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Sansui AU-517 - Sound issues (Left chnl)

R

rusputtin

New Member
My set up: Sansui AU 517 + Pioneer TT + Martin Logan speakers
As i was changing the volume, I felt it was slightly static type noise but didn't think much of it... now I see my left speaker barely puts out any sound. Right seems to be working fine but left is not. Any idea what could be wrong with this? Someone suggested to use DeoxIT 5% Spray Contact Cleaner to clean the inside. Does that work? Have any of you experienced such?
U guys are the experts... please provide some guidance. TIA.
 
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Yep, sounds like a job for Deoxit. After many years the knob adjustments build up oxidation on the inside and no longer provide continuity. Remove the case and spray a little inside the knobs, move them around, wait a little while and repeat. Ez.
 
I believe that the volume control is a sealed unit on the AU-x17/x19 series of amps. On the dual-monoblock amps, like the 517/717/519/719, the volume control is made up of two potentiometers, one for each channel. The chance of one channel getting dirty? Possible.

However, in my AU-719, I had exactly the same issues as you describe, and resolved it by cleaning the balance control. Since the balance control sometimes made intermittent contact (heard as static noise), the amount of static seemed to vary with the current through the circuit, which is controlled by the volume control. Eliminating the intermittent contact in the balance control solved my problem. Exercise the balance control, and see if the 'static' noise varies. Could be that it's your issue too?
 
Before opening the amplifier check the rear switch "pre-power-amp", it may cause this problem. Move it repeatedly in case it has a bad contact, leave it again in the Connected position (all with the amplifier off) if the fault is resolved you can lubricate it with deoxit by opening the amplifier. It is also possible to lubricate the potentiometers with deoxit, but the volume pot requires technical intervention, since it is sealed, delicate and impossible to obtain in case of breakage.
 
Phineas69 said:
I believe that the volume control is a sealed unit on the AU-x17/x19 series of amps. On the dual-monoblock amps, like the 517/717/519/719, the volume control is made up of two potentiometers, one for each channel. The chance of one channel getting dirty? Possible.

However, in my AU-719, I had exactly the same issues as you describe, and resolved it by cleaning the balance control. Since the balance control sometimes made intermittent contact (heard as static noise), the amount of static seemed to vary with the current through the circuit, which is controlled by the volume control. Eliminating the intermittent contact in the balance control solved my problem. Exercise the balance control, and see if the 'static' noise varies. Could be that it's your issue too?
Click to expand...

Yap when i move the balance control to the left, volume is very low...did you have to pull apart a lot once you took off the cover to fix this issue?
 
Guys: Thank you for your feedback. Ordering the deoxit spray and hoping that will do the magic. Since i've never done this kinda work/fix, do u guys recommend a certain way of doing this? Any particular order? Once i take off the top cover, do u recommend that I apply the Deoxit in other areas as well? Thanks u all in advance!
 
I did what you guys suggested, used "Deoxit" spray around all the knobs, cleaned the interior with canned air and I waited 2 hours to make sure it is dry inside. Left channel seems still off...i hear sound, but it is much lighter compare to the right. What can be a possible reason? What am i missing? Any thoughts from experts? TIA!
 
SansuiJavier said:
Before opening the amplifier check the rear switch "pre-power-amp", it may cause this problem. Move it repeatedly in case it has a bad contact, leave it again in the Connected position (all with the amplifier off) if the fault is resolved you can lubricate it with deoxit by opening the amplifier. It is also possible to lubricate the potentiometers with deoxit, but the volume pot requires technical intervention, since it is sealed, delicate and impossible to obtain in case of breakage.
Click to expand...

+1 on the pre-amp switch on the rear side.
This is almost always (!!) a problem on these amps and gives exactly the trouble you discribe.
(and all other front side switches and pots, but I would start with the pre-amp switch on the rear side and go from there)

Have fun
-John-
 
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