Mike P
Trade: Pickwell Audio
I have a Music First Audio TVC, which sonically I love but the 2 pole 24 step switch that controls the volume has become noisy and unreliable. On some of the most used positions I'm getting the occasional channel dropout and problems with a shifting stereo balance.
I've tried cleaning the switch multiple times with a stray of Servisol Super 10 but I think the time has come for more drastic action, which is something I've been putting off because the complexity of the wiring and soldering that's going to be needed. This very disappointing for such an expensive switch in such an expensive pre amp.
An engineer friend who's opinion I trust told me:
"I have bad experiences with Elma switches. After just under two years, they start to scratch. Ok, they may be cleaned once in a while, but it is a problem to align the levels exactly again afterwards in order to have an even contact resistance over the entire surface. The slider, which works by means of spring pressure, is usually worn out by then. A small sheet metal part. I have written to the Elma sales department several times asking them to send me the slider and springs as spare parts. They have no intention of supplying this wearing part!"
So I'm reluctant to go to all the effort of removing the switch and stripping it all down for a thorough clean if it isn't going to do the trick and I'm also a bit reluctant to buy an another expensive Elma if I'm going to be facing the same problems again in a few years.
I'm interested to hear other peoples experience with high quality switches. What do you have and how reliable has it been?
I've tried cleaning the switch multiple times with a stray of Servisol Super 10 but I think the time has come for more drastic action, which is something I've been putting off because the complexity of the wiring and soldering that's going to be needed. This very disappointing for such an expensive switch in such an expensive pre amp.
An engineer friend who's opinion I trust told me:
"I have bad experiences with Elma switches. After just under two years, they start to scratch. Ok, they may be cleaned once in a while, but it is a problem to align the levels exactly again afterwards in order to have an even contact resistance over the entire surface. The slider, which works by means of spring pressure, is usually worn out by then. A small sheet metal part. I have written to the Elma sales department several times asking them to send me the slider and springs as spare parts. They have no intention of supplying this wearing part!"
So I'm reluctant to go to all the effort of removing the switch and stripping it all down for a thorough clean if it isn't going to do the trick and I'm also a bit reluctant to buy an another expensive Elma if I'm going to be facing the same problems again in a few years.
I'm interested to hear other peoples experience with high quality switches. What do you have and how reliable has it been?