Armstrong 521 noise when playing records - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

elnorte · 29th Mar 2017, 9:08 pm

Split from this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=135130

Hi Guys

I've only just signed up here to post/ask a question regarding my own Armstrong 521. As chance would have it there was a topic on it right on the front page!

However, before I go right into my own specific problem I should first probably ask whether or not it is ok to do so in this thread or if it would be more appropriate to make my own?

The main reason I ask is because I have, to put it mildly, nothing like the technical know-how those that those who have previously posted possess so therefore didn't want to hijack or detract from the more advanced discussion.

Suffice to say for now that it involves pretty similar issue of random/intermittent (the worst kind I know) distortion, crackle, pops and what could be best described as a loud gurgling sound from the speakers when the phono/record player button is switched to on.

Thanks in advance.

elnorte · 30th Mar 2017, 11:26 am

Hello again. Just wanted to clarify one little detail which is that the aforementioned noises occur regardless of whether or not a record is playing. The button on the amp for the turntable simply needs to be set to on for the cracks and pops to be audible albeit in a intermittent basis.

Trevor · 30th Mar 2017, 5:32 pm

Is this at a normal volume setting? What turntable and cartridge are you using? Do any other inputs effect the amplifier in the same way? Is it on both channels?

Trev.

elnorte · 30th Mar 2017, 6:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor

is this at a normal volume setting

As long as the volume valve is set loud enough to hear music (ie between one and two or above) then the audio issues can be heard.

Quote:

What turntable and cartridge are you using

The turntable is a Garrard Transcription Model AP 76. Not sure about the cartridge. Is there any way I could find out?

Quote:

do any other inputs effect the amplifier in the same way is it on both channels

For other external inputs (ie an MP3 player) the same problem does NOT appear to occur based upon my limited usage of this function.

Pamphonica · 30th Mar 2017, 9:59 pm

It's always worthwhile applying some switch cleaner to those push-button switch banks. I have had a number of 521s and switch cleaning always helped. You can get Servisol "Super 10" cleaner aerosols from Maplin. The other thing to clean is the edge connectors on each board and their respective sockets. These definitely can get crackly.
Otherwise it's on to full-scale diagnosis, as per Trevor's response.
These amps are very nice-sounding and I'm sure you will be able to get them back into full fettle with a bit of help from the forum gurus.
Jeremy

elnorte · 31st Mar 2017, 10:10 pm

Thank you for the advice. I shall certainly look to acquire some of the Servisol you mention. Excuse my ignorance but can you tell me the best way to apply it to the switches and whether further cleaning of the edge connectors that you mention would require opening the amp up?

First off as a quick aside is it normal for this make of amp to have a standard low hum regardless of any additional pops or crackle?

To elaborate a little more, the issue has unfortunately been going on for quite some time. I've had the amp back into the shop that originally carried out the repairs (who actually did a very job) on more than two occasions now and one of those times along with the turntable and speakers as well.

They have assured me that they have been unable to identify anything that could be causing the pops or gurgling sounds but I do feel that perhaps they are not carrying out the more in depth test needed which is basically just to leave the system on long enough to hear them. Reading the previous Armstrong 521 thread has at least put my mind at rest that it is not my imagination!

Final question and I ask this with a degree of trepidation. One night I had some friends over and one of them accidentally plugged his MP3 player into the phono port rather than the one for external inputs. A large part of me thinks that it's since then that the problems first started occurring. That being said I've also been informed that if this was source of the issue it would have blown out the phono port entirely rather than causing just 'partial' damage. If anyone could give any clarification of this either way I would very much appreciate it!

elnorte · 20th May 2017, 8:08 pm

Hey guys, it's been a while since I've visited this thread so thought it might be worthwhile give an update on how things are progressing.

I had the amp in at two additional shops since my last post and both told me that they were able to successfully detect the fault. Unfortunately each of them also informed me that had neither the specific expertise or equipment required to fix such an appliance.

Clearly this is frustrating but the advice offered by the last person I spoke with was to perhaps next take it to an Armstrong specialist. Now while there do not appear to be any in Edinburgh I have found one in London. This of course would mean shipping the item directly to them (while obviously taking the cost of doing so into account) instead of dropping it off in person.

Really I'm just asking if people feel this is an avenue worth pursuing or if there are alternative options worth me considering before doing so then I'd be very interested to hear them.

Here is website for the London shop in case anyone is interested:

http://www.londonsound.org/Armstrongrepairs.htm

Cheers

Ted Kendall · 20th May 2017, 9:45 pm

Mike costs but he's good and offers a guarantee. If you're not inclined to do it yourself, go ahead. It'll be fixed.

29th Mar 2017, 9:08 pm	#1
elnorte Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 5	Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Split from this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=135130 Hi Guys I've only just signed up here to post/ask a question regarding my own Armstrong 521. As chance would have it there was a topic on it right on the front page! However, before I go right into my own specific problem I should first probably ask whether or not it is ok to do so in this thread or if it would be more appropriate to make my own? The main reason I ask is because I have, to put it mildly, nothing like the technical know-how those that those who have previously posted possess so therefore didn't want to hijack or detract from the more advanced discussion. Suffice to say for now that it involves pretty similar issue of random/intermittent (the worst kind I know) distortion, crackle, pops and what could be best described as a loud gurgling sound from the speakers when the phono/record player button is switched to on. Thanks in advance.

30th Mar 2017, 11:26 am	#2
elnorte Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Hello again. Just wanted to clarify one little detail which is that the aforementioned noises occur regardless of whether or not a record is playing. The button on the amp for the turntable simply needs to be set to on for the cracks and pops to be audible albeit in a intermittent basis.

30th Mar 2017, 5:32 pm	#3
Trevor Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 1,082	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Is this at a normal volume setting? What turntable and cartridge are you using? Do any other inputs effect the amplifier in the same way? Is it on both channels? Trev.

30th Mar 2017, 9:59 pm	#5
Pamphonica Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Water, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,877	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records It's always worthwhile applying some switch cleaner to those push-button switch banks. I have had a number of 521s and switch cleaning always helped. You can get Servisol "Super 10" cleaner aerosols from Maplin. The other thing to clean is the edge connectors on each board and their respective sockets. These definitely can get crackly. Otherwise it's on to full-scale diagnosis, as per Trevor's response. These amps are very nice-sounding and I'm sure you will be able to get them back into full fettle with a bit of help from the forum gurus. Jeremy __________________ Jeremy, G8MLK, BVWTVM Friend, VMARS, BVWS Secretary. www.pamphonic.co.uk www.bttt.org.uk

31st Mar 2017, 10:10 pm	#6
elnorte Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Thank you for the advice. I shall certainly look to acquire some of the Servisol you mention. Excuse my ignorance but can you tell me the best way to apply it to the switches and whether further cleaning of the edge connectors that you mention would require opening the amp up? First off as a quick aside is it normal for this make of amp to have a standard low hum regardless of any additional pops or crackle? To elaborate a little more, the issue has unfortunately been going on for quite some time. I've had the amp back into the shop that originally carried out the repairs (who actually did a very job) on more than two occasions now and one of those times along with the turntable and speakers as well. They have assured me that they have been unable to identify anything that could be causing the pops or gurgling sounds but I do feel that perhaps they are not carrying out the more in depth test needed which is basically just to leave the system on long enough to hear them. Reading the previous Armstrong 521 thread has at least put my mind at rest that it is not my imagination! Final question and I ask this with a degree of trepidation. One night I had some friends over and one of them accidentally plugged his MP3 player into the phono port rather than the one for external inputs. A large part of me thinks that it's since then that the problems first started occurring. That being said I've also been informed that if this was source of the issue it would have blown out the phono port entirely rather than causing just 'partial' damage. If anyone could give any clarification of this either way I would very much appreciate it!

20th May 2017, 8:08 pm	#7
elnorte Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Hey guys, it's been a while since I've visited this thread so thought it might be worthwhile give an update on how things are progressing. I had the amp in at two additional shops since my last post and both told me that they were able to successfully detect the fault. Unfortunately each of them also informed me that had neither the specific expertise or equipment required to fix such an appliance. Clearly this is frustrating but the advice offered by the last person I spoke with was to perhaps next take it to an Armstrong specialist. Now while there do not appear to be any in Edinburgh I have found one in London. This of course would mean shipping the item directly to them (while obviously taking the cost of doing so into account) instead of dropping it off in person. Really I'm just asking if people feel this is an avenue worth pursuing or if there are alternative options worth me considering before doing so then I'd be very interested to hear them. Here is website for the London shop in case anyone is interested: http://www.londonsound.org/Armstrongrepairs.htm Cheers

20th May 2017, 9:45 pm	#8
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,670	Re: Armstrong 521 noise when playing records Mike costs but he's good and offers a guarantee. If you're not inclined to do it yourself, go ahead. It'll be fixed.