Preamp Squeal

[neddyboy]

I'm going to apologize in advance -- I'm not so much a newbie as someone who has limited knowledge. I work on my own stuff for fun and because I can't afford to pay someone else to do it.

I have a much-modified Counterpoint SA-3.1 preamp that I bought in non-functioning condition for $50. I've replaced the blown power transformer and some burned up diodes and resistors in the power supply, reflowed a bunch of suspicious solders, and replaced the blown regulator transistor.

It now powers up (a major victory), but I get a nasty oscillation. It sounds like an old analog synth oscillator, and as I increase the volume I can change the sound from a continuous tone down to slow clicks at max volume. It passes some signal under all the squealing but it's very low volume and distorted. I did replace the original volume pot with an Alps unit -- could an incompetent wiring job there be the culprit?

All the big electrolytics seem to be good. I'm going to be checking grounds today. There are also six big 3 mf 200v film caps on the board that I'm not sure how to test. If they were electrolytics I'd normally just replace them and see if the problem went away, but these look really expensive!

Can you guys suggest some other areas to look into?

[Brit01]

There are also six big 3 mf 200v film caps on the board that I'm not sure how to test. If they were electrolytics I'd normally just replace them and see if the problem went away, but these look really expensive!

They don't need to be expensive. Some Wima caps will do.

Have you got grid stop resistors on all tubes?

Circuit diagram?

[neddyboy]

Grid stop resistors? I can find components on a schematic, but I still don't know terms. I'm attaching the schematic. Can you tell me which ar the grid stop resistors? Are they the ones between the grid and ground?

FYI since I posted the original, I've double checked the grounds and they seem good, nice star grounding. I reflowed some more dry looking solders etc.

I'm going to buy a few 3 mfd film caps shortly and see if that makes a difference.

[Frank Berry]

I'll bet that your problem is bad electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. I'd replace them all. The oscillation that you're hearing is probably caused by capacitors with very high series resistance.

[costis_n]

Hmmm, nice, only the last valve seems to have a grid stop (R18).

[DF96]

It may help to ask yourself why the power supply blew. Did it just give up, or did something else take far too much current? Either is possible.

Did your resoldering bridge two separate points together, or separate things which should be joined? Redoing lots of joints is as likely to introduce faults as clear them, as is changing lots of components. Adding a bit of solder to a suspect joint can actually create a dry joint - you should remove the solder, clean and start again.

Is the fault on all inputs, or just phono? Is it on main output or tape out, or both?

How do you know that the big electrolytics are good? What tests have you done?

[neddyboy]

Originally Posted by DF96

It may help to ask yourself why the power supply blew. Did it just give up, or did something else take far too much current? Either is possible.

Is the fault on all inputs, or just phono? Is it on main output or tape out, or both?

How do you know that the big electrolytics are good? What tests have you done?

In answer to your first question, I'm not sure. I brought it to a tube repair guy to install the new power transformer for that very reason. I didn't want to kill the new trans. I had already replaced some violently destroyed components before he put the new trans in, so I can't be sure what caused the failure. I replaced a few melted resistors, the Q1 transistor, and a row of melted diodes. Whether these were causes or effects I'm not sure. The tech said he thought the trans just wore out.

The fault is on all inputs and appears on the main out, not the tape or input outs. One new symptom I just discovered: if I get it oscillating, the pitch is the same on all input settings except phono. The pitch rises when I switch to phono. Not sure what that means, but I'm going to focus on the RIAA section next.

The only reason I think the electrolytics are good is that the tech checked them. I think he said he bridged good caps across the 'lytics and they were all good.

[Mr. Zenith]

Neddyboy,

If your "tech" simply bridged new caps across the existing electrolytics as a permanent repair, then I strongly suggest that you find a new tech!

I'm not trying to sound like a know-it-all, but bridging good caps across potentially bad ones is - besides being dangerous - just plain lazy and stupid. If the original caps are indeed bad (i.e. shorted), then they're nothing more than low-value bleeder resistors, and that's what probably cooked the original transformer (it's my guess that it didn't just "wear out"). Bridging them with good caps changes nothing except the capacitance; they're still in the circuit. And guess what they're doing? You guessed it, drawing a ridiculous amount of current and frying your new power transformer!

Whenever I restore an old radio set or an old amp, the electrolytic caps get replaced. Period.

And just how do I know all this, you might ask? Well, let's just say I now hesitate to use the term "fire 'er up" in the context of tube gear...

[llwhtt]

If both channels are making this sound and since the power supply is common to both the power supply is probably the culprit. Replace all of the electrolytics. This is an early/mid 80s preamp, time for the lytics to go. Also find a new tech while you are at it. Anyone have an opinion as to the sound of this preamp? I've never heard one.

Craig

[neddyboy]

Already there Mr. Zenith. This repair guy has always done a good job on my guitar amps, but this is the first and last time I brought him a nice stereo piece. I think it was too much for him.

He definitely didn't permanently bridge new caps over the old ones. They're the same as when I sent it. Each big electrolytic does have two film caps running parallel though -- this must have been a mod because they're not on the schematic.

And yeah, I do the same with every amp I work on. Replace all the filter caps for sure, probably all the electrolytics. I didn't on this one because it seemed too new and they're all expensive Sprague Atoms. Wishful thinking I guess.