Dirty contacts

[Jimbo]

I had some crackling / noise on a volume control the other day and used some contact cleaner to sort it. Not only did it remove the noise it seems to have improved detail and imaging.

Is this possible or am I imaging it?

In general can cleaning contacts significantly improve equipment / system performance, has anyone else noticed this?:scratch:

[brian2957]

Yes , I've experienced the same improvements as you James . I make a point of cleaning all the contacts , mains plugs and phono plugs , with Deoxit once a year and always reap the benefits with improved SQ . So no , you're not hearing things IMO :)

[Marco]

Where exactly did you apply the contact cleaner, Jim?

Remember that volume pots sit directly in-line with the signal path (and at a critical point, too), so it's not surprising that improving integrity there has resulted in better SQ! :)

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

The signal is going through the pot, so cleaning the contacts will make a difference to what you hear.

[Jimbo]

Where exactly did you apply the contact cleaner, Jim?

Remember that volume pots sit directly in-line with the signal path (and at a critical point, too), so it's not surprising that improving integrity there has resulted in better SQ! :)

Marco.

I applied the contact cleaner directly into the volume pots - they are fairly simple device on the Croft 25R and very accessible. I had heard some slight noise/crackles before i applied the cleaner but now nothing. However afterwards I noticed some more detail in the sound stage which had not been apparent before. Since posting this I have had a look round the net and found one HIFI journalist who had very similar results so maybe its definitely not me imaging it.

I have now been through all my contact points with the cleaner and very pleased with the results. I used WD-40 Specialist fast drying Contact cleaner to do the job. Not particularly expensive and easy to apply with a long spray nozzle.

[struth]

Change of resistance

[Light Dependant Resistor]

I applied the contact cleaner directly into the volume pots - they are fairly simple device on the Croft 25R and very accessible. I had heard some slight noise/crackles before i applied the cleaner but now nothing. However afterwards I noticed some more detail in the sound stage which had not been apparent before. Since posting this I have had a look round the net and found one HIFI journalist who had very similar results so maybe its definitely not me imaging it.

I have now been through all my contact points with the cleaner and very pleased with the results. I used WD-40 Specialist fast drying Contact cleaner to do the job. Not particularly expensive and easy to apply with a long spray nozzle.

Glad you are hearing this, Yes there are always losses with volume pots processing audio signals, as it is one
surface grinding away on another with your audio signal the sandwich in the middle.

Sadly no one except you and me wants to know about it. There is always an immediate rush to defend what is
accepted, but not properly questioned, and you will quickly see comments reestablishing praise of pots,
basically reasserting mediocrity- best to ignore them.

This is why contact less optical methods creating a variable resistor by varying intensity of light is preferable. When done
properly they are far superior, when done poorly though with cheap voltage regulators they are slightly better but fairly
similar to pots.

There are other methods too including fets used as variable resistors, transformers too, can also couple, so broadening your appreciation of attenuation methods, is very worthwhile.

Cheers / Chris

[mik_rik]

I applied the contact cleaner directly into the volume pots - they are fairly simple device on the Croft 25R and very accessible. I had heard some slight noise/crackles before i applied the cleaner but now nothing. However afterwards I noticed some more detail in the sound stage which had not been apparent before. Since posting this I have had a look round the net and found one HIFI journalist who had very similar results so maybe its definitely not me imaging it.

I have now been through all my contact points with the cleaner and very pleased with the results. I used WD-40 Specialist fast drying Contact cleaner to do the job. Not particularly expensive and easy to apply with a long spray nozzle.

Get yourself a can of Servisol,much better than WD40,which is not an out and out contact cleaner.Servisol is a lot cheaper than Caig Deoxit,which is also recommended but I have never used .Maplins sell it so is easily obtainable Mick

[Firebottle]

If you read the post it is specialist WD-40 contact cleaner, not standard WD-40.

[farflungstar]

Glad you are hearing this, Yes there are always losses with volume pots processing audio signals, as it is one
surface grinding away on another with your audio signal the sandwich in the middle.

Sadly no one except you and me wants to know about it. There is always an immediate rush to defend what is
accepted, but not properly questioned, and you will quickly see comments reestablishing praise of pots,
basically reasserting mediocrity- best to ignore them.

This is why contact less optical methods creating a variable resistor by varying intensity of light is preferable. When done
properly they are far superior, when done poorly though with cheap voltage regulators they are slightly better but fairly
similar to pots.

There are other methods too including fets used as variable resistors, transformers too, can also couple, so broadening your appreciation of attenuation methods, is very worthwhile.

Cheers / Chris
Totally agree - hence my love affair with the Truth linestage.

[mik_rik]

Servisol is a dedicated switch cleaning lubricant for pots etc .Contact cleaners are just that and some can be harsh eventually "drying" out the pot,in the long run the more it is used,the more it needs to be used Saying that ,I have no experience of this type of WD,it may leave a lubricant film,in which case I stand corrected,just passing on my experience .Cheers Mick

[Arkless Electronics]

Who's gonna host the first AOS spray-off then?:lol:

[walpurgis]

Servisol Super 10 is available with a lubricant content, specifically intended for switches and pots.

[mik_rik]

Only if I can have the RED corner and definately not the blue!

[spendorman]

Servisol Super 10 is available with a lubricant content, specifically intended for switches and pots.

About 10 years ago I was given a used Sony FM/AM pocket radio. I was very nice apart from a very noisy volume control. I sprayed it with Servisol Super 10. The radio has been in daily use since then, perfect. 10 years on, slight noise from the volume control, so slight, I haven't bothered to give it another spray.

I'd avoid using WD40 and cleaners without a lubricant in the formulation.

[Marco]

If you read the post it is specialist WD-40 contact cleaner, not standard WD-40.

I swear by VD-20... Gets into all those hidden crevices like nothing else! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[spendorman]

If you read the post it is specialist WD-40 contact cleaner, not standard WD-40.

I missed that, thank you, didn't even know that they did a special contact cleaner, but looking it, if I'm looking at the right one, it says on the can "Leaves no residue"

This is not what is wanted in a volume control, unless some other lubricant is provided. I made this mistake many years ago.

[spendorman]

Another example of the use of Servisol Super 10. I bought a brand new Quad 44 soon after they came out, 198?, I can't quite remember, almost immediately, I had noise from the volume control, it's a special stepped switch, and I also had problems with a relay. Spraying both, no further trouble. 44 works fine to this day.

[337alant]

Ive also got some dirty contacts, just hope the wife doesn't find out about them :rolleyes: :D

Sevisol 10 and deoxit are both excellent

Alan

[walpurgis]

Ive also got some dirty contacts

Alan

I'd heard the rumours, but didn't want to say anything. ;)