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signal balance question

75.166.186.141
Posted on April 18, 2020 at 16:33:19
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 Hello
I have a sansui tu 217 am fm tuner,
I listen to only 2 stations, 88.5 and 90.7,
once in awhile I notice that the left channel is a bit
louder than the right channel.
The other components of my system does not exhibit this quirk.
I have an outdoor circular antenna,in doors. The signal strength meter
shows 4.75 out of 5. The center meter shows centered.
So I am thinking that the tuner does not need aligned.
Could this be poor signal, from a Public (low budget 88.5) station?
The broadcast originates maybe 25 mi away.
The other station (90.7) does not show this attribute,but might
be only 10 miles away.
thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

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RE: signal balance question, posted on April 19, 2020 at 09:51:38
HoosierAudio
Audiophile

Posts: 377
Location: MidWest, USA
Joined: November 28, 2005
 Hi WTS,
Does the anomaly present itself when the tuner is set to MONO?

HA

 

RE: signal balance question, posted on April 19, 2020 at 10:33:46
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 HA
Switching to mono did not make a difference,
does this mean the problem is in my tuner?
thanks, I am displaced hoosier.

 

RE: signal balance question, posted on April 19, 2020 at 18:12:32
HoosierAudio
Audiophile

Posts: 377
Location: MidWest, USA
Joined: November 28, 2005
 WTS,
Have you checked the simple things first?
The interconnect between the tuner and preamp. Pull the IC and reinsert a couple of times, see if that clears it, if NOT
swap the IC L & R wires and see if the problem follows the IC.

Have you cycled all the switches on the tuner?

That unit is pretty straight forward internally. It goes from the HA1196 IC to the RCA's with no intervening buffer. I'd be surprised if its the IC, but its possible.

Post back with what you find and we''ll continue to troubleshoot.

HA

 

RE: signal balance question, posted on April 19, 2020 at 19:45:01
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 ha
I will do all of this tomorrow and report back
thanks for your help

 

RE: signal balance question, posted on April 20, 2020 at 14:19:10
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 HA
I am in the process of checking the IC's.
I noticed that the antenna terminals are both, 75 ohm and 300ohm.
My antenna has a coax output which I am assuming is 75 ohm.
I am using a RCA TV-Matching Transformer VH54, with 300 ohm leads.
I have that connected to the 300 ohm FM inputs on the tuner.
Is this the correct transformer? From High school back in the 60"s,
I installed tv antennas for a local repair shop. I remember we would
use an "FM Trap" sometimes, is that what this transformer actually is?
I can not seem to get a good resistance reading from it.
I am getting a strong signal according to the tuner meters, with the 300 ohm connection.
I see by the users manual that the 75 ohm terminal uses a bare coaxial connection, lead wire and ground braid only.
My Coaxial cable is a Monster cable, gold plated coax connectors at both ends.
I don't really want to snip one connector and try the bare 75 ohm connection unless you think this might be worthwhile.
I am checking the IC also.
thanks

 

RE: signal balance question, posted on April 20, 2020 at 16:29:29
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 Ha
So I have discovered that fm is equivalent to channels 6-7VHF should be ok?

 

Relax, posted on April 20, 2020 at 17:27:38
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 A slight imbalance in output levels is a good application for the balance control on your preamp. Your tuner dates from the late 70's if I'm not mistaken, which means it's at least due if not overdue for recapping. That would cost far more than the tuner is worth. Enjoy the music. If you want perfection, dig deep and get a good 10B or MR-71 (better).

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: Relax, posted on April 20, 2020 at 18:32:55
walkstoslow
Audiophile

Posts: 277
Joined: November 18, 2012
 Bill
Good point, I am using an Adcom SLC 505 passive pre-amp for
more inputs to my integrated amp on the aux input, I will check things out.
As for more expensive, better stuff, my whole life I have tried to make
chicken salad out of chicken sh_t, tweaking is a mania,....
thanks for the input.
I subscribe to Stereophile for the music reviews,the new stuff is out
of my league.
WTS

 

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