Amplifier Crackle

yottie · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:47 pm

I have a Sony Legato Linear amplifier (OK it's very old like me !) which has developed a crackle now and again. This seems to originate from the volume slider. Was wondering if there is a fix for this, I think I recall a spray to tackle it from the outside, if not is it possible to dismantle the case etc.

Sam Gangee · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:43 pm

For decades I've sprayed WD-40 inside and it works fine.

ChrisFrost · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:00 pm

I'd definitely go with dismantling the case before you start spraying anything inside an amp. You want to get the fluid where it's needed rather than missing and just making a horrible gunky mess.

Contact Cleaner (A.K.A. switch cleaner is the stuff you want)

Sam Gangee · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:26 pm

He said it's a slider so it's easy to squirt WD-40 inside the potentiometer. Use it sparingly. No dismantling required. Should be good for a few more years.

I wouldn't use switch cleaner. It will remove all lubrication and make it worse in the long run. I don't even use it for cleaning switch contacts. They really need a film of grease or oil to prevent oxidation.

wotan · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:43 am

In the past I have cured crackling volume controls, by dismantling and rubbing a soft pencil over the tracks, worked a treat.

Wotan

yottie · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:16 pm

Many thanks Sam......WD40 works a treat !!

ADOPT,ADAPT,IMPROVE

timtheenchanter · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:27 pm

whats wrong with a switch cleaning lubricant then?

works well for me, I use this, and just normal IPA for other, non lubracative (is that even a word) , uses (which is all "switch cleaner" seems to be anyway

yottie · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 5:33 pm

I think I've used switch cleaner on this in the far past but as I can't find it at the moment I've used WD40 (which every-one has to hand !), it really has sorted the problem.

Sam Gangee · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:21 pm

timtheenchanter wrote:

whats wrong with a switch cleaning lubricant then?

It's probably fine but it's generally not available locally (unless you have a "Maplin's" store nearby) so it's going to cost you between £3 and £5 plus postage. WD-40 at around the same price, dependent on can size, tends to be easier to obtain locally and most people have a can at home. It contains a petroleum based degreaser and a light oil.

yottie · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:18 pm

A local £ shop sells small aeros of WD for.....guess how much !