Jimbo40
Super Member
Make sure it's not your input source, swap left to right and see if the problem switches with it.
Soundcraftsmen EQ slider replacement
Racingh11
Super Member
That's an interesting issue. I'm not sure why it would happen, but there are gain settings for each channel inside. I try to set them so they are exactly the same voltage in and out. It can be done with an average multimeter and sine wave source. But... the adjustment for the LED comparator light balance ends up being a touch off the dial to get them balanced. The last one had to be .995V output at a 1V input for the lights to balance out. It is common. I may take a closer look at that circuit in the future to see what resistor needs to be changed to get the voltage exactly equal and have the LED balance in the middle of the potentiometer range and not the end.
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it's possible that it's just a dirty control(s)
With EQ disabled the stereo image is centered and normal, therefore it's not the source.
I'm hoping that's it. I've cleaned them as well as I can without complete disassembly. But before I go to that extent, I would much rather upgrade with a new slider board from @Racing11.
Racingh11
Super Member
You may also want to recap it. The bipolar caps in the signal path can do the same thing. I've seen it more than once.
It may be a bit before I can fully fit one of those boards, but I'm pretty confident they will work. I have a couple amps to go through first, one being a large custom project. I'm making a Soundcraftsmen RA5002. That model number doesn't exist, but I'm adding the extra transistors and correct changes to make it the heavy duty RA version. It will also get one of my custom input boards, and other upgrades.
It may be a bit before I can fully fit one of those boards, but I'm pretty confident they will work. I have a couple amps to go through first, one being a large custom project. I'm making a Soundcraftsmen RA5002. That model number doesn't exist, but I'm adding the extra transistors and correct changes to make it the heavy duty RA version. It will also get one of my custom input boards, and other upgrades.
I did in fact recap one of my PE2217-Rs that has the same issue, but it didn't help. I realize it doesn't necessarily mean a recap won't fix the SP4002. But for now, I can live with the issue as long it sounds good... which it does. It's just that I would prefer it to work the way it's supposed to work. 
The RA5002 sounds like a very cool project!
The RA5002 sounds like a very cool project!
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
As a Soundcraftsmen owner for nearly 50-years, I can say the only issue I ever sent anything back to Soundcraftsmen over was a channel output imbalance on my original PE2217 (bronze face). Repaired under warranty, SC said they replaced the volume control. Problem was in my subsequent listening and measurements, the repaired unit was "better" but still not perfect. (The original wood case was damaged in their return and replace with a vinyl one from them, for which I have never forgiven SC!)
Since then I skipped a SC generation and replaced it with several different later model SC pre-am-EQ units and the PE2217 has sat on a shelf. That includes some DX4200 which worked perfectly before I replaced them with Pro-Control-Four and Pro-EQ 44 which have been in two systems and remain there today. The imbalance hasn't reared its ugly head since the 2217 era. Here's today's living room system bi-amped for my JBL 4345s. I do have two SC Pro-Power-Fours I could use but I just prefer the Crowns. To their credit, the sliders on the Pro-EQ 44 have always worked with silky smoothness.
Lookin' good!!!
That looks fantastic! Nice job!!!
Racingh11
Super Member
Thank you!
Lookin' good!!!
