I got my CA-1010 used in 2005.
In 2008, the right channel started dropping out at low volumes. The volume was scratchy, but restored with an occasional burst of higher volume. I replaced the original Panasonic protection relay with a new Potter & Brumfeld unit, as well as spray cleaned the volume pots.
Problem solved... for two years. In 2010, right channel dropout at low volume started again, so I replaced the P&B with an Omron, and cleaned the volume pots again.
May 2014, I notice right channel dropout and scratchy volume control again at low volumes. I shot the volume pots with cleaner and it went away for a week.
Paying closer attention, now I (finally) notice that the volume dropout and scratchy pot problems vanish after about a half hour of amp use with the volume knob at at least 8 o'clock. After that half hour, I can play the amp as quietly as I wish and the right channel will not drop out and the volume control is scratch-free.
What am I looking at here? A cold solder joint anywhere between the output stages and the speaker terminals that tightens up with warmed-up components? A microscopic crack in a PC board trace that closes up with heat? I'm sick of replacing relays and spraying pots.
In 2008, the right channel started dropping out at low volumes. The volume was scratchy, but restored with an occasional burst of higher volume. I replaced the original Panasonic protection relay with a new Potter & Brumfeld unit, as well as spray cleaned the volume pots.
Problem solved... for two years. In 2010, right channel dropout at low volume started again, so I replaced the P&B with an Omron, and cleaned the volume pots again.
May 2014, I notice right channel dropout and scratchy volume control again at low volumes. I shot the volume pots with cleaner and it went away for a week.
Paying closer attention, now I (finally) notice that the volume dropout and scratchy pot problems vanish after about a half hour of amp use with the volume knob at at least 8 o'clock. After that half hour, I can play the amp as quietly as I wish and the right channel will not drop out and the volume control is scratch-free.
What am I looking at here? A cold solder joint anywhere between the output stages and the speaker terminals that tightens up with warmed-up components? A microscopic crack in a PC board trace that closes up with heat? I'm sick of replacing relays and spraying pots.
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