• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Help Me! Onkyo TX-800

L

littleguy

Hack
Hey guys, I'm kinda new around here, but I've been rocking the same Onkyo TX-800 for several years now, until today, when I noticed that the right channel was suddenly much quieter than the left. This occurs on both the A and B sets, and regardless of which speakers I have hooked up to it or which wires I'm using, so it's definitely the receiver and it's definitely the right channel.

I'm fairly handy with electronics, although I have pretty limited experience soldering, but I want to get this thing fixed (and preferably myself, I want to find out what makes this thing tick. Also, poor college kid)

So, my question is, where do I start?
 
Register to hide this ad
Start by cleaning all volume and balance and tone controls, as well as input selector and tape monitor switches and RCA jacks, with DeOxit. Read up on this at AK and give it a try to eliminate the most obvious and common cause of trouble.

Should your problems be deeper than that others here can help you better than I, but here is a question to help clarify your situation. Turn the volume all the way down and the balance all the way to the right, then slowly start to increase the volume. Does it sound OK other than the volume being less than it should, or is the sound scratchy or distorted? The latter is more symptomatic of the need for contact cleaner (DeOxit). Also, if the sound comes and goes depending on how you jiggle and wiggle and tap on the volume knobs and switches, it is a typical symptom of such troubles.

Good luck and have fun! I hope the problem isn't serious, but if it is you're in the right place.
 
Alrighty, so what do I point the DeOxit at?
 

Attachments

  • DSCF2563.jpg
    DSCF2563.jpg
    90.6 KB · Views: 33
  • DSCF2565.jpg
    DSCF2565.jpg
    92.3 KB · Views: 32
  • DSCF2562.jpg
    DSCF2562.jpg
    82.6 KB · Views: 27
You want to get the DeoXit into the mechanism. On the pots, you want to try to get inside. There are small openings that will work. these are found on the backside of the controls. I would also use a paintbrush and vacuum to clean up the boards while your in there. You don't want to go crazy with the Deoxit and spray it everywhere. With that dust in there you would create an insulation on the caps and boards and other stuff that would be hard to get off and would not allow things to cool properly.
 
So it's OK to get some overspray on to the circuit board as long as I let I dry before I fire it up? Also, do I need a resistor to discharge the caps before I go in there, or if it's been unplugged since yesterday is it good to go?
 
The problem with Deoxit, is it also does some lubricating, so it really never dries. As far as going in, just cleaning you should be good going in. Make sure its unplugged though or you may have some funky hair :D
 
Yay! Thank you guys for the help, dexoiting (if that's a word) the pots and connectors was enough to more than do the trick. Sounds absolutely fantastic now. Man, cleaning up those phono connections was huge as well, the RCA heads on the connector cables are the original ones, and the deoxit made a very satisfying noise when I sprayed them down.

Thanks again, with the TX-800 back up now (not exactly vintage, I know, but not modern either), a pair of Technics SB-2760, and the Sanyo TP-636 Belt Drive I've got what most people would probably consider a sketchy setup, but for a dorm room? Sounds fantastic to me.

:music:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom