Need advice on the source of good pot (s)...

jackman · « **on:** 7 Mar 2003, 08:27 pm »

I just bought an older Onkyo integrated from the late 70's with a frozen potentiometer (spelling?). I took the top off this beast and was very impressed with the insides. Very large transformer and large output caps, however the stereo pots need replacing. Does anyone know where I can get a stereo pot for a decent price? I'm not looking for top of the line stuff, this is for a friend who doesn't have much $$$. Also, there are lots of wires and I'm not sure where everything goes. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The model is A-5 if that helps.

Thanks!

J

mvwine · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 08:39 pm »

Do you know the value? partsexpress.com has a selection of cheap pots, but you'll need to know the value.

Darren Thomas · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 09:31 pm »

Uh, dude, I think you got the wrong board. You might want to try Mary Jane Discussion forum

Sorry, couldn't pass it up.

Darren

mojoman · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Mar 2003, 09:53 pm »

Take US Air to Jamacia. Take the shuttle bus to Sandals at Dunns River Falls. Walk down to the beach and go through the opening in the chain link fence.

MaxCast · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 04:24 am »

Jman, what else did you expect with a title like that?

Wish I could help.........with the electronics and all.

jackman · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 01:11 am »

Any suggestions? I posed the question in a kind've goofy way, but it's dead serious. I need to fix this thing...

Thanks!

J

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 01:20 am »

Not sure what you consider a decent price, but the next step up from carbon track pots is usually the Alps or Nobel pots, which run $40 or so. They're sold by (at least) Michael Percy, Handmade Electronics, and I'm sure other larger places.

I think I would be inclined to just get a pot from RS.

HTH,

JohnR

jackman · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 02:03 am »

Thanks John. Does RS sell stereo pots? I only have one volume control and need a stereo pot with a two inch (or so) post. Thanks!

Jck

JohnR · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 02:23 am »

Hm... I would have thought so but I don't see them on their website

mgalusha · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 03:03 am »

Jackman,

Mouser carries ganged audio taper pots. They are very basic carbon pots but probably just fine for what you need. The only problem I see is the shaft length is only .335" long. You will have to extend it if the original is 2 inches long. It's going to be VERY difficult to find one with a shaft that long. The manufacturers will make them but you have to order a lot of them. This will get you the Mouser catalog page: http://www.mouser.com//index.cfm?handler=fra_pdfset&pdffile=282 The good part is the price. $2.35 each.

Mike

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Mar 2003, 02:14 pm »

Jackman,

I noticed that RS carries 100K stereo pots (audio tapered I believe) for low cost < $10. www.radioshack.com These should work just fine in an Onkyo, but if you want something better look into www.percyaudio.com and download his catalog.

Also, in the Tweaker's Asylum in www.audioasylum.com do a search for
something like "stereo volume pot" and I'm sure you'll find lots of info.

I also have a Bottlehead SweetWhispers stereo stepped attenuator laying around if you are interested.

Good Luck,

Vinnie

jackman · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Mar 2003, 02:14 am »

Thanks Vinnie, I was actually thinking about the Sweet Whispers but I want more options than the twelve steps, plus I'm concerned that someone may reverse the volume all the way and turn it on full blast, blowing my speakers. I'll check rat shack to see what I come up with. I want to keep it below $20 or so.

Thanks!

J

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Mar 2003, 03:24 am »

Quote from: jackman

Thanks Vinnie, I was actually thinking about the Sweet Whispers but I want more options than the twelve steps, plus I'm concerned that someone may reverse the volume all the way and turn it on full blast, blowing my speakers. I'll check rat shack to see what I come up with. I want to keep it below $20 or so.

Thanks!

J

I hear ya. Rat Shack is probably your best bet for lost cost and I'm sure it will do the trick. I doubt the original pot was high quality to begin with, but I could be wrong.

Be careful to make sure the pins are the same as the original (IN, OUT, and GND pins for each channel). Give us a yell if you need help.

-Vinnie

jackman · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Mar 2003, 03:33 am »

That will be the challenge. Some of the wires are disconnected. The original pot is not that high quality but the rest of this thing is. The output caps and the transformer are very nice. Very large and high quality. This thing is from the late 70's and very heavy. IT's not the recent vintage of Malaysian made crap that is polluting the market.
J