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Unequal volume between channels - Help

At low volume, the right channel of an integrated amp is inaudible until it is turned up a bit. I suspect the channel may also be a little quieter at higher volumes as well, but I have not measured it.

Anyone know what I might try to do, before sending it somewhere for work? I have already rebiased the tubes, cleaned all speaker contacts, and switched speakers. As a side note, when the balance it turned all the way to the right, the left channel crackles a bit during the adjustment. Amp is a Jolida 102b.

Thanks ahead for suggestions!
gabbro
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
I suspect the volume pot. I once owned an older Arcam int. amp which had this same imbalance issue at very low volume. You might be able to add a high quality "Blue Alps" pot. to your Jolida, or adjust the balance knob. My former 102b did not have this issue. However, there was a slight "hum" from the spks., which I was able to nearly elimanate w/the addition of Telefunken tubes. Good Luck! Bill
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I think kotta's correct.
Many, if not most pots have poor channel balance at very low volumes, but this usually is not present at normal listening volumes. However the crackling is probably dirt, and can be cleaned. The quick way to do this is to turn off the amp and rapidly spin the volume back and forth. The real way involves spraying electrical cleaner into the pot while spinning back and forth.
The real real way is to change to a better quality pot.
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