After 10ish or so years, I decided I wanted to recreate/revive my first ever hifi set:
Years ago I had upgraded to Cremonas, but when I ran into some Concertinos with original stand, I couldn't resist.
The amp and cd-player had spent their time in a cupboard. The amp worked just fine but sadly the cd-player hadn't survived. When I powered the set, I heard a hissing from the cd-player. When I opened the volume on the amp I was treated with a loud humm. So I'm expecting issues with the power supply.
After opening the case, I noticed some pools of black gooey 'stuff'. Any clue what that could be? Furthermore I saw some swolen elcos. So I guess I need to change a few of those.
As a machincal engineer I can wield a hammer and can (de)solder components, but I'm not really familair with the components. So before I randomly start replacing elcos, any suggestion how to tackle this in a structured way?
- Rotel RA-980BX
- Sonus Faber Concertino Home
- Arcam Alpha 9
Years ago I had upgraded to Cremonas, but when I ran into some Concertinos with original stand, I couldn't resist.
The amp and cd-player had spent their time in a cupboard. The amp worked just fine but sadly the cd-player hadn't survived. When I powered the set, I heard a hissing from the cd-player. When I opened the volume on the amp I was treated with a loud humm. So I'm expecting issues with the power supply.
After opening the case, I noticed some pools of black gooey 'stuff'. Any clue what that could be? Furthermore I saw some swolen elcos. So I guess I need to change a few of those.
As a machincal engineer I can wield a hammer and can (de)solder components, but I'm not really familair with the components. So before I randomly start replacing elcos, any suggestion how to tackle this in a structured way?
I would annalise the goo first as it looks like it doesn't emminate from components and take a look, above the goo on the top cover, (inside).
I see no swollen caps. Caps bulge out of the 'K' shape on the can, not usually from the connections on small caps like these.
I see no swollen caps. Caps bulge out of the 'K' shape on the can, not usually from the connections on small caps like these.
Manufacturers love gluing things at times but that stuff looks a bit bizarre. Maybe it is some weird sort of snake oil ....... or sonic improvement Who said that 😀
This thread shows some 'object' stuck to the big chip. Post #6 in the same place as the goo. I'll bet goo is cheaper and easier to apply.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/replace-caps-of-arcam-alpha-9-cdp.273919/post-4316667
Caps are favourite on Arcam stuff from what I have seen and read on here.
This thread shows some 'object' stuck to the big chip. Post #6 in the same place as the goo. I'll bet goo is cheaper and easier to apply.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/replace-caps-of-arcam-alpha-9-cdp.273919/post-4316667
Caps are favourite on Arcam stuff from what I have seen and read on here.
They haven't exploded yet, but don't seem 100% flat. but assuming the caps are ok, then what is causing the very present hum?
Seems indeed that those black strips have molten or something. Nu clue what their purpose is
what do you mean "Caps are favourite on Arcam stuff" (sorry, non-native speaker)
It means that electrolytic capacitor failure in the power supply area is often the number one fault seen on these players.
The frequency of the hum will suggest the cause; 100/120HZ Power Supply Ripple and 50/60HZ earthing or grounding issue.
The latter can be either a simple fix or a pain to find.
PS, never expect things always fault find and be sure of the area to look at. A simple slip with a soldering iron can cause damage to a double sided board and it will be time to purchase a new amplifier. Be cautious.
The latter can be either a simple fix or a pain to find.
PS, never expect things always fault find and be sure of the area to look at. A simple slip with a soldering iron can cause damage to a double sided board and it will be time to purchase a new amplifier. Be cautious.
The hum through the speakers is 300Hz (that's at least the highest peak, there are some in front as well). And the hiss from the transformer is ~8kHz
That's why I came here 🙂
Transport is the same yes.
If I remember well, you could even buy a separate dcs dac board at the time, that would plug in the 7's mainboard to upgrade it to a 9. The kit even included a new 9 logo for the front panel.
If I remember well, you could even buy a separate dcs dac board at the time, that would plug in the 7's mainboard to upgrade it to a 9. The kit even included a new 9 logo for the front panel.
Yeah, I knew there was an upgrade path, hence I bought the 7. Quick test earlier today showed it worked great.
As the 9 mainboard has some sort of fault, I’ll start replacing the caps. Worst case I’ll keep the 7 mainbboard.
As the 9 mainboard has some sort of fault, I’ll start replacing the caps. Worst case I’ll keep the 7 mainbboard.