My Audiolab 8000PX suddenly started to have a loud buzz on the right channel. Music still comes through, but the buzz is much louder and the buzz is at a constant volume that is not affected by input volume. The buzz changes volume and tone when the rca insert cables from preamp are removed, but it is still loud. The left channel still works perfectly. When I switch speaker cables, the buzz switches to the other speaker so it's definitely the amp that is the problem.
I don't really have much techinical skills, other than very basic soldering.
What do you guys think is wrong with the amp? Would it be cheaper to get it repaired or just buy a new Audiolab (I like the Audiolab sound, though I have not heard the newer models)? Thank you in advance!
I don't really have much techinical skills, other than very basic soldering.
What do you guys think is wrong with the amp? Would it be cheaper to get it repaired or just buy a new Audiolab (I like the Audiolab sound, though I have not heard the newer models)? Thank you in advance!
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Sorry but, even with this and that, I can't figure out what's wrong.
maybe with a few photos, the exact model and possibly the diagram, we could start thinking.
That said, it's a nice amp, it would be a shame not to (have) it repaired.
maybe with a few photos, the exact model and possibly the diagram, we could start thinking.
That said, it's a nice amp, it would be a shame not to (have) it repaired.
Apparently Audiolab no longer repairs 8000 series amps...I'm in London, UK. Might be hard to get it reliably fixed for a reasonable fee, even if I'm happy to send it.
Sometimes the cables themselves can introduce noise. Try a different RCA cable to see if there is an improvement.
This post didn't get very far but the symptoms appear similar: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/audiolab-8000px-repair-advice-please.310175/
Sorry to post a negative response but the same happened to me. One day the right channel started to buzz. I noticed the twisted pair from the RCA connectors to the board inputs runs closer to the mains transformer on the right channel than on the left. Touching the right cable induced more hum. Touching the left did nothing. I rerouted it which made some difference but it was still sensitive. I suspected an earth had come adrift but never found it. In testing I earthed everything I could see that sould be earthed but it made no difference. Maybe the brains on this site can offer a suggestion.
You swapped speakers. That was a good test. Do the same with the RCA cables and exchange the cables at the amp input. I presume the problem will remain in the right channel, confirming the problem lies within the amp.
Leave cables connected at amp inputs but leave floating at the source ends. Grasp the cable or touch the source end of the RCA cable at the shell of the plug. If this generates hum, it's evidence the cable shield connection has opened. With luck, an ohmmeter check will reveal high resistance from the right shield to left shield. If this is so, use your ohmmeter to search for a failed connection from right RCA shell to ground. Compare with left for guidance/sanity check.
Good luck!
Leave cables connected at amp inputs but leave floating at the source ends. Grasp the cable or touch the source end of the RCA cable at the shell of the plug. If this generates hum, it's evidence the cable shield connection has opened. With luck, an ohmmeter check will reveal high resistance from the right shield to left shield. If this is so, use your ohmmeter to search for a failed connection from right RCA shell to ground. Compare with left for guidance/sanity check.
Good luck!
There are a couple of small TO126 package transistors per channel in those. They run pretty hot and the solder joints fail. It's quite a common fault and quite visible if you gently move them whilst looking at the solder side of the pcb.
They should really be fitted with small heatsinks.
Worth checking those first.
They should really be fitted with small heatsinks.
Worth checking those first.