Rowe Ami R-83 Low Volume Need some Help

Hello to all ,
I have a Rowe r-83 for a few years and it was and still is for the most part a perfect example.
A couple of weeks back we had a storm and it may or may not be related but turned it on to play and to my surprise just what appears to be pre-amp volume from top speakers only.

Ok no problem I say as I do fool with repairing radios and other things so I get my manual out and first found I lost the light for the 27 volt supply on the power supply.
Take it out on the bench do my tests and found led diode cooked so I changed it and also the voltage regulator and some transistors in the circuit just for good measure and it was back to normal.

Back together and still same problem. Off to the amp and pulled it to find DS-1 &2 ballast bulbs with broken leads so replaced them... again no problem. Put her back in and still low volume. Pulled the Output transistors and checked out of circut and they check fine too?? Now I am loosing my patience and also still am no more ahead then I was to start??

Any help will be appreciated and always If I can help someone with radio tubes or parts thats what we do!

Thanks!
Rich

Hello Rich,

Welcome to the forum.
We have chattered about this on another forum.
I advised you to use a dual beam scope and a signal generator to check both the pre-amp and driver boards.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Hi Rich,
Just athought--the lamps you replaced--did you use the correct ones ??
Ron Rich

Alan Thanks for all you have sent me I do appreciate the info and to Ron I used GE #1764 which were 28 volt low watt lamps.

I am going to try a tip or two Alan sent but I do not have a signal generator just a dual oscilloscope.I can whip up a signal with some basic stuff for injection.

I was hoping that this was a common fault and someone would give the tip to replace the necessary IC or regulator as in most instances it is usually a common fault but it appears that the answer is to send the defective board or amp to me for repair.

I guess I will have to get a loan of a generator and or through the whole process and as most of us were taught back track the circuits and find the fault.

With so many units with the same problem I thought someone would have an easy fix but then again with my tube radio experience sometime there is no easy fix just blood sweat and tears.
Thanks to you all and please let me know if I can pay back with any old USA schematics or tube diagrams and tubes for any radios or turntables including the rare Zenith Cobra as I have lots to share.

Best to you all and my thanks!!
Rich