So Close...Yet So Far [resolved]

[anthonynchandler]

Okay...sorry for being slow on this procedure. Hmmm, so if I measure AC volts just on the end of the source RCA then the number ranges a lot. I definitely do not get a simple number.
Maybe it helps me if I know where to place the red and black probes for each measurement.

If I connect my red probe to the centre pin of the red rca on the signal cord and touch the black probe to the outer sleeve of the same rca, then I get .809

Thanks, Ken!
Even though these probably mean nothing as I have no reference, this is what I got.


RCA 1 -  0.685

RCA 2 - 0.808

RCA 3 - 0.807

RCA 4 - 0.804

RCA 5 - 0.  when I go to ground, but 0.857 when just the red probe

[Paul Birkeland]

OK, so now you can plug the RCA plugs into the Moreplay.  I would put them in input #2.  Start with the selector switch set to 1 or 3, then measure the AC voltage across each RCA jack on input 2.  (Black probe on shell, red probe on the center pin for each jack). 

If you still see about 0.8V, then put the selector switch on input 2 and recheck.

If you still see about 0.8V, then measure the AC volts between ground in the amp and the red wire leaving the selector switch, as well as ground in the amp and the white wire leaving the selector switch (ground in the amp is any black wire on either the balance pot or ground pot).

If you still see about 0.8V, then measure the AC voltage at each of the middle lugs of the balance pot with the balance pot about centered.  It will be less than 0.8V. 

None of these tests require the Moreplay to be powered up, and I'd suggest leaving the power cord unplugged for now since it just isn't necessary.

-PB

[anthonynchandler]

Paul,
With the input going into Input 2, here are my cacophony of readings. Not sure if this helps us at all   


Selector Switch to 1
Input 1
Red 85v
Black 73V

Input 2
Red 0.8V
Black 0.8V

Input 3
Red 0V
Black 0V

Selector Switch to 2
Input 1
Red 60V
Black 143V

Input 2
Red 0.8V
Black 0.8V

Input 3
Red 107V
Black 0.8V

Selector Switch to 3
Input 1
Red 0V
Black 0V

Input 2
Red 0.8
Black 0.8

Input 3
Red 115V
Black It builds to 125 and ranges a lot

•   AC volts between ground in the amp and the red wire leaving the selector switch. 0V
•   ground in the amp and the white wire leaving the selector switch 0V
•   AC voltage at each of the middle lugs of the balance pot with the balance pot about centered. 0V

[Paul Birkeland]

Input 2
Red 0.8V
Black 0.8V

This is what we want.

•   AC volts between ground in the amp and the red wire leaving the selector switch. 0V
•   ground in the amp and the white wire leaving the selector switch 0V
•   AC voltage at each of the middle lugs of the balance pot with the balance pot about centered. 0V

Is this with the selector set on input #2?

[anthonynchandler]

I believe so, but I can confirm shortly.

[anthonynchandler]

No, the selector must not have been on 2

Here are the current readings

•   AC volts between ground in the amp and the red wire leaving the selector switch. 0801V
•   ground in the amp and the white wire leaving the selector switch 0.801V
•   AC voltage at each of the middle lugs of the balance pot with the balance pot about centered. 

Bottom Center      0.707V
Top Center    407V

[Paul Birkeland]

You have 407V coming out of the selector switch? Hopefully that's 0.407 and 0.707, that's about 5dB off, but the bigger deal is that the signal is present at the output of the volume pot. 

Next you will want to do this same testing but measure on pins 5 and 6 on each 8 pin socket. Assuming you still see about the same readings there, then you'd power up the Moreplay and measure the AC voltages at terminals 9 and 19 with the signal playing into the preamp.

[anthonynchandler]

Paul,
No sorry. That was my fault with trying to type the numbers when I cannot see the screen with the questions -sigh.

I have 0.807 V on both the red and white wires off of the selector.

[anthonynchandler]

Paul,

5/6 on the A channel is 0.632V, but on the B channel I am getting that same 535V on the 5/6 [and it is 535V versus 0.535V]

On terminal 9 it is 3.746V.  and on terminal 19 it is 2.964V

[anthonynchandler]

Still no resolution on getting sound of my Moreplay, but it certainly looks nice next to my Crack build.

Any more ideas on what I might check next to see why sound does not appear?

Many thanks!
Anthony

[Paul Birkeland]

Paul,

5/6 on the A channel is 0.632V, but on the B channel I am getting that same 535V on the 5/6 [and it is 535V versus 0.535V]

On terminal 9 it is 3.746V.  and on terminal 19 it is 2.964V

When you see something like 535V in a kit with a lot less voltage than that present, that tends to indicate a bad solder joint on a ground wire in the amp. 

Terminals 9 and 19 show about 3V of AC signal, and this is the output of the preamp.  Can you turn the volume up all the way on the preamp and run this signal through it again, then report the AC voltages available at 9, 19, and the left and right output jacks?

[anthonynchandler]

Good afternoon Paul,

I went over all of the black wire and ground lug solder points with a resolder, to no avail.

With the signal at full and the preamp volume at full I get

Terminal 9  reads. 3.482V
Terminal 19 reads 2.958V
 
On the output lugs (All 4) I get a 0.0V

I should also mention that if I hook my signal up to the Moreplay and then feed that to my Crack, I can hear the signal in the Crack (both when the Moreplay is on or off; the balance and volume will affect the signal going to the Crack).  It will not send a signal to my amps though.  Sooo I am assuming the signal is just passing through the Moreplay without being amplified? I had a similar moment when I ran the signal through one output jack and out of the other only to realize it was just a U loop  through one to the other! Bah ha ha.

Sorry...I know this seems strange.

Thanks,
Anthony

When you see something like 535V in a kit with a lot less voltage than that present, that tends to indicate a bad solder joint on a ground wire in the amp. 

Terminals 9 and 19 show about 3V of AC signal, and this is the output of the preamp.  Can you turn the volume up all the way on the preamp and run this signal through it again, then report the AC voltages available at 9, 19, and the left and right output jacks?

[Paul Birkeland]

Can I see what the wiring looks like at the volume pot?

I would suspect that the CAT5 leaving the volume pot may have gotten overheated and melted together, which will short out the signal trying to get out of the preamp.

Your preamp is accepting line level signals and amplifying it properly, but it's not getting from the coupling caps to the output jacks. 

[anthonynchandler]

Interesting. Okay, I will send a few images at different angles. If the cat 5 is melted, then is it at the pot or midstream?  Would you suggest stripping those and reatttaching?  I guess what surprises me then would be that both channels are shorting, but then maybe a short anywhere does the same thing to the whole system - ha ha ha.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Paul Birkeland]

If you put the volume pot about in the middle, what are the DC resistances from ground to all of the lugs?