In article , kake
wrote:

"kake" wrote in message
...
I am using Quad 34 & 606 II amplification with a Marantz CD40, Denon
TU260L,
and Epos ES11 speakers. While I am happy with the performance of the
amplification, I am having problems with the volume settings.

SNIP

Since posting my query, I found a copy of the 34 manual on the net, and
it mentions increasing or decreasing the output of the pre-amp; I
suspect that the unit I have has had its output increased. As far as I
know, the 34 I have has never been serviced, and as I am totally useless
with a soldering iron, I think I may return it to Quad for servicing
(and confirmation of the current output), then getting them to adjust it
as necessary - seems like a better way of spending some money!! (£113
for a cable!!!!).

Not going to comment on the cable... ;-

OK. If you are not confident with a soldering iron and suspect the output
level has been altered, then sending it back to Quad may well be best.

Above said, my understanding is that, by default, 34's were sold with their
(internal) output attenuator set to be what Quad felt is suitable for their
own poweramps (0.5V standard). If your 34 is to this, I am not certain they
would alter it to give a *lower* output. Might be worth your while phoning
them before sending the 34 back and discussing the situation with them,
describing the symptoms of your problem.

It is possible to buy in-line attenuators which you can simply plug in as
extensions to your cables. However I can't suggest one as I can't find an
example in the data I have to hand. These may do the trick for you, though,
and should only cost a few pounds.

BTW, Is the current Quad service department as good as it was reputed to
be under Walker ownership?

Can't comment on that. I sent a 67 back for a service a couple of year ago,
and that was done promptly and effectively. However they may have changed
since for all I know. In one way they are *not* as good as they used to in
that they no longer are happy to send out copies of the service manual to
users. Big change from the old days when Quad user manuals always came with
the circuit diagrams! Then, any Quad user was assumed to either be
technically literate, or would find such info interesting/comforting. Now
they assume users should not be 'trusted' with such info.

Also, on average (if there is such a thing), how often should
electronics require servicing?

I would say there isn't really an average. Depends too much on what unit,
how it was built, and how it has been used. For an amplifier like a 34 I'd
expect it to work cheerfully for decades unless it develops a specific
fault or is dropped on its head. Hence if your 34 sounds fine, it is
doubtful it would need a 'check up'. Some components do slowly degrade with
time, but one of the main culprits in the past has been mechanical
switches, and the 34 avoids that problem to a large extent by using
'electronic' signal switching.

FWIW I have two 34's. One being an early 'DIN socketed' version. I've
modified them in various ways, but the original components all seem OK to
me, and I'd suspect this is fairly typical for the 34.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond with such detailed
suggestions - very much appreciated.

Happy to be of some help. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

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