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Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?

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Posted on July 9, 2011 at 09:39:10
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
A Blue-Alps volume pot (as fitted to an ARC pre-amp) has become noisey when the knob is operated thru the three minimum notches (all other notches are fine). (1) Could cleaning with a contact-cleaner eliminate this minor problem? Specifically, where would I spray the 'cleaner, on a Blue-Alps? (Wouldn't want to muck-up anything). Or do I need to replace the pot. (2) If I do need to replace the pot, can I use a tranny-based attenuator instead, and how difficult would this mod be?

 

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RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:33:45
Mike B.
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Posts: 26323
Location: OR
Joined: September 27, 1999
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  Since:
September 1, 1999
I would replace it. Alps Blue's are fairly inexpensive. In my experience contact sprays only help for a short amount of time.

 

RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 10:51:19
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
Yeah, I know they're reasonably priced. I'm considering my options, and that's the one I'd least like to implement. If it can be cleaned, I'd prefer to try that first. If the problem returns, as you suggest, then I'd prefer to upgrade to a tranny-based attenuator, if possible. So, to be on the safe side, I'd like to know where to spray the 'cleaner on the Blue-Alps. And I'd also like to know what a tranny-based att.-mod would entail, if that's feasible. Thanks for the headz-up though, Mike B!

 

No Flash...., posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:04:46
wheezer
Audiophile

Posts: 4309
Joined: January 24, 2001
Then have a look at No Flash. I've had excellent results on switches and Vpots. Unlike Deoxit.

 

I have the blue Alps on my CJ pv10, and use......., posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:07:28
91% alcohol to clean it. After its cleaned/rinsed with alcohol I spray a small amount of Caig on it. I've found the method described below to provide the best and longest lasting results.

First you need to open up your preamp and put a couple layers of paper towels or something absorbent underneath the Alps pot. Unscrew the 2 screws on the back of the Alps and take off the plastic back. When you've done that, turn your volume knob a few times and you'll see what moves on the pot inside the pre. Carefully rinse the part of the Alps that moves with alcohol - paper towels underneath.

I pour alcohol, then turn the volume knob, repeat a couple times. Then I clean/dry spillage and wait a few minutes to make sure everything is dry. Then I spray a small amount of Caig on the moving part of the Alps, vigorously turn the volume knob back & forth, clean any spillage and I'm done. Put the top of your pre back on and your ready to go.

Its somewhat of a PITA, but definitely provides better results than just spraying Caig on the pot, and sure as hell far superior to just spraying from the outside.

 

RE: I have the blue Alps on my CJ pv10, and use......., posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:34:37
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
Rick W, this is exactly the sort of specifics I was looking for. I'll definitely try it. Thanks.

Wheezer, I'm not sure I can find 'No Flash' where I'm at, but I'll look into it. Thanks for the advice.

Now all I need is advice on my second option regarding the tranny-based upgrade. (The attraction, for me, is the potential for even more clarity than, the already high quality, Blue-Alps delivers - perhaps I'm greedy).

 

RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:37:24
Mike B.
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Posts: 26323
Location: OR
Joined: September 27, 1999
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  Since:
September 1, 1999
as with any mod, space can be the limiting factor on parts swaps. Check out Bent Audio's website. They do transformer and high quality stepped attenuators. Also look into LDR type attenuators. Good luck whichever way you end up going.

 

RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 11:47:04
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
Will-do, on the Bent and LDR. As for space-constraints, an out-board option would suit me fine. (In fact, if there's a potential for a significant improvement to the high level of performance I already have, I'll consider anything, even placement on my head, if necessary, LOL). Thanks again, Mike B.

 

RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 14:31:41
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 2407
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
I replaced my noisy Alps with a Precision Electronics pot. It is not expensive and is of very high quality. It is what many of the DIYers use.

 

RE: Noisey Blue-Alps Pot - What's the Solution?, posted on July 9, 2011 at 15:28:12
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
The PEC pot is very interesting, Palustris. But in so far as variable resistors are concerned, I may as well stick with Blue-Alps, if only to keep W. Zane Johnson happy. My consideration of transformer-based attenuators is dependent on whether they actually offer a significant increase in clarity (which I don't severely lack, at the moment, to be honest). If my investigations prove those don't offer such an increase either, then Blue-Alps will prevail - whether replaced, or just cleaned. Thanks for the advice, nevertheless - I sure 'preciate it!

 

RE: Not greedy, Blue Alps pots suck. Seriously., posted on July 9, 2011 at 17:54:57
The Alps is widely used because it's cheap (buying one direct from ARC isn't cheap, tho')and and has decent channel balance. Period.


If you remove the knobs, then the screws that hods the board all the way across the inside front of early ArcS: Ls-1s and such, you can pry back the board enough to get a soldering iron on the six pot connections and remove it. Now snip the first loop from each of the solder pins of a TKD pot and solder short lengths of no more than 22 ga wire to the remining loop. Solder these six in the same order/position as the Alps and replace everything. Huge upgrade.

Or follow the Alps removal with a 50K resistor and run the output to your transformer.

 

RE: Not greedy, Blue Alps pots suck. Seriously., posted on July 9, 2011 at 19:36:15
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
Amioutaline, I did a few quick checks on TKD pots - used by Audio-Note, Lamm, etc., huge upgrade over Alps in DIY projects too - you may have a point, there. Thanks for the heads-up. Thanks a million!

 

Yes, and you can read similar praise for the PEC mentioned above. Do a Search on Tube/DIY. nt, posted on July 10, 2011 at 07:41:40
nt

 

RE: Yes, and you can read similar praise for the PEC mentioned above. Do a Search on Tube/DIY. nt, posted on July 10, 2011 at 09:40:00
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
O.K.

 

Almost any grease will fix it, posted on July 10, 2011 at 13:50:09
Victor Khomenko
Manufacturer

Posts: 55296
Joined: April 5, 2000
Once you have it apart, apply grease to the resistive element, and turn it a few times.


 

RE: Almost any grease will fix it, posted on July 10, 2011 at 14:07:50
waj4all
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Joined: October 26, 2010
Thanks!

 

If posters say the Alps Blue is so bad?, posted on July 10, 2011 at 17:30:21
Des
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Posts: 2110
Location: Great Barrier Reef
Joined: August 3, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
August 2, 2000

How come Shindo use them?

Des

 

RE: If posters say the Alps Blue is so bad?, posted on July 10, 2011 at 19:04:55
If true...kinda makes you wonder about paying $12,000 for a simple design?

 

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