Problem with Squeezebox2 - help

Builder Brad · « **on:** 28 May 2008, 07:35 am »

HELP!

I have a RWA modded Squeezebox2 which is broken - I am gutted as the sound quality on this unit is awesome.

The output on both L+R channels is distorted by what sounds like static which rises and falls in time with the music. This modulated static starts off quieter at the beginning of tracks and quickly builds within 10-15 seconds to overwhelm the music - it also seems worse when playing low frequencies.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I am quite happy playing around inside the unit, after all its broken already, so I cant make it any worse.

Brad

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 May 2008, 01:12 pm »

Anything change in your system? Is it in a new room, did you have a power surge, etc...? Have you plugged in to another system, as something else might be the culprit? Before opening this thing, you might wanna look into those options. Simple stuff first.

Do you have an oscilloscope? Are you using it just for digital or analog as well?

For me, designing from the ground up is easy. Repairing is an entirely different ball of wax. So if it comes down to the fact that the SB2 is at fault, ask Wayne at Bolder if he can help. His pricing is very fair, and he sends it back real quick. And, heh, I'm a seasoned DIY'er with too many other projects, so a guy like Wayne is a plus even though I could've done the mods on my own.

FWIW,
Anand.

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 May 2008, 02:25 pm »

I have no clue, I'd just start poking around testing different things, trying to eliminate possibilities until I narrowed it down to a few things. An o-scope would help. Anand's advice is good. You could try to ask Vinnie or Wayne for assistance or send it to them for repair.

I don't know what it could be, but given the symptoms, I'd suspect a bad solder joint or bad active component. But that is as little as I know.

Do you have a problem with the digital output as well as analog? If digital isn't affected but analog is, you know the input circuitry (everything prior to the DAC) is ok, which eliminates quite a bit. The rest would be easier to snoop around in as it is analog and you could probe with a scope.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 May 2008, 04:46 pm »

Brad,

Off hand, I would say to look at the 5 volt line that feeds the analog section of the DAC chip.

If you cannot find the problem, I would be happy to look at it for you. Send it over and I'll let you know what I find and the costs before I do any work.

Good luck,

Wayne

Builder Brad · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 May 2008, 05:25 pm »

That was quick!

thank-you all for the pointers. There are some good tips here - I can check the digital out easily and then go from there. Wayne, you may be nearer to the mark than you think and in line with Joshs comments re poss solder joints - the DAC was swapped out for the KE version by Vinnie, so that has got to be worth a look.

Posiedon..., nothing has changed except the SB was left for a couple of months unused.

will keep you all posted.

Brad

Builder Brad · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 May 2008, 08:34 pm »

well,

I tried to see if my external DAC would lock onto the signal from the SB2 and ..... nothing

So I guess I am stuck as the pre-DAC circuits are considerably more involved to diagnose.

Brad

gitarretyp · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 May 2008, 10:22 pm »

Before you start disassembly, have you tried doing a software reset (press and hold "1" while power-cycling) or return to factory settings (press and hold "add" while power-cycling)?

Builder Brad · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Jun 2008, 10:26 pm »

Gitarretyp,

go to the top of the class!

problem solved.

now Ive got the thing working another problem with Squeezenetwork has come up, but someone at Slim devices is working on that.

Brad