Problem with source direct

[Len Co]

Hi All, I recently got a second-hand Marantz 7200 integrated and when I switch the source-direct function off the sound disappears altogether. Any suggestions as to the likely cause and whether this can be easily fixed. Thanks in anticipation.

[Yomanze]

Broken source direct switch is the likely culprit. Easy to fix by replacing it, and also a fantastic way to realise that running the signal through tone and balance controls is not transparent. :)

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Len Co]

Broken source direct switch is the likely culprit. Easy to fix by replacing it, and also a fantastic way to realise that running the signal through tone and balance controls is not transparent. :)

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Thanks, I'll have a look inside when I'm feeling brave - where would I get a switch from (it's just a small push button on the exterior) is it a generic sort of thing inside?

[Arkless Electronics]

Does it effect all inputs? It's probably not the switch.... possible yes.. but unlikely on such a recent model and unlikely to be faulty on both channels.

[Len Co]

Does it effect all inputs? It's probably not the switch.... possible yes.. but unlikely on such a recent model and unlikely to be faulty on both channels.

Hi Jez, it's a problem with everything I have tried so far - phono, cd, tuner, aux1 - so I'm pretty sure it affects all inputs.

[RothwellAudio]

Broken source direct switch is the likely culprit. Easy to fix by replacing it...
Even if it was a broken switch I doubt that replacing it would be "easy". It would be very unlikely that the switch was not PCB-mounted, so that means you have to get the correct switch with the correct pins for the PCB layout. You may also have to remove the PCB in order to replace the switch, which may entail removing a lot of other stuff. These "easy" fixes are never actually easy at all in my experience.


Thanks, I'll have a look inside when I'm feeling brave - where would I get a switch from (it's just a small push button on the exterior) is it a generic sort of thing inside?
It may or may not be an easy thing to find a replacement for. Probably not easy. Large companies like Marantz can justify having custom parts made, so it may need a Marantz part to replace it.


Does it effect all inputs? It's probably not the switch.... possible yes.. but unlikely on such a recent model and unlikely to be faulty on both channels.
Agreed. It could well be a circuit fault in the part of the amp that the Source Direct switch bypasses.

[Len Co]

Thanks Andrew, I had a quick look inside and the switch is indeed on a pcb. It certainly doesn't look like anything you would get off a convenient shelf! Physically it appears to operate so I suspect, as you say, there is a circuit problem - likely to cost more than the market value of a working machine to fix I guess.
Shame, it's a nice sounding amp to my ears, but I do like/need to use that function sometimes.

[RothwellAudio]

In the old days there would be plenty of places in every town that could do repair work on electrical/electronic goods. These days the circuit boards are so densely packed with tiny surface-mount components that repairs can be almost impossible - and why bother when you can buy a brand new whatever-it-is so cheaply anyway? Hence repairmen are a dying breed. Now you tend to get specialists who are experts in one thing - maybe vintage Hammond Organs or whatever - rather than general repairmen.

If you're very lucky maybe a squirt of switch cleaning lubricant might cure it.

[struth]

In the old days there would be plenty of places in every town that could do repair work on electrical/electronic goods. These days the circuit boards are so densely packed with tiny surface-mount components that repairs can be almost impossible - and why bother when you can buy a brand new whatever-it-is so cheaply anyway? Hence repairmen are a dying breed. Now you tend to get specialists who are experts in one thing - maybe vintage Hammond Organs or whatever - rather than general repairmen.

If you're very lucky maybe a squirt of switch cleaning lubricant might cure it.

very true. i gave it up years ago lol

[Arkless Electronics]

I totally agree with Andrew on this. Japanese amps tend to be unusually difficult and sometimes expensive to repair (if indeed a repair is possible) due to the prevalence of unobtainable parts. Switches etc being amongst the worse as often they were made for just that amp or that range of amps. Very rare IC's are often also used, sometimes in the cases of bigger companies they would even have an IC made for a specific range of amps that would only be made for a 3 year period or so! It doesn't help that Japanese amps are often very untidily built and a servicing nightmare when it comes to accessing PCB's etc... If you have say a mid '80's Jap amp you want repairing don't be surprised if it costs much more than the amps worth to fix it. That is normal!

[Len Co]

Thanks again for all the useful info ..... it's academic now as I have returned the amp , seller was a perfect gentleman who wasn't aware of the problem.

[Minstrel SE]

Hi

I have a 7200 and I dont push it too hard as I know its not going to be an easy or cheap repair in there. Looking through the grill and internet pictures show there is everything but the kitchen sink inside it.

I fail to see how its anything like as good as a simple straight path amp and there are countless components in there. Ive never seen so many capacitors in an amplifier.

I paid £200 for it new which is a bargain buy. Its not an amp I would be comfortable buying used and I even think people like Arkless would think what the hell is going on in here with all these boards...Only joking.

I see quite a few that need repairing now. I tend to think I will get use of it until it packs up. It sounds alright when warmed up. The class A switch doesnt make a massive amount of difference but subtle differences are there...certainly heats the room on a winters day :).

[JimC]

I realise this is academic now but you did have the 'Links' in place for the 'Processor' ?

Without these I would assume no sound would be produced unless in Source Direct Mode.

Jim.