2. cables
  3. 1329160413

IC Failure

I recently had a failure in one of a pair of very high-priced, prestigious IC's. It simply has stopped transmitting a signal. I have swapped them out with other IC's in different components and definitely have isolated the problem to the IC. Both IC terminations are intact and solid. Can an IC short out?

Additional info: I just had the caps in my pre upgraded to Teflon, and this failure happened when I tried using my DAC. The suspect IC's ran from DAC to pre. All pre inputs, including CD and DVD, work fine with other IC's.

In almost 40 years of audiophilia I have never had this happen. Thanks for input. Want to hear from the cognoscenti before I go back to manufacturer.

Neal
nglazer

Showing 2 responses by jea48

jea48
4,321 posts
 
More than likely the cable has an open connection.
More than likely at one of the RCA male plug connectors.

Bending the cable too sharply near the end can cause a connection to break free.

If the ends are the type that can be disassembled, carefully take the connector apart and inspect the terminations of the hot signal and return signal ground wires.

You have a 50/50 chance of finding the bad end the first time......
jea48
4,321 posts
 
Touch one lead probe of the meter on the outer shell of one RCA plug, the other meter lead probe on the outer shell of the other RCA plug. You should read continuity.

Do the same test on the center hot pin of the RCA plugs. You should read continuity. Be careful not to come in contact with the outer shell of the RCA plugs so as not to get a false reading. Use a little tape on the lead probes if necessary.

If no reading on one of the tests you have an open connection. Wire is broke or broken off the RCA plug.

To see if there is a short in the cable....

Touch one lead probe to the center pin of an RCA plug and the other test lead to the outer shell of the plug. Make sure the probe you are touching to the center pin does not come in contact with the outer shell of the plug or you will get a false reading.

Continuity indicates a short.....

Repeat the process for the other RCA plug as well.

If the test reveals a short the short may very well be in the wire to RCA plug connection of one of ends.
More to discover