The vinyl spin-all

So, I think my Carver MXR-130 receiver is pretty much dying. There is crackling/clipping/distortion coming out of the left channel on both the Speaker A and Speaker B outputs. It's an ongoing issue that I was previously able to solve by switching to the Speaker B outputs. I'm going to fiddle with it some more, but my guess is that it's just dying of old age. I don't want to deal with a used receiver, so I'm thinking of eventually getting something new in the less than $500 range. There's a Yamaha R-S700BL, a Marantz SR4023, and a HK 3490.

I'm thinking the HK would be a good fit because it has more power and going off this review here. Also, it's discounted on Amazon much more than the other two. It needs to power 2 Klipsch Fortes. I think the Yamaha would also have enough power since the speakers are rated 100W @ 8 Ohms but it's more expensive without any significant advantages that I can see.

Thoughts?

Edit: Looking at them more closely, I think the Yamaha is definitely the way to go. The build quality looks far superior and simpler. It's just straight up all analog, so I would guess the components used are superior to the HK. It just better looking from an aesthetic standpoint, too. The HK looks good in photos, but I'm guessing it would feel a little cheap. Since it's main purpose is for a turntable, I don't need DACs built in. If I ever want to use it with a computer, I'll just buy a DAC separate.

If I buy it eventually, I'll name her Gipsy Danger.

Radical Ans wrote:

Tuffalo, I remember you mentioning you had a Sony PS-LX300USB at one point. Do you know where one could get a good replacement stylus cartridge for that particular model?

Whoa, totally missed that question. That's kind of the problem with that one. I believe it's a proprietary design, so you would just have to order an exact replacement directly. I don't know if they sell them on Amazon or maybe you could buy it off of Sony's website. There's one here that doesn't list that model, but it actually might be the proper one. It'll probably require a little research.

Osiran wrote:
tuffalobuffalo wrote:

Edit: OH OH OH! I have another idea! Do you have your turntable sitting directly on top of your receiver? The electromagnetic waves that are generated by your receiver can interfere with the cartridge which is magnetic. It's best to put put the turntable to the side or at least keep space in between the receiver and the turntable.

It IS on top... I'll move it and report back. Nice site link above, btw!

Did that end up solving the problem? I forgot to follow up on that, and I'm curious.

Mail call

IMAGE(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1384287_10101798504509500_944634124_n.jpg)

Cool! I've heard of them but haven't listened. What's the best song to start with?

I got Vault Package #17 today. It's impressive. All my records and gear are at work now, so I won't really be taking pictures anymore. Here's what it is:

IMAGE(http://thirdmanrecords.com/assets/NewsPhotos/Vault17mainlg.jpg)

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

Cool! I've heard of them but haven't listened. What's the best song to start with?

The whole album is pretty solid but I'd probably say The Wire or Honey & I are good starting points.

Love the colors/illustrations on those records.

So, I was looking through a Carver MXR-130 Service Manual and they have a fix related to my exact problem:

Service Bulletin 4
Date: 10-15-86
Problem: Intermitant channels (destortion) (channel drop out)
Cause! Defective relays
Fix: Replace relays

I kept the spelling errors.

That's my exact problem. So, I found a relay that looks to be the equivalent here. At 7.77 apiece, I'm probably going to give it a shot. The PCB that has the relays on it is the speaker terminal board and I'm thinking should be fairly easily accessible. I'm going to pop the top today and see if I can remove the board easily. If it is, I'll order the 2 relays at $7.77 and give the fix a shot.

Godspeed! Taking apart and fixing an expensive piece of equipment is always a nerve wracking experience. I had to diagnose a similar problem with a guitar amp the other day. Turned out that the jack for connecting to an external cabinet was flakey. Quick replacement and it's back up and running.

Fixing things rules.

It's always blown caps for me, I try to start fully stocked with a wide assortment. Who doesn't love the smell of solder, amirite?

It's the best smell.

Also toxic

New records to listen to!

A bit of Northwest history for me and some pop music for my wife. We listened to side 1 of each, they're both good stuff.

IMAGE(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9521/hukx.jpg)

Funny story about these: Yesterday was our anniversary, I ran out at lunch and picked up the Capital Cities as a small gift for her. We discovered last night that she was in the same store not 10 minutes after I left to purchase the Sonics album for me. When I was in there I had been checking that same record out, thinking I wanted to get it at some point.

Aww you two are too cute.

Have many many new purchases. Hopefully I can get some photogs tonight.

I picked up Reflektor and the 10th anniversary edition of Transatlanticism today. Both are pretty spectacular double disc vinyl editions. They're also good albums to boot.

Man, that Sonics album is really great. Part of why I was interested in it is that I repeatedly see it mentioned as one of the earliest influences on punk rock. I can definitely see where that comes from.

It's Halloween!!!

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/k13bH7r.jpg?1)

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/iOHkkYb.jpg?1)

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/e4kgplf.jpg?1)

And the obligatory:
IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/eL1Rcf9.jpg?1)

And one more just for fun:
IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/8n4qMY9.jpg?1)

Awesome! I am so jealous of that War of the Worlds one.

This is about as close to a Halloween record as I've got. It's pretty terrible. And by terrible I mean awesome.

IMAGE(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6139603310_c25df731a6_z.jpg)

Halloween times means these guys go on rotation:

IMAGE(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Misfits_-_Walk_Among_Us_cover.jpg)

IMAGE(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/Misfits_-_Earth_A.D._cover.jpg)

IMAGE(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d9/Misfits_-_Static_Age_cover.jpg)

Radical Ans wrote:

Halloween times means these guys go on rotation...

Awesome -- wish I had these guys on vinyl. I say that if you aren't listening to The Misfits on Halloween, you're doing it wrong.

Those three are actually pretty easy to find. Check out interpunk.com. Lots of good punk vinyl there.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

So, I think my Carver MXR-130 receiver is pretty much dying. There is crackling/clipping/distortion coming out of the left channel on both the Speaker A and Speaker B outputs. It's an ongoing issue that I was previously able to solve by switching to the Speaker B outputs. I'm going to fiddle with it some more, but my guess is that it's just dying of old age. I don't want to deal with a used receiver, so I'm thinking of eventually getting something new in the less than $500 range. There's a Yamaha R-S700BL, a Marantz SR4023, and a HK 3490.

I'm thinking the HK would be a good fit because it has more power and going off this review here. Also, it's discounted on Amazon much more than the other two. It needs to power 2 Klipsch Fortes. I think the Yamaha would also have enough power since the speakers are rated 100W @ 8 Ohms but it's more expensive without any significant advantages that I can see.

Thoughts?

Edit: Looking at them more closely, I think the Yamaha is definitely the way to go. The build quality looks far superior and simpler. It's just straight up all analog, so I would guess the components used are superior to the HK. It just better looking from an aesthetic standpoint, too. The HK looks good in photos, but I'm guessing it would feel a little cheap. Since it's main purpose is for a turntable, I don't need DACs built in. If I ever want to use it with a computer, I'll just buy a DAC separate.

If I buy it eventually, I'll name her Gipsy Danger.

UPDATE! I did the repair! The repair was pretty tough with my POS soldering iron. The new Weller tip that I ordered wasn't compatible with the Weller soldering iron that I have. Anyways, I barely managed to get the 2 8-pin relays desoldered enough so that I could slowly work them out of the PCB. It was a bit messy, but I got them out and the new parts soldered in. Desoldering is so freaking difficult sometimes. So, I hooked everything up to the Speaker A outputs and it worked very well... for about 5 minutes. The left channel dropped out. So, then I tried the Speaker B outputs. Those have now worked perfectly for 1 and a half albums. It's working way better than it has the last couple weeks. So, something is going on. I wonder if I just needed to switch back and forth a bit to get everything going good. I'll keep testing Speaker B this week and if I don't have problems go back and test the Speaker A outputs. I also have some contact cleaner which I need to spray in the pots and switches. That might help.

I'm crossing my fingers.

Edit: NOooooooooo! I'm getting channel dropout this morning. I guess I'll save my pennies for that Yamaha amplifier. I am really bummed.

Tuffalo, maybe you should try a repair shop? Audio Specialties Ltd. did a great job for me on a weird project, and they've got great reviews for repair (and used equiptment too).

jonnypolite wrote:

Tuffalo, maybe you should try a repair shop? Audio Specialties Ltd. did a great job for me on a weird project, and they've got great reviews for repair (and used equiptment too).

Well, given that I've gone through the repair specified in the service manual and that didn't work, I don't think there is anything they can do further than I've gone. I know the repair went just fine because the replacement relays are working just as good as the old ones. In other words, I didn't make it worse with the repair. I'm sure they probably could have done a better job on the relay replacement given my tools were crappy, though.

I ordered the parts from a seller on eBay that does Carver receiver repairs and refurbishes. It came with pretty detailed instructions with pictures on everything. The other components that you can replace are for other issues. The one final thing I'm going to try is using some contact cleaner on the pots and switches. I'm just waiting for that to show up in the mail.

If that doesn't work, maybe I'll just go give it to them or sell it to them, and they can use it for parts. I'd feel better about doing that than just chucking it in a dumpster.

Just picked up two new ones that I've really been digging.

IMAGE(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eDRKbwUkF6s/Unfwl9bJ7YI/AAAAAAAAASE/BGmP5Jc2AZY/w788-h587-no/photo.JPG)

James Blake -- Overgrown and Shlohmo -- Laid Out. Enough has been said about James Blake, but Shlohmo may be a bit of a sleeper. Really luscious textures and thoughtful samples. Great stuff.

ratzofftoya wrote:

Shlohmo may be a bit of a sleeper. Really luscious textures and thoughtful samples. Great stuff.

I'll have to check that out!

I don't have a turntable but I could not resist:

IMAGE(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/10766416833_04ddb200f2_z.jpg)

I can't take Yes, but those books are pretty irresistible. I had the Folio when I was a kid. Don't think I've seen that DMG before!

Quintin_Stone wrote:

I don't have a turntable but I could not resist:

IMAGE(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/10766416833_04ddb200f2_z.jpg)

Ah, it seems like just yesterday when Radical Ans posted here saying he bought a record but had no turntable. Now he buys more records than all of us I think. And has a turntable to play them on. They grow up so fast!

peedmyself wrote:

I can't take Yes, but those books are pretty irresistible. I had the Folio when I was a kid. Don't think I've seen that DMG before!

The classic AD&D first edition DMG.