Crackling speakers on older integrated amplifier

[Raduque]

Hey folks, I got my old Sony TA-AV521 out of storage and paired it with my Akai tower speakers and I got some weirdness coming out of my speakers.

At low volumes/sound levels, one of the channels will start crackling and then just drop out. If I turn up the volume or fiddle with the speaker selection knob (it's an A/B/A+B/off rotary switch) the channel comes back.

It's not a permanent solution, because eventually it will start crackling and drop out again. It's also not the speakers, because it does it on any set on both the A or B selections. I haven't tried the rear or center outputs yet, but I have tried the various inputs, and they all exhibit the same issue.

I'm guessing I have to clean the switches and pots, but I don't know the first thing. Anybody give me some tips?

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

A possible quick fix - Turn the amp off and quickly crank the volume knob back and forth from low to high about 50 times or more. Do the same thing for the selector switch, switching it back and forth through the selection detentes.

Old switches tend to get corroded and gunked up. Quickly switching them through their positions will clean the contacts. If that method fails you will probably need to replace the pots or switches.

 

[Raduque]

Old switches tend to get corroded and gunked up. Quickly switching them through their positions will clean the contacts. If that method fails you will probably need to replace the pots or switches.

Well, hell, I guess they need replaced then. Thanks.

 

[NutBucket]

http://www.deoxit.com/

You need this stuff. Its magic elixir for potentiometers and switches. Replacement switches and pots can be very hard to come by for older electronics. Usually you have to salvage them from non-working units and there's no guarantee they'll be any better.

 

[NutBucket]

DP...

 

[Number1]

http://www.deoxit.com/

You need this stuff. Its magic elixir for potentiometers and switches. Replacement switches and pots can be very hard to come by for older electronics. Usually you have to salvage them from non-working units and there's no guarantee they'll be any better.

Yes sir, contact cleaner will solve his problem. He might need to use it every so often but it's well worth the effort.
So OP, take the cover off and apply generously to the offending pots and switches.

 

[NutBucket]

Not just cleaner but also a lubricant/protectant. Its awesome stuff.

 

[Raduque]

So for the deoxit, I just spray the switch or pot, work the action on it a little, and let it dry?

 

[NutBucket]

Spray it, let it sit for a minute, exercise the pot/switch and spray again to flush and gunk that came off and leave some lubricant.