Poorhouse Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have a pair of 1981 Cornwalls with all original parts, including the B2 crossover. I am getting occasional speaker cut out at very low volume. Researching this it appears the problem is due to the crossover being worn out. I plan to replace the original crossovers with Crites replacements. Want to confirm I am on the right track before dropping $200. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 The entire sound cuts out? Speaker relay in amplifier. One driver? Push-on connectors for that driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorhouse Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Both issues. Ususally one speaker only will cut out, but today both have been cutting out. Taking the volume to 0 then back up will sometimes bring them back on, or taking the balance back and forth, or hitting mute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 did you try a different amplifier. it does not sound like a crossover problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorhouse Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Don't have another amp. I do have another set of speakers though. I've had the spare set playing for the last couple hours, no cutting out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Remove the backs and then loosen and then re-tighten the screws going into the terminal block on the back. Loosen and then re-tighten all the screws on the network. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorhouse Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Thanks I'll give that a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I think you have dirty controls. Get some DeOxit contact cleaner, spray it into those controls (into the holes of the potentiometer casings and into the switch mechanisms), and work the controls round and round, up and down, in and out, or however they move... for a few minutes. Sometimes you have to do this every day for a few days to get everything all clean and clear. It won't hurt to re-tighten the crossover connections and all the screws on the barrier strip. It certainly wouldn't hurt to get Bob's networks, either; I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 hows the trouble shooting going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorhouse Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Both sets of speakers cutting in and out. The Cornwalls do it more though which seems odd. The tech I plan on using confirmed the consensus here that the amps need cleaning/service. Now I'm debating which to send in for service, Yamaha CR2020 or Pioneer SX1250. I think I will go ahead and get the Crites crossovers. When I bought the Cornwalls a few months ago I posted them up here. It was recommended to replace the crossovers due to age (30 years). The Crites website says the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Glad to hear your tech is on the case. Actually, it makes sense that the problem might happen more with the Cornwalls; they may be much more sensitive than your other speakers and use much less signal level. Dirty contacts in the pots and switches can act to block a low level signal only to be overcome when the contact is broken and remade or when the level is boosted (why jumping up the volume control or flipping the switches may suddenly allow the signal to pass). For what its worth, I developed a habit a long time ago of giving all the knobs, levers, switches, and buttons a cycle or two of rotation, flipping, activation, and depression before each time I turned on the piece of gear (I started doing this with my tube amps I use as a guitarist to prevent the controls from sounding scratchy). On vintage HiFi gear you will have a lot of controls you may never use like balance, mute, filters, tape monitor, stereo/mono, speaker selection, maybe tone controls, etc. All these things are in the signal path and if not used for long periods of time they can become a source of noise or cause dropouts. The same habit of ritualistically working all these controls before use can help keep them clear for a long time. Both of your receivers are top notch, what many vintage enthusiasts consider their ultimate dream gear. Good idea to let the tech service and clean them - they both have more switches and controls than some small nuclear facilities - definitely a job for a pro. My vote would be for servicing the Pioneer first. It "may" sound a bit better tonal match than the Yamaha on the Cornwalls . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Run all the switches and controls first. Loudness and balance controls on a Yamaha will make it cut out. The relay is always a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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