amplifier imbalance

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
I agree that "logical" fault-finding and test is the only way, faffing around with replacing caps will get you nowhere and you'll learn nothing, sorry to be blunt but it's really the only way.
Once the set up is tested and you have a result and diagnoses you'll know where to go, whether it's the amp, speakers, connections etc or the Acoustics of the room you'll know what to do.
If it turns out the be amplifier related don't please do blanket substitutions, feed the amp with a suitable Sinewave and then trace where it's changing in level, a doddle on a stereo amp as you have two channels to do comparisons with and you'll learn a lot, bunging in Electrolytic caps also might not cure the fault and is expensive and pointless.

[Bushbaby]

I've just seen that the original speakers that I used with this, Dali Zensor 1's, which were very good in the 'office' environment are also 6 ohms as are the Heybrooks HB2 2000 series. The Heybrooks aren't the same as the original Heybrook HB2 from the 70/80's as the company was sold off so I dont believe the speakers can be compared. This is a pity as I had thought about upgrading to the the Dali Spektor 2's but they are 6 ohm too.

[Bushbaby]

Well blow me down, I've reposition the speakers slightly inwards from the outer walls, further back to wall and pointing towards the middle of the back wall. What a difference in sound - the speakers are very neutral, bass is good and top end may be down a bit but taking the point that I'm 62 now my treble hearing level may be down. I also took the front grills of the Heybrooks too - wow. I do have to say the amp balance does seem to be ok as when listening to some jazz rock just now (Billy Cobham - Spectrum), on the track I was listening to appeared to be fine with a guitarist playing on the right and sax player to the left at about the same volume levels.
From this point forward I'm just going to listen to music for a long while before I decide to do anything else.

Many thanks again

Rob

[ppppenguin]

"Then I never did care for music much, It's the High Fidelity!"

c1959 I think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_DptPvj7ts

[Bushbaby]

Wonderful - 1959, is the same year as my birth.
The wooden plinth to the turntable looks tremendous.

[Bushbaby]

Even 'tree'mendous........

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Its amazing what acoustics can do!
Reflections cause subtraction, additions, phase changes and all sorts of nasties!!
Even a movement of a couple of inches make wide variations.
Bet your glad you didn't replace a shed of capacitors.
Enjoy your music.

[Bushbaby]

I have just been listen to Yo-Yo Ma playing his Bach Cello Suite No 1 and its absolutely fabulous. Trevor and Andy you were both spot on in the placement of speakers being critical. There is NO balance issues with the amp after all. To tell how good this is now I have the tone setting s completely flat for treble and bass.
Just one point thought, will the 6 ohm issue with the speakers be a longer term issue? At the moment I have the amp at about half volume which is not horrendously loud and comfortable but would be concerned to push it any further being for 8 ohm not 6 ohm speakers (the amp is 40 watts and the speakers are 90 watts)?
I've also got some older Mission 770 freedom speakers (I got them for £33 years ago) that had the speakers changed at some time in the past but has been fitted with excellent replacements (SEAS 25TN tweeters and VIFA M21 WJ-09-08 bass speakers) but the crossover circuit has an issue as its not balanced for the speaker change - this is something for the future and they are 8 ohm too.

Thanks again guys, I think this discussion today has saved me a lot of money.

Best Regards
Rob

[ppppenguin]

Unless you're playing a lot of headbanging rock or organ music at high volume there will be no problem with 6 ohm speakers. The amp won't mind.

If you drive the amp into clipping then the tweeters will be at risk. But that's true for just about any setup.

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
Agree with Jeffrey. At normal listening levels it'll be fine. Listen to AC DC, Kurt Cobain at full bung then you'll land in trouble, it'll be fine with normal listening so dont worry.