Rowe CD 100

[willymotts]

I just brought home a Rowe CD100 but I can't get much sound. The disc plays and if you are very quiet, you can hear the tiniest of sound coming out. The manual says to unplug the mute plug but I can't find it! Help with this and any other direction is appreciated.

[KenLayton]

First of all here are some basic things to check:

Is machine's internal volume control (the one sticking out the back of the cabinet next to the reject switch) hooked up properly?

Are the machine's internal speakers configured properly on the output transformer terminal strip? There should be a black wire connected to one of the "E1" terminals. A pink wire of one channel should be connected to an "E6" terminal. A purple wire of the other channel should be connected to the other "E6" terminal.

Is the amplifier known to be good? If you pull the amplifier out and flip it over, are any of the fuses on the two driver boards blown?

Is the 13 pin jumper plug present on your amplifier and is it plugged in correctly? It's not keyed and can be plugged in backwards by mistake.

Are all connectors plugged in on the amplifier?

[willymotts]

I checked everything you suggested and no change. The amp SEEMS good because when you plug in the box, you hear the thump of the power coming on in the speakers. Where to next, Ken, or anybody? Thanks.

[KenLayton]

The "volume control" connector on the amplifier is another connector that's not keyed and can be plugged in wrong.

If the amplifier's output transistors go 'open circuit' the volume will be very low and/or distorted. Several electrolytic capacitors on the amplifier's circuit boards are failing from old age and will drop the output considerably. If you have a friend with a similar model try swapping your amplifier into his to see how it sounds.

The speaker crossover network which is bolted to the sidewall of the amplifier compartment develops bad solder joints which affect sound output to the speakers. Frequently the large choke coils break loose from the solder due to their weight and cabinet vibration.

[willymotts]

Ken, thanks. Now at least I have some place else to look. I'll reflow some solder, meter the transistors and check the volume plug. In the meantime, I'll also watch ebay for a new amp. I appreciate your advice.

[willymotts]

I'm down to the amp. Coils have been reflowed and all checks out OK there. I took an old stereo with RCA jacks and ran the CD unit into it. I get sound! So, that means everything to the amp is good and the amp is bad. Now I have to troubleshoot that. Gettin' there....

[willymotts]

Q2 and Q17 give different readings on the ohms than the other transistors. I assume that they are bad. Would this be something that I can get from Mouser? I guess I should also keep checking stuff but I am basically, so far, just a re-cap guy. I really don't know what I'm looking for but I sure am excited about getting this thing working. Any suggestions on where or what else to look for? Thanks.

[KenLayton]

A & B Jukebox repair specializes in repairing Rowe jukebox components. Ship your amplifier to them for repair.

http://www.abjukeboxrepair.com/

[willymotts]

Ken - Thanks. Works like a charm, now. Appreciate the help. (I guess I'll have to sell the Seeburg 45s box now!)