audio research sp-10

If you are hearing crackling/hissing without touching the dials it is not likely that it is the contacts in the volume or balance controls. If you hear it more when the amp is first turned on and it diminishes as time passes, like 30 minutes or so, you likely have noisy/dying tubes. Since it is restricted to the left channel - here is how to test it: turn it off til the tubes cool down. Remove the top. On the left side remove the front two tubes and reverse them. Turn the amp back on and see if the sound is now coming from the right channel. If not, turn it off and let it cool down. Remove the rear two tubes and reverse them and turn it back on. If the problem remains in the left channel its not the tubes. You don't need to change the tubes back. Now with the unit on, rotate both the volume knob and the balance knob (not at the same time) and see if you hear any noise - if you do then the contacts in the controls should be cleaned (by a technician) but you can usually remove the corrosion to a great extent by just rotating the dials completely for a minute or so. The friction from the contact will cleam them up. Now the killer answer - dying tubes and corroded contacts really shouldn't cause brightness, and in both channels - to the contrary, dying tubes usually cause dullness, noisy perhaps, but dull never the less. Have you read all of the reviews and user comments here and on Audio Asylum yet on your Shanling? Yeh, I know, it looks pretty - I'm waiting for the tiny space ship to land any day now. :-)

newbee..wow..you're awesome..you spelled out those instructions so well..including that i don't need to put the tubes back where they were, that i am actually going to dare to go into the sp-10 and do as you suggested..how cool..i love doing stuff like that but i never had anyone spell it out so simply that i could actually attempt it with my stereo equipment...i'll let you know what happens. and umm..i can take a hint..lol..i take it you have read the reviews on the shanling..??! going there now...after i carpet my floors, ceilings...walls..move my speakers..and wait for the tiny green men to come and take me away :))

umm..newbeeeeeeeeeeeee...i think my first clue is that these screws on the top seemingly haven't been untightened since the incredible hulk (apparently!!) tightened them in 1984. (theres a "passed inspection" 1984 tag hanging from the power cord) okay now then..i used to make recycled industrial jewelry from antique machinery...much older than 1984 and there wasn't a screw i couldn't conquor!!! arghhhhhhh...i couldn't get a single one to budge!!! just venting...where theres a will theres a way (i hope!!!) thanks for being there!! (wheres those little green men when ya need them :) welp...i guess that gives me lots of time to look at the shanling reviews..or maybe i should say..gulp??!

You've got to get a wee can of penetrating oil at the local hardware store. Put a drop on each screw and the little green men will back off and let you inside that SP10. Whats life without a few challenges. :-)

i can't wait to read the next installment in the synthgirl episode... ;)