Troubleshooting Kenwood C2 and M2

[M.O. Deloofs]

Fellow Kenwood aficionados,

I have read several threads on this topic however I am relatively new to stereo troubleshooting and the volume of information is kind of overwhelming and I wasn't necessarily finding my exact scenario in these older threads.

I recently acquired a C2 preamp and M2 power amp. I cleaned up the exterior of the units and plugged them into some small speakers to test for functionality. All buttons and switches seem to work however I barely got any sound out of my test speakers even with all volume controls turned all the way up. The balance pot is scratchy and poppy when I turn it. The power meters on the M2 did not register at all though the displays do light up.

I am aware of the balance pot issues with the C2. I am planning to test the M2 with the preamp out on my SS-97 surround processor. After that I will take them apart and Deoxit all the pots and switches that I can reach. I am also aware of DRM Audio and have read through their catalog and identified the balance pot kit.

Can anyone recommend anything else I should check?

 

[rickl]

maybe post a pic of your C2. these are pretty simple. tape set to source, mute off (green output led lit), ... here is my dusty c2.

 

[M.O. Deloofs]

Here's the stack with M2 and SS-79 surround processor. I had the tape set to source and output on with green light on.

 

[rickl]

can you bypass the SS-79 to remove that from the issue? did you narrow the issue down to the preamp? i've used RCA's to 1/8" plug cable and a portable music source (cell phone, ipod, laptop, ...) to control the amp. turn down the gain pots on the M2 before you press play.

that M2 is nice. I currently swapped one in my main system.

 

[M.O. Deloofs]

can you bypass the SS-79 to remove that from the issue?

The SS-79 isn't connected to anything, it's just sitting between them. I have not narrowed the problem to the C2 but I will try to feed the M2 from the preamp out of my SS-97 surround processor, hopefully this weekend. If the M2 works with SS-97 preamp I'll know I've got an issue with the C2.

 

[M.O. Deloofs]

*the SS-79 and SS-97 are two different surround processors.

 

[M.O. Deloofs]

Okay I ran the SS-79 direct into the M2 with the preamp out and it got good volume so that verifies that the M2 is in working condition. The SS-79 isn't a standalone amplifier and only has surround modes so I can't really test for the sound quality of the M2 but I can tell it's working.

That indicates that the problem is with the C2.