I currently have these for sale. KR Audio. Measly 50 watts per channel.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448207404.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448207423.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448209156.jpg

A quick look on Audiogon revealed these in the < $500 amplifier category. The Acurus & the B&K standout followed by the Nak & the NAD. All are decent amps. But then you would need a pre-amp as well. The integrated offerings were so-so with only a Creek of interest.

You will really have to decide on a speaker before you go much further with amplifiers. You may not need gobs of power.

Ian

I can vouch for the NADs.

I have used WD-40 on my old Bose pre-amp that was the same vintage as the Marantz pictured.

This link says many folks use WD-40 and WD-40 themselves mention it is something you can use it for. Though, this link then says it's not formulated specifically for potentiometers.

It recommends a product called Super-10 which leaves a small amount of specifically designed lubricant behind.

Can I use WD40 for cleaning scratchy volume controls? | eBay

As the writer points out, WD40 is going to leave behind a residue that will trap dust in the future. Contact cleaner will not.

Those look impressive. What price do they go for used like that?

I have them priced at $3500 for the pair. They were around $9000 new, plus the tubes have been upgraded. The tubes alone are $1000/pair.

Ha! My current home receiver is an unrestored Pilot 602 from the sixties. I think it's about 20 watts per channel. Two EL-84s per side. Sounds amazing. Through old Dahlquist DC-8s.

Be careful about look at Watts. There is Watts, RMS and most importantly: OHMS.

I have a very old Onkyo receiver that states a measly 50 watts per channel but it will blow the doors off a new 500 watt amp because the Onkyo is rated RMS at 2 ohms. ;)

Most modern amps are rated at 8 ohms.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448239562.jpg


Recently restored this 1962 Harmon Kardon that was my dads. Rated at 25w per channel. Pretty sweet sounding.

If you need power... 400 watts continuous each.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1448240250.jpg

JR

These might be the ticket for cheap but good power. And the people at Parasound are superb (they saved our butt BIGTIME before a press event in SF).

Ian

You can always start with one and add the second later if you don't think there's enough guts there. I can promise that a pair of them will be sufficient, if not overkill for the room you've described. I have them in a 36' x 21' room running a pair of Athena P3/S3 powered towers. It's a fairly awesome combination. You might check the max recommended power for your speakers before signing up.

how does this stuff stack up

Sherbourne Model 12/900 series 6 zone amplifier
Elan Z Series Power Amp
B&K PT seriesII Tuner PreAmplifier
Nakamichi amplifier is a PA-5

Just discussing. Not arguing. The link says a lubricant is beneficial. The right kind of lubricant, not WD40.

From my layman's point of view, WD40,even though 90 weight gear oil compared to something designed for the purpose will displace moisture. Moisture leads to oxidation.

Contact cleaner cleans it up but then it's naked.

I've got some good toys, but my knowledge when it comes to stereo equipment doesn't go too far beyond hitting the power switch.

While the addition of a lubricant may be beneficial to the pots in the long run, the OP's primary focus is troubleshooting the intermittent channel. At this point I think regular contact cleaner should accomplish that goal. With WD40, I'd be concerned that the bits of overspray landing here there and yonder on the circuit boards would ultimately become a magnet for dirt down the road.

make sure you unplug it.... "can" air it, test then if not fixed deoxit, carefully

Hold on there. I never promoted WD40. I said I used it. I also said the link said WD40 is not formulated for "volume or balance knobs"(in short).

The product you posted a picture of, which is probably close to the product mentioned in the link as a better choice vs WD40, uses this description:

DeoxIT is a fast-acting deoxidizing solution that cleans, preserves, lubricates and improves conductivity on all metal connectors and contacts. Use as a general treatment for connectors, contacts and other metal surfaces, and on non-critical metal surfaces with severe oxidation and corrosion.

It lubricates. What it uses, I don't know, but it is a better choice than WD40.

:eek: do they blow you while you listen to music?


They are gorgeous though. I just don't think I could ever spend that on audio equipment.