Cambridge Audio 840C - left channel has weak output

dragon1952

I've got a Cambridge Audio 840C CD player - the output from the left channel is weaker than the right channel all of a sudden. Also, during warm-up of the CDP, after around 1 minute, I get some snap/crackle/pop sounds from the left channel which lasts for between 2-5 seconds, and I also get a pop from the left channel when I turn the player off. Any ideas or recommendations for a repair facility (preferably near the west coast)?

BlueFox

Did you try switching the L/R output to verify the problem is the CDP, and not the input stage?

dragon1952

I've done all of the isolation and troubleshooting. Yes, it's the CDP.

decal

Just a heads-up here if you have to send it in for repair. My CA integrated kept going into DC protection mode. I had to send it to Audio Plus Services which is the authorized repair center for CA. It took almost 8 weeks and they would never tell me what caused the problem just that they had to replace some caps and resistors. The unit works fine now so the repairs they made are not what bothered me. Be prepared for a possible long wait and a very vague explaination of what the problem was. BTW, this is just my experience, others may have had a different one. Again,just a heads up.

dragon1952

decal wrote: »

Just a heads-up here if you have to send it in for repair. My CA integrated kept going into DC protection mode. I had to send it to Audio Plus Services which is the authorized repair center for CA. It took almost 8 weeks and they would never tell me what caused the problem just that they had to replace some caps and resistors. The unit works fine now so the repairs they made are not what bothered me. Be prepared for a possible long wait and a very vague explaination of what the problem was. BTW, this is just my experience, others may have had a different one. Again,just a heads up.

I just checked into that. I believe all dealers send the units to Audio Services which is either on the US east coast or eastern Canada .... not sure which. That's probably why it took 8 weeks and why the local place was so vague on the specific repair.

decal

The address is in Champlain,NY but everyone I spoke to had French names and accents!!

dragon1952

So were you able to send it directly to Audio Services or did you have to go through a dealer? Was it warranty service? I wonder if they would do non-warranty repair.

decal

Non-warranty direct to Audio Services in my case. Call them, they'll tell you what you need to do. Like I said, be prepared for a wait and not much explaination on the problem they fix. The repair part is fine, I'd just like to know what caused the problem to start with. The folks you talk to are shipping and recieving geeks and they won't let you speak with the tech geeks.

dragon1952

OK...thanks.....I appreciate the info.

dragon1952

Audio Plus Services referred me to George Meyer Stereo in L.A., California. Got a status today. Bad DAC and they also want to replace several caps in the DAC path and power supply. They always replace the DACs in pairs in these machines, they say, so they are certain they will be a matched pair (1 DAC per channel). Estimate of around $375, plus shipping both ways. Looks like it will be close to $500 total :^ (
I reckon I'll have to go through the break-in process too?