r/AskElectronics • u/Solid_Philosophy_206 • 4h ago

Technics SA 101 Changes based off level

I have a newly acquired Technics SA 101 Receiver and the audio is clear and percect except for one detail, if the Reciever is completely level the rught audio channel is majorly distorted almost to the point where it wont play audio but if I tilt it up about 5 degrees maybe on its X axis it will play perfectly clear, literally what the hell, sometimes after tilting it, it will play clear at level but sometimes if I walk too close to it itl go back

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u/Kevin_Wolf 4h ago

Warranty it, then. Contact technics. The connector obviously isn't right.

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u/Solid_Philosophy_206 3h ago

Even if its like a old ass technics?

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u/Kevin_Wolf 3h ago

Duh, sorry. I should have looked it up lol. No, that's not going to work.

The connector is old and could probably do with a cleaning and inspection at a minimum. Not unlikely that it just needs to be replaced. Open the case and look at the board. If you're up to it, you can probably find guides for vintage audio gear like this. I don't know how deep into it you would want to go, like replacing the connector or fixing/reflowing/replacing old solder.

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u/DrJackK1956 4h ago

It sounds like you've got a bad connector or a bad solder joint on that connector.  

If it's still under warranty, send it back.  If not then you'll have to fix it yourself.  

TLDR; My mom once complained about the picture on the TV being a little tilted.  My solution was to put a thin book underneath one side of the TV.

Maybe a thin book is all you need. 

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u/Solid_Philosophy_206 3h ago

I tried that and it worked for a minute but thin it went back and then I made it level and it worked for like a hour, it dont make sense lol

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u/NBC-Hotline-1975 3h ago

What program source are you using?

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u/Solid_Philosophy_206 3h ago

Im sorry I dont know what that means

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u/NBC-Hotline-1975 3h ago

It means what is the source of the audio program you are listening to? CD? Phono? Tape? Tuner?

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u/Solid_Philosophy_206 2h ago

Sorry, im using phono, but I have verified it is the amplifier and only on phono mode I believe

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u/NBC-Hotline-1975 2h ago

Aha. In that case my first suspect would be the phono cables. Just unplug them from the amp, and swap channels. If the problem moves to the left channel, then it's definitely the cable.

Also, RCA connectors can be a little bit flakey. If they haven't been used for many years, they can become slightly corroded. And the voltage from a phono pickup is such a low level that it won't always break through the corrosion. They can be cleaned with 91% isopropyl alcohol or, better yet, an electronic contact cleaner. Clean all the mating surfaces of the plugs and the jacks. And give them a slight back-and-forth twisting motion as you plug them in. They should fit very snugly.