived, it had dead right channel. After cleaning all of the switches from the inside, it works perfectly. Cleaning the switches from the inside is always the first thing to do and can clear up all sorts of audio problems.

Regie: After cleaning, try following test before concluding mode switch is the problem. First, make sure you have source material that has good stereo separation, for example, a CD you know very well. From the source (CD player), disconnect either left or right RCA so that you have one channel working. By selecting reverse and stereo, you should be able to switch audio between left and right speakers. Also, the L, R, and L+R switch position should work as indicated. While doing this, look at the meters. The reading should confirm your action.

Sam.

 

[dr*audio]

I have this amp/ As I recall, there is no set screw holding the balance knob on. I just checked, I can't see any. Just in case, look on the area around the shaft, some manufacturers do use a set scre there. I don't want to take my volume knob off to look. If there is no set screw, just remove all the other knobs and remove the screws for the face plate. now gently pull out on the face plate. The balance knob should come off with it. A word of caution!!!! This amp is really heavy and hard to move around. Whatever you do, do not put your hands under the front to try to move it (with the bottom panel off)! The tone controls are wafer switches and it is easy to get your fingers underneath and break the wafers! I know, I did it on mine. Took me a few hours of surgery to repair the wafers.

 

[regie500]

Thaks for your help and your suggestions so far.

Dr. Audio, would you mind to take your volume knob of ? It's just one screw inside of it. Then you can see my problem, the balance bazel, and you can see how it's attached. I just have to know if it's originally to be simply pulled of. Thanks for the reminder of caution with the wafers, that sounds scary to me and my amp.

I just have to know how to get the knob off.....with caution of course.

Best regards to all, yours sincerly Regie500

 

[MatthewK]

Teaspoons method - get two teaspoons with smooth bowls and thin edges. Slip the tips of the spoons under each side of the knob, rounded surfaces touching the faceplate, and gently push the handles toward the faceplate. You get lever action, even pressure applied to both sides of the knob, and no marks on the face.