Stereo Crackles

I haer a crackiling sound on the right channel of my stereo when I adjust the volume. Is it time for a new amp?

 

Nope. It's time for a new speaker. And/or new speaker wires.

 

It doesn't seem to be the speaker. I switched the speakers and only the right channel crackles.

 

Often dust on the volume control potentiometer or function controls will do that. Remove the cover and clean moving parts with contact cleaner. (Unplug first).

 

the problem is a cold solder joint or one of the channel switches is gone...a tech can find a cold solder joint and fix it fairly cheaply, but a switch is a bit more costly...my bet is the cold solder joint...mainly because there is a crackling sound...

 

I have one volume control and the crackling is only on the right channel.

 

if you are either bit handy with a soldering iron...that means you have used them frequently...and know what you are doing...take off the top..or bottom as the case may be, and look for the channell switches...you can look up you ampmodel online and verify the position also, then just touch the tip on the solder until it melts. this resets the solder...be careful not to touch anything else...you may damage things you really dont want to pay to repair. your volume control switch or dial has nothing to do with what you are looking for.
good luck
jerry

 

Since only the right channel crackles with the one control then I know its not just a dirty pot. How can I recognize a channel switch. This model stereo is, interestingly, noted for soldering problems.

 

It most likely IS just a dirty or corroded pot. A single volume control on a stereo is two potentiometers running in tandem, one for each channel. And the symptoms are almost definitely a dirty pot. Remove the cover, find the pots behind the knob, and try to squirt some electrical contact cleaner into both of them. Rotate the knob full sweep several times to wipe off the pots inside.

 

I had the same problem with my Logitech speakers, and although they are only cheap (ish), I used contact cleaner on the pot and they work like new.