I can only use the CD input on this amplifier,the other inputs don't work,the light for that input comes on that's all?(no sound) If I press, just say the tuner button the light comes on but there is no connection? There is some distortion unless its switched into CD direct? This is a very good amplifier, I'm very surprised at just how good it is! Ive been listening to it for the last few days while I fixed my Sansui AU11000,so Id like to get it going properly.If anyone has some ideas or has experience with Technics amps I'm all ears
It might be the CD direct switch is malfunctioning, the quality of these switches isn't particularly good. Neither the quality of the pot meters, I have seen shafts that broke off from the housing. That apart from the cleaning they always need, sometimes even being so dirty a complete channel gets dropped.
Another more often occurring issue with these amps is bad solderings, especially around the power regulating transistors at the front mounted pcb.
They do not sound bad initially, but after a while it gets fatiguing, at least, that is my experience (I am a Technics fan btw, just not so much a fan of the hybrid power pack equipped models).
Another more often occurring issue with these amps is bad solderings, especially around the power regulating transistors at the front mounted pcb.
They do not sound bad initially, but after a while it gets fatiguing, at least, that is my experience (I am a Technics fan btw, just not so much a fan of the hybrid power pack equipped models).
I have an SUV 50 which was generally similar and from the same period. It arrived with a similar fault and I agree with jeromach that that the CD direct switch was the problem. It's a miniature alternate action pushbutton in my model and was not making contact in the off position, hence no signal apart from CD in the direct position could get through.
The problem arises from silver plated contacts and these oxidise or rather, accumulate a black, insulating layer of Silver Sulphide from trace contaminants in the atmosphere.
The switch needed cleaning by repeated action and contact cleaner. They are not easily replaceable and too small to dismantle and work on.
I can't say this is definitely your problem on that model but do look at the switching sequence where CD direct disables the selector and leaves you with Cd only - it seems a clue to me.
The problem arises from silver plated contacts and these oxidise or rather, accumulate a black, insulating layer of Silver Sulphide from trace contaminants in the atmosphere.
The switch needed cleaning by repeated action and contact cleaner. They are not easily replaceable and too small to dismantle and work on.
I can't say this is definitely your problem on that model but do look at the switching sequence where CD direct disables the selector and leaves you with Cd only - it seems a clue to me.
I found the problem! It ended up being a dirty contact or contacts on SW3-1. I did a test after cleaning that and the recording selector and now it works flawlessly.I gave all the switches a clean later on before I put it back together just in case.The soldering around the regulators on the front PCB are excellent as is all the soldering on this one,it looks computer grade to me,I don't find this amp fatiguing at all? By fatiguing I mean its not hard to listen to at all in fact everything you've said about this amp,I have found the exact opposite? I think you may have scored a lemon with the one you have jeromach? I wasn't a Technics fan before this but I certainly am now.
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'Good that you found a related switch problem and resolved it. S1 being the 6-way, 4+1-gang selector switch, it wouldn't be simple. At least it didn't require expensive or unobtanium Technics spares.
Hybrid modules, or at least the original Technics ones, are now either poorly tested pulls or low quality refurbs which soon wind up in the scrap pile with the outright fakes you get saddled with. That applies to many modules but the Technics SUV class AA, AAA+ and related current dumper models are mostly unique with specially designed support chips. Substitutes just don't last long or deliver the quality, so many amps will be write-offs when it comes to major repairs.
I agree that compared to standard AB class products, these class A mimicking designs have a special quality of clarity and subtle imaging at low levels that standard AB designs don't approach. Like the earlier Quad current dumping system, they may not do it perfectly, but often get very close for an amp that runs almost cold. I'm happy to spend a few hours listening to mine with good speakers.
Talking about sound quality is hazardous. You find people are aligned into camps that do or don't like some products or design ideaologies for many reasons - from historical performance criteria to marketing and guru/peer opinion.
An important issue is that we don't really compare apples with apples - in fact we often don't ask what the conditions are, just accepting replies at face value.
Why? Well I once queried a guy who turned out to have a reference system costing near a $100k. I soon realised it would have been smarter not to have asked. 😱
Hybrid modules, or at least the original Technics ones, are now either poorly tested pulls or low quality refurbs which soon wind up in the scrap pile with the outright fakes you get saddled with. That applies to many modules but the Technics SUV class AA, AAA+ and related current dumper models are mostly unique with specially designed support chips. Substitutes just don't last long or deliver the quality, so many amps will be write-offs when it comes to major repairs.
I agree that compared to standard AB class products, these class A mimicking designs have a special quality of clarity and subtle imaging at low levels that standard AB designs don't approach. Like the earlier Quad current dumping system, they may not do it perfectly, but often get very close for an amp that runs almost cold. I'm happy to spend a few hours listening to mine with good speakers.
Talking about sound quality is hazardous. You find people are aligned into camps that do or don't like some products or design ideaologies for many reasons - from historical performance criteria to marketing and guru/peer opinion.
An important issue is that we don't really compare apples with apples - in fact we often don't ask what the conditions are, just accepting replies at face value.
Why? Well I once queried a guy who turned out to have a reference system costing near a $100k. I soon realised it would have been smarter not to have asked. 😱
I understand what you mean Ian,I'm in the camp where it doesn't matter what it looks like,who made it or what class or topology it has,if it sounds good that's all that matters to me.I know that everyone hears things differently and are subconsciously influenced not just by what they're hearing. I was at a Hi Fi expo in Perth in the 70s and they had all the local experts there to give their take on a pair of speakers that had been hyped to the max.When the results were in and after they had finished waxing lyrical about these magnificent speakers a guy pulled the front covers off each speaker to reveal a tiny 6 or seven inch Tammin car speaker on a shelf inside.Oh! The indignation of it all LOL It was in the papers the next day about how they had been duped,tricked and scammed.I learnt a lesson that day that Ive never forgotten.
Well, in a way I was there. I went to 4 annual Hi-fi shows staged in a Sydney venue in the early 1970s. 'Also keenly read the newspaper and magazine write ups, reports of amazing and expensive imports, listened to the also-rans and other sorts of shams - none as amusing as your example though!
Somehow I missed out hearing any amazing sound or maybe the salt water in my ears then had affected my hearing. Dunno, but many systems set up in the rooms (it was a high-rise motel/conference venue) sounded pretty bad and indistinguishable.
The more memorable part of the shows was the expression in the media write-ups and related reviews - not as inane as the contrived mincing of words and gibberish of today's "reviews" but structured much as always - a page or two of rambling, seductive verbage, saying little you couldn't recycle for any elite kit from fine cars to cigars, wine, Hasselblads or Rolex watches.
I think things had improved over time with Hi-fi dealers. But for the shift to Home Theatre, you now could probably hear as the production team might have, in some professionally designed and operated audition rooms.
Somehow I missed out hearing any amazing sound or maybe the salt water in my ears then had affected my hearing. Dunno, but many systems set up in the rooms (it was a high-rise motel/conference venue) sounded pretty bad and indistinguishable.
The more memorable part of the shows was the expression in the media write-ups and related reviews - not as inane as the contrived mincing of words and gibberish of today's "reviews" but structured much as always - a page or two of rambling, seductive verbage, saying little you couldn't recycle for any elite kit from fine cars to cigars, wine, Hasselblads or Rolex watches.
I think things had improved over time with Hi-fi dealers. But for the shift to Home Theatre, you now could probably hear as the production team might have, in some professionally designed and operated audition rooms.
technics problems
I am a repair DIY kind of guy and I have been finding a lot of problems related to amps are the hook-up plug in connections. After years of abuse the connections on the circuit board let go............. it's an easy fix and warrants a good look at them. Start with the simple fix and proceed into deeper waters from there..
I am a repair DIY kind of guy and I have been finding a lot of problems related to amps are the hook-up plug in connections. After years of abuse the connections on the circuit board let go............. it's an easy fix and warrants a good look at them. Start with the simple fix and proceed into deeper waters from there..
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