Recently picked up a second hand Sony TA-E80ES preamp in nice and neat condition, still playing perfectly.
Although I noticed a grinding GRRR sound coming from the motorized ALPS volume pot, when raising the volume via the remote control.
When the volume is lowered via the remote, the motorized volume pot is dead silent and turns smoothly without any stottering.
Only volume up causes a slight but audible GRrrRrrrRRrrrrRrrr grinding sound. Asif this mechanical part needs some care.
No wonder, after thirty something years! I wonder:
1. Whats causing this?
2. Do you owners of E80ES preamp have this too, on Volume Up?
3. How to make the volume up as smooth and silent as the volume down? Thanks!
Although I noticed a grinding GRRR sound coming from the motorized ALPS volume pot, when raising the volume via the remote control.
When the volume is lowered via the remote, the motorized volume pot is dead silent and turns smoothly without any stottering.
Only volume up causes a slight but audible GRrrRrrrRRrrrrRrrr grinding sound. Asif this mechanical part needs some care.
No wonder, after thirty something years! I wonder:
1. Whats causing this?
2. Do you owners of E80ES preamp have this too, on Volume Up?
3. How to make the volume up as smooth and silent as the volume down? Thanks!
Two things to check:
1. Make sure the LED cable is not in the way of the rotating knob. The cable needs to glide freely (and must have an unstrained slack) inside the slot... have a look inside the pre-amp and it will be clear... what I mean.
2. The gearbox / reductor is slipping. Replace it (you can actually replace just the gearbox assembly).... or, get a better motorised pot (TKD 2CP-2511... maybe...?)
1. Make sure the LED cable is not in the way of the rotating knob. The cable needs to glide freely (and must have an unstrained slack) inside the slot... have a look inside the pre-amp and it will be clear... what I mean.
2. The gearbox / reductor is slipping. Replace it (you can actually replace just the gearbox assembly).... or, get a better motorised pot (TKD 2CP-2511... maybe...?)
Thanks for your insightful reply and suggestions Extreme_Boky!
In the coming holidays I will open up the black box and inspect inside.
What do you mean sir by "a better motorised pot"
Do you mean that the motor/gearbox-assembly-part can be improved?
Or do you mean the ALPS(??) audio volume-pot-part could be improved?
I do not hear any cracking sound when raising or lowering the volume through the audio channel.
The mechanical grinding sound coming ouf of the unit itself makes me wonder weather this is a normal sound and that all E80ES have this, or that its just mine making this noise on volume Up.
On a side note, regarding the remote control, I found out a high quality remote that could learn, remember and reproducte the infrared codes given out by the original remote, effectively replacing the original remote with much improved ergonomics!
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-controls-when-controlling-es-preamps.394256/
In the coming holidays I will open up the black box and inspect inside.
What do you mean sir by "a better motorised pot"
Do you mean that the motor/gearbox-assembly-part can be improved?
Or do you mean the ALPS(??) audio volume-pot-part could be improved?
I do not hear any cracking sound when raising or lowering the volume through the audio channel.
The mechanical grinding sound coming ouf of the unit itself makes me wonder weather this is a normal sound and that all E80ES have this, or that its just mine making this noise on volume Up.
On a side note, regarding the remote control, I found out a high quality remote that could learn, remember and reproducte the infrared codes given out by the original remote, effectively replacing the original remote with much improved ergonomics!
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...-controls-when-controlling-es-preamps.394256/
The TKD 2CP-2511 is a better audio volume potentiometer (better sound), that also comes with a motor/gearbox. You could try it, instead of that ALPS.
The low-level mechanical noise typical for an electromotor is fine - the grinding noise is not. As I mentioned above, the gearbox is most likely slipping or one of the plastic gears is worn out.
The low-level mechanical noise typical for an electromotor is fine - the grinding noise is not. As I mentioned above, the gearbox is most likely slipping or one of the plastic gears is worn out.