Bias adjustment for the CARY SLI-80 Integrated Amp


To my fellow tube lovers: I have been here before, and I am back because I need help in solving an issue I have been having with my Cary SLI-80 Integrated Amp.
Very Simple: I cannot adjust the bias reading on the LEFT channel. After warm-up [about 10-15 minutes] I can set/reset the bias reading to 75-80 ma. Wait... there is more .... After about 30 minutes, with or without music, with the meter connected, one sees all of a sudden the needle jumping all over the place; talk about erratic readings: as low as 30 ma and then as high as 150 ma. When I try to adjust down the potentiometer, it gets to a point counterclockwise, where I can no longer adjust it, and it still reads a very erratic reading. If I adjust clockwise, the mamps start to go up even higher.
Either the outer-most power tube on the left gets RED HOT, or the power fuse blows. If I reverse the tubes [right to left and so on, one would think that the issue would be reversed, but it is NOT. Same erratic reading on the outer-most LEFT SIDE. SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE WIRING INSIDE THE AMP. The problem is that the amp has been doing this now for quite some time and it has been sent back to Cary where they charge and tell me that nothing is wrong.

Where do I need help? Does one of you kind folk have a SCHEMATIC of the SLI-80 that I can get from you to see if I can track where the damage is? Or perhaps you’ve had a similar experience and knows where trhe problem lies. I really need help on this. Best to all and stay well during these trying times. Richard
128x128richfrank
Good, you’ve narrowed it down, I say small valve because all these things cost nothing to check. I never use an analog meter. It’s the first thing I do..Cheep tool issues are just that, issues.. Can deal with that it’s a separate deal anyways.. Gonna need it to fix it..anyways... No analog meters...

https://www.trioda.com/index.php/en/equipment/4179-cary-audio-sli-80-signature.

I didn’t look real hard, you can’t upload or refer to a factory schemo.. They will edit the post. The above shows the inside pretty good. You can draw your own schemo. I did both of my Carys.. Shoot they are burned in my head.

Have you done a visual inspection yet? Might be easy to see.

Second remove the bottom inspection cover turn it on and LOOK, no toughing.. You might see the problem. Be patient though..

NOW turn off the lights and look inside... I’ve seen a lot of stuff that way.. Low light and arcing. Bad solder joints, ect.

One hand in you pocket, ay.. no two handed handling anything, unless your ok with it.. they can bite, ..LOL

Again this is a pretty easy unit, look at it... I’ll give it a 4th grader rating, only because they are one messy design.. Just sloppy...sloppy wiring.

If your gonna work on it.. discharge the caps, ALL of them, even the little ones.. they can bite, and scare you. You can knock the amp off the bench... LOL, well maybe not...

Regards..
Great advise. Sounds simple enough. I do appreciate your wise comments about putting one hand in a pocket and discharging all caps. I will follow suit and give you an update after this weekend.
Be well and stay well during these difficult times.
Regards....
30-40 watt light bulb, a socket (with switch) pig tails and 2 alligator clip.

Hook up, ONE at a time one handed switch off and on a of couple times. It’s easy and safe....

Move on to the next one.. I just touch the two leads with the switch on...

Sometime there is a little noise.. LOL sometime it’s loud... YUP...

Be careful, be SAFE...

Regards