Amplifier Woes

[Pigmy Pony]

Ok guys, this amp is for the second occasional-use system, not the main set up, so it's not desperate...

Amp I've been using for the past three years or so (switched on 24/7) is an Arcam A75. It has recently started switching from tuner input to phono by itself. But now it won't stay on 'tuner' at all. Keeps moving to phono.

So this morning I pressed my ancient NAD 7225pe receiver into service. Started off ok, but after a few minutes the volume faded to nothing then returned after a couple of minutes. Done this repeatedly, but now, as I type this the sound has faded away and not come back. The sound doesn't stop, it just sort of fades, like slowly turning the volume knob.

I'd happily bin the NAD, but I really like the Arcam, it looks neat and sounds just right with my MA R852 MDs.

Any thoughts? Should I open it up and have a poke around? That sort of thing doesn't usually end well for me.

[Barry]

Does the amplifier have a default input selection, that is, a particular input is automatically selected when the amp is switched on? I would suspect that input is 'phono', so it is possible the chip that does the input selection is faulty, or the supply to that circuitry is intermittent so the 'tuner' you selected will revert to the default 'phono'.

You would also need to check the remote is not the problem. To do that remove the batteries and only use the input selector on the amplifier.

[Pigmy Pony]

Thanks for the reply Barry, the amplifier is permanently on, so I don't know about the default position, though you could well be right. It is kept on as the only source used on it is my Echo Dot, and I like to be able to ask Alexa to "play Radio Caroline" or "play songs by The Stranglers" or "how tall is Peter Crouch" or whatever, without having to get up off my backside.

It has worked well this way for about three years now, but lately the input has moved itself to 'phono' while unattended, meaning I have to get up and switch back to tuner. Then as of this morning it flatly refuses to stay on that input.

What you suggest sound likely, but fixing it would be beyond me. I may ask if Alan Firebottle can have a look at it, been meaning to see if he's going to Cranage this year anyway.

I've pressed my Amptastic Mini-one into service for now (my only remaining spare amp), but it doesn't 'gel' with my speakers like the Arcam. Just not enough power I suspect. First world problems eh?

[Macca]

£100 - lots of power. Given the application doesn't seem like it's worth resurrecting the Arcam for it. Although no doubt Alan will fix it in ten minutes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosi-Audio-V3-Amplifier-Component/dp/B0C36S8DCT/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?

[Macca]

Your NAD receiver is worth fixing though, that's a classic.

[Pigmy Pony]

Your NAD receiver is worth fixing though, that's a classic.

I suppose it might be, but personally I find it to be a bit ugly :sofa: It's just been taking up space this last 3 years, just never got round to selling it. If you or anyone else on here want to have a go at fettling it they can have it FOC.

What can I say about the Arcam? To my ears it just sounds right with these speakers, especially given its poxy Echo source, and that it cost me nowt. Also I want the option to add inputs at some point, so another single-input mini-amp doesn't appeal, even though I know the Fosi has been well reviewed.

[bungalowbill]

Amp repairs. Mike Powell. MPAV. Bolton. Refurbished my Rotel RB991. Highly recommended.

[Pigmy Pony]

Cheers Ian, I had heard of Mike Powell. Even spoke to him briefly on the phone, re. fixing my Densen CD player. Just haven't got round it yet, even though he's only a few miles down the M61 from me. I might just do this, take both items to him :) Maybe the NAD too, provided the value of it makes repair economically viable.