Marantz 170DC static noise (both channels)

Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.
Hello

I have a Marantz 170DC that has a static crackly noise in both channels (this is not effected when the gain is increased or if I have RCA input )I have replaced all electrolytic capacitors and re-soldered a few suspect joints but I still get this noise could anyone please help ? :)
 
Administrator
Joined 2007
Paid Member
Not familiar with the amp (do you have a circuit ?) but other than dry joints I would perhaps suspect something like a transistor common to both channels... regulator maybe, or a component in a regulator.

Any that run normally hot might be favorites.

Can you alter the fault by tapping the PCB etc. Does it only appear when hot ?
 
there is absolutelly no chance that inside this machines exists even one propely working electrolytic ....

the spscific model uses dual costum made capacitors that fail l get leacky or all shorts of corosion down under ...

now even if the big caps are still working up to some point there is going to be a million other small problems like bad soldering, and small electrolytics in the protection area, amplifier boards, secondary psu, and vu meter board

this is an amplifier worth fixing and really deserves to be fixed ...

yet again this is not an easy job to do it is time consuming but at least it will not cost a fortune ...

if you can follow procedure ....here is some instruction http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/136261-vintage-amplifier-repair-upgrade-manual.html
 
Administrator
Joined 2007
Paid Member
Hi Paul,
I've had a really good look at the circuit and can't really see anything that's common... apart from the obvious of course.

Be absolutely sure that with RCA inputs disconnected and the gain turned down that the noise is present on both channels... I know you said it was... 100% sure yes :)
Make sure you have just the amp and speakers connected.

If so that only really leaves the PSU as a common item.
Don't discount the obvious... is the mains plug/fuse/wires OK... not loose. Same for the internal fuse in the amp. Also the mains switch. Voltage selector intermitent ?

Does it respond to physical movement ? Tapping the PCB etc.
 
oppps ....for some reason it seems that i missed the point that said all electrolytics are replaced

ok then that is very good ....the paricular amplifier features a small plastic conector for the input RCA if you for any reason replaced those are the new onew isolated froma the box ???

then gain did you add or remove or replacced any grounds ??? cause this may as well be ground loop

regards sakis
 
Hi Paul,
I've had a really good look at the circuit and can't really see anything that's common... apart from the obvious of course.

Be absolutely sure that with RCA inputs disconnected and the gain turned down that the noise is present on both channels... I know you said it was... 100% sure yes :)
Make sure you have just the amp and speakers connected.

If so that only really leaves the PSU as a common item.
Don't discount the obvious... is the mains plug/fuse/wires OK... not loose. Same for the internal fuse in the amp. Also the mains switch. Voltage selector intermitent ?

Does it respond to physical movement ? Tapping the PCB etc.

Hello Mooly

I have put in shorting plugs in the RCA inputs and it is now coming from the right channel only .
 
Administrator
Joined 2007
Paid Member
This could be hard to fix quickly.

Is the noise very loud ?

If you measure the DC voltage at the speaker output (the offset voltage) does it seem to alter randomly a little ?

Is the offset normal, ie zero volts. Might be worth giving the offset adjust pot a good turn and seeing if it's gone "noisy". Reset it afterward for zero DC volts at the output.

Does it respond at all to "tapping" the PCB ?

If it's a component, then favourites would be any small disc ceramic type caps or old "suflex" caps (like polystyrene ones). It's unlikely to be a small resistor etc.
It could be a semiconductor, but that wouldn't be a first choice though for this fault perhaps. Semiconductors if faulty often respond to freezer spray... don't blast the parts, just "drip" a little on to the device. Should have no effect on a good part.

See how you get on with that for starters... good luck :)
 
Hello Mooly

The noise is not very loud it is a quiet CB radio static type sound audible from the listening position it is there even when the volume gain is down and there is no input .

Yes the DC will not stay at zero and does alter randomly a little especially in the right channel , and it does seem to respond to tapping of the PCB tough I am not 100% on this .

I have tried adjusting the DC through the adjuster pots but as you mentioned the DC alters randomly I have also cleaned it with contact cleaner .

Thanks Mooly :)
 
Administrator
Joined 2007
Paid Member
I suspected as much. As you'll realise the amp operates "as a whole" due to feedback... it can't be split for faultfinding as such.

If it seems as though tapping has an effect, use a pen or something plastic and gently tap all the caps and semiconductors etc see if you can narrow it down a bit.

Also check on DC volts that the voltage across the two 32 volt zeners D718/9 is totally stable.

There are two diodes Q724 and 725. If you remove those that isolates the overcurrent protection... unlikely but easy to try.

Those caps in the pf range... film caps in the parts list and the odd ceramic. If you have any of approx those kind of values, isolate each in turn and solder something near the correct value in their place. Running with some disconnected might result in it going unstable, but anything round about the correct value will do to prove if faulty or not.
You must isolate them, not just bridge them.

Any small diodes... measure across them on DC volts... reading should be steady at around 600 to 700 millivolts across most. Do any alter slightly...

Suflex caps,
Google Image Result for http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~akym/Guitars/etc/CapSuflex.JPG

I wouldn't start swapping semiconductors with the good channel with the exception of that dual FET. That might be worth a shot.

If none of this proves anything, then I would replace all the small signal diodes.

Any areas of the board that run hot, say around driver transistors, VAS etc. They might be the next to investigate.
 
Marantz 170DC

The problem turned out to be Q702, Q703, Q704 transistors it seems they were getting old and tired .

Though now it seems I have to adjust the bias as it sounds veiled in lacks clarity and detail , does any one know what the Mv setting for the bias on a Marantz 170DC is .

Is it possible to raise the bias without over heating the amp to increase sound quality and if so what is a sensible setting .
 
Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.