TEA2SE- left channel no sound

[Big Dog RJ]

G'day maties,

Just need your expertise analysis for trouble shooting once again.

As I was just finishing my listening session from CDs and changing over to LP, turned the TEA2SE on and everything seemed fine... until the LP started playing, tunes coming from only the right channel.

The left channel is dead silent, such that even the left CLX doesn't light up when the signal is applied. Hence, means no signal coming into the left channel.

I've changed interconnects and all is fine there. I haven't opened up the unit to swap tubes... as yet.

Before sending the unit to our CJ tech, is there anything I should do first? Could it be a tube problem, since there are three tubes in this thing, and one is Input gain stage, the other two are output tubes L & R channels. I'm thinking the left one must be dead... don't know.

No distortion or low noise or any of that sort, just complete silence. The right channel works fine.

Any ideas / suggestions before I send away the unit?

Thanks, RJ

[admin]

Just to be clear, when you say you changed interconnects, did you swap the right and left channel (both input and output) from the TEA2SE to confirm that the fault is truly in the left channel circuitry of TEA2SE? This is important to rule out all pre and post phono preamp issues.

I don't have the schematics for that unit but I would probably start with a visual inspection on the insides looking for damaged components, bulging caps, burn marks, etc... specifically in the left channel circuitry.

I would just check the fuses as well. Not sure of how the tubes are set up in that unit, but if there is one for the left channel only, I would swap it with the right and see if that fixes the issue.

One last thing to try is adjusting the dip switches for the cartridge load to either all off or all on (which ever decouples them from the circuit). Not likely but worth a try.

Let us know how it goes.

[roberto]

What a about a faulty contact right at the cartridge? That happens to me once. If not, connect the left channel turntable to the right channel input of the phono section. If the left channel works, turntable is OK. Connect back both R & L connectors to the input of the phono preamp. Now connect the left output of the phono pre amp to the R channel of your CT-5 Is it working? No, then the phono preamp is the culprit.

[Big Dog RJ]

Yep, tried all that. The interconnects are fine. Even changed the inputs on the preamp, using a different input on Tuner, Video, and Aux 2. All work the exact same, left channel is dead.

Tried the right/ left change over, and same thing, the left channel doesn't respond... anyway, the right works fine.

Sending off the unit next Friday, so hopefully I'll get both the power amp and phono-pre back in good order.
I'll report back on the findings so that others can view with similar symptoms.

Cheers for now, RJ

[roberto]

Dear Brother Wolf,

We have a saying here in Costa Rica. We say "S" happens! Sorry to hear that you have to send the unit to the workshop. To me, usually it is a minor damage. No worries about it.

Happy listening!
Another woof, woof!

[Big Dog RJ]

Cheers Robbo,

I know, it should be a small fix given the condition of the unit, which is still virtually brand new!

I'll report back on the tech's findings once I get feedback.
Cheers for now, and enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ

[Big Dog RJ]

Ah! Happy to report the TEA2SE has been fixed. After all that Jazz, and drama it wasn't the TEA2SE afterall...

It was the TT RCA cables, left pin had a weak solder joint. All redone and everything is operating perfectly! Will be picking up on Friday.

Cheers maties, enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ

[admin]

Glad to hear it was nothing major. I have to ask, did you swap the RCA cables like I had recommended in my post above? That should have fixed the left channel (and made the right dead).

[Big Dog RJ]

Yes, correct that did happen. However, soldering on both rca's were redone in order to be sure. It's just that the left plug was fairly loose.

Must have happened over time. I did contact Rega about it and they mentioned it is very rare but can happen. Re-soldering is definitely the best option unless a set of brand new plugs was required, again very rare with Rega gear.
According to them...

I guess their simplicity in design and ruggedness is what keeps Rega going even under harsh conditions or usage. They just seem pretty simple to set up and they play well regardless of how their TT's are used.

I'm very careful with my gear, so I expect them to last forever! It's a good thing we still have highly skilled techs but they're getting rare these days...

Enjoy those fine tunes!
Cheers, RJ

[admin]

Again, glad it's fixed. Had a rega planar 3 for many years. You are absolutely correct, they are rugged.

[roberto]

What a chasing the tale thing. A loose RCA connection, right? That happens. I´m happy that the TEA2SE was OK.

Tell us how your improved sound is please...

Woof, Woof!

Bobby.

[Big Dog RJ]

Last night up until around 4am I was listening to digital playback on the Esoteric gear, it was phenomenal! The improvements are so profound, that at one point I was wondering if these amps were a set of completely different monoblocks! The sound improvements have met my personal benchmark, 40% and over easily!

Like I said before, if anyone is considering CJ's SE full upgrade, that includes Vishay resistors, not just the other goodies, must consider this SE version, it's superb in every way possible. There's no denying it. JF and his team know exactly what they're doing and how well these SE versions perform, given equally top notch equipment to gel with. The overall synergy is outstanding!

As for tonight I'm listening to LP's and the TT rig and TEA2SE are sounding superb! Equally enjoyable on LP as well as digital, I'm just loving both. The Teflons on the TEA2SE are just about getting there, so I guess there's more improvements to come. As far as the quietness is concerned on the phonostage it's phenomenal! You hear every little detail from LP's, everything is picked up with a fine level of detail and resolution.

Now, the main three critical areas of improvement other than what I've spoken about on this occasion are:
1. The quietness factor, is even greater. I'm talking absolute dead silence, no buzz, no hiss, no hum, no squeak, no nothing, which leads to point 2...
2. You hear more of the music and what's on the recording, which leads to point 3...
3. It gets louder as the system warms up, to such an effect you can turn down levels. It's not necessary to crank up to get the full scale of dynamics and realism. Just at the right volume, like focusing a camera lense, everything falls into place so perfectly it's really awe-inspiring. It's a marvellous thing!

I'm overwhelmed by what these improvements have been after the SE upgrades were done, including a few other upgrades done on the amplifiers over a period of two years. The level of performance has reached a certain threshold, such that in order to surpass this would be pretty futile. Not only would it involve some serious level of expenditure but it would also seem quite silly. So with that said, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy those fine tunes!

A big woofty woof'n to all, cheers
RJ

[admin]

Looking great. It's a wonderful feeling when a system comes together well.

[Big Dog RJ]

Yep, it's overall performance is superb Admin.

These highly specialised SE upgrades are worth every penny. At times it may seem a bit stiff especially when it involves a few grand per amplifier... but when it all settles in nicely and things take shape, it just shifts several gears into another dimension, once that is experienced it's really extraordinary!

I've done many careful upgrades with the monoblocks along the way, I think this final layout of Vishays made the biggest difference, they are truly in a class of their own.

I very highly recommend anyone considering SE upgrades as well as Vishay resistors added if finances permit, to go this path, you will never regret it.

Cheers maties, enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ