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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Left Meter Pegged
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Message started by Palomino on 03/18/14 at 19:34:46

Title: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 03/18/14 at 19:34:46

I have a Rachael amp and for some reason, the left meter just started pegging all the way to the right. I changed out all tubes and its still happening.

Any ideas?

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by 4krow on 03/18/14 at 19:43:45

I would have the same you about swapping tubes, but now it seems to be a problem internally in the amp. One guess is that the bias resistor is either shorted, or grounded. Another thing to check is that the speaker cable connections are not touching. I use spades that are not wide enough for the posts, and they are nearly touching.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 03/18/14 at 20:02:23

Well this happened when I changed out speaker wires, but I shut the amp off before I did anything. Then when I turned it back on, it didn't necessarily peg, but it is really high like in the 80s. Nothing touching. Not even close.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 03/18/14 at 20:31:54

I talked to Steve and it looks like this one needs to go in. This is one of those times it really pays to have two Rachaels.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by 4krow on 03/18/14 at 20:55:26

Yah, Stuff happens. In my case, I am usually the guy that creates my own delemma :P Fortunately, this amp is simple inside. Just think of all the stuff that burdened with VSLIC, op-amps, SMD parts,etc. Nearly impossible to fix, let alone see whats what.

A second Rachel? A mistress you say.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 03/18/14 at 20:58:14

I am supporting two women. One in the office and one in the basement. Problem is if I don't give them the same "gifts" they don't treat me equally well.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by marky on 03/19/14 at 00:22:11

My Rachaels are lonely :'(
ZP3 and CSP2+ have had beeswax caps fitted and waiting
shipment but paypal are playing up wanting verification...again.
Gotta wait for their letter with a code in it.
Few more days and I`ll post the cash in a bubble wrap envelope.
Sucks without me sounds. :)

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 04/09/14 at 14:26:55

Just an update. It was a Jupiter cap that went bad.

Lonely Raven took my amp to Steve on one of his Peoria runs and Steve fixed it while LR was still there. LR was forced to listen to Steve's R2R setup while he waited. Must have been hell.

Great service and thanks Steve! Thanks LR!

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Lonely Raven on 04/09/14 at 15:06:26

I'm happy to help a friend...besides, it was a great excuse to hang out with Steve and Dave, and to prove that I was partially correct on my diagnosis of the problem. I was really doubtful the Jupiter cap failed, and Steve agreed and said this was a first.

Those are the custom made caps too. If I decide to scratch build a Rachel or Zen amp, I'll have to make sure I hit Steve up for some. Right now though, the ZMA has my full attention.

I'm glad it was an easy fix, and I'm glad it's working. How's the left/right tone/balance since the cap swap?

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 04/09/14 at 15:17:22

You know, I don't know if I can confidently say I hear a big difference.

You remember how my room favors the right side? If anything, it seems a little more in balance now.

I find that new electronics before they break in are a little tighter (hyper detailed) and possibly a little louder. That could be what I hear.

It's not impeding my enjoyment of the amp. I had another peak listening experience just the other night. Huge soundstage, great definition. Very smooth with the new "power foundation."

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Lonely Raven on 04/10/14 at 01:09:59

LOL - power foundation - where have I heard that before.

Title: Re: Left Meter Pegged
Post by Palomino on 04/10/14 at 01:29:05

I think I stole that one from Lon along with "reverberant details" ;)