so I probably did something a bit frowned upon to my 535
nadams
Posts: 5,877
I've been having problems with the switches that control the A/B speakers. Especially with the "A" selector, it would drop the right channel a lot. If I wiggled the switch a little bit it would be okay, but it would always drop out again.
So I pulled the switch apart and found that the contacts inside had actually gotten somewhat burnt from the power going through them for the past 20 some years. I tried cleaning them with CAIG DeOxIT, and treating them with ProGold afterward, but nothing seemed to help. So, I gave it the old "screw it" shrug, cut the wires from the "A" channel, and spliced and soldered them together to create a permanently "on" channel.
The only downside that I see, was that I was unable to get the "B" selector switch back together properly, so now I can only drive one pair of speakers (the SDA's) with this amp. I suppose I could cut the "B" channel wires and do the same thing with them, but then I'd have to physically unplug one set of speakers to use the others. The only other speakers I was driving with this amp were the R15's I have sitting on my desk, so I may have to get a Sonic Impact T amp or something to drive them with.
I figured that the hardwired method would be better for the SDA's anyway, after seeing the small contact patch, and thin metal that the switches contain. You'd think they would have to use better materials in those switches...
So I pulled the switch apart and found that the contacts inside had actually gotten somewhat burnt from the power going through them for the past 20 some years. I tried cleaning them with CAIG DeOxIT, and treating them with ProGold afterward, but nothing seemed to help. So, I gave it the old "screw it" shrug, cut the wires from the "A" channel, and spliced and soldered them together to create a permanently "on" channel.
The only downside that I see, was that I was unable to get the "B" selector switch back together properly, so now I can only drive one pair of speakers (the SDA's) with this amp. I suppose I could cut the "B" channel wires and do the same thing with them, but then I'd have to physically unplug one set of speakers to use the others. The only other speakers I was driving with this amp were the R15's I have sitting on my desk, so I may have to get a Sonic Impact T amp or something to drive them with.
I figured that the hardwired method would be better for the SDA's anyway, after seeing the small contact patch, and thin metal that the switches contain. You'd think they would have to use better materials in those switches...
Ludicrous gibs!
Post edited by nadams on
Comments
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nadams wrote:You'd think they would have to use better materials in those switches...
Switches and connectors are the top two areas where audio manufacturers cut corners.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country! -
Makes sense I suppose. I guess I could try to find better quality switches to replace the factory ones with to restore the amp to full functionality (though the switches themselves are soldered to a circuit board, which would make it harder). While I'm at it, I really should get some nicer RCA jacks for it from diycable.com. I never know which style to buy, though.
I realised, after thinking briefly, that I wouldn't be able to get the B selector switch to work by itself unless I took a jumper wire from the switch to the ground in the pair that I cut out... being a common ground amp and all....Ludicrous gibs! -
Send an email to Adcom (info@adcom.com) and ask who was their vendor for the switch. The vendor may have an identical sized switch that is higher quality. Also, ask Adcom for a recommendation on higher quality RCA jacks and a power switch.Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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nadams wrote:Makes sense I suppose. I guess I could try to find better quality switches to replace the factory ones with to restore the amp to full functionality (though the switches themselves are soldered to a circuit board, which would make it harder). While I'm at it, I really should get some nicer RCA jacks for it from diycable.com. I never know which style to buy, though.
The RCA's are either PCB mounted or chassis mounted...one look should solve that problem.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
The RCA's are chassis mounted, coupled as a pair and screwed through the back of the amp. I'm guessing that I can just buy any rca's that have the nut to tighten them to the chassis and I'll be okay...
I will get in touch with adcom on the switches...Ludicrous gibs! -
it sux but why cant you just send it in and have them do the work, test it, and send it back. that way its sure to work correctly and they may even warranty the work.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
nadams wrote:The RCA's are chassis mounted, coupled as a pair and screwed through the back of the amp. I'm guessing that I can just buy any rca's that have the nut to tighten them to the chassis and I'll be okay...
I will get in touch with adcom on the switches...
Yep, easy project.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Sherardp wrote:it sux but why cant you just send it in and have them do the work, test it, and send it back. that way its sure to work correctly and they may even warranty the work.
If I remember right Adcom charges about $100 just to look at it and if they warantee the repair it's only for like a month. Now that $100 will go to the cost of the repairs that they deem needed, but you could get some badass jacks and a high quality switch for that price.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
Ordered my Cardas jacks from DIYCable.com
Still haven't heard anything via email from Adcom... I may have to call them.Ludicrous gibs! -
Yeah, give them a call... the girl they used to have answering the phones was awesome.Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
Backburner:Krell KAV-300i -
Uhmmm.......don't forget about the crappy speaker terminals on the MK I series. That would be my first upgrade, I hate those things and I don't even own a 535 MK I right now. If you're going to do it, "git 'er done all the way", IMO of course.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Also, if you send to Adcom to have the work done (not repairs) it won't be worth it. It will cost you as much as a another used unit. They would do a great job, but it'll be expensive. If you can't tackle the project yourself any competent electronics repair shop should be able to do it for about 1/2 the cost Adcom would charge. Nothing wrong w/ sending it to the manufacturer for bonafide repairs, but for an upgrade like this it isn't necessary.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
That's gonna be one hot looking piece of **** when your done.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I just got a response from Adcom on the switches. They're $14 ea. I'll be calling them to order sometime soon. As for the speaker terminals, I realise that they suck, but I'm not sure how it would work to replace them. They have solid pieces of metal running down to a circuit board, rather than just being wires. Seems like it would be hard to find a matching part...Ludicrous gibs!
