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Can Static Destroy Electronics?

The Story —
I had been listening to records all night, no issues. I put on an album by Junip, brushed the album with my anti static brush, and went to lift the tone arm by the tone arm lift when I heard a loud static pop. Volume was about 30% up. After which, there is no sound in my right channel.
I think the issue is at the output of the phono preamp, because:

- When I switch the L and R input cables at the phono preamp, the left speaker still plays (the R signal stuff), and the right speaker stays silent (meaning the right input must be working)
- When I switch the L and R phono preamp output cables, the right speaker plays the L signal, and the left speaker is silent (meaning the right channel all the way up the chain from the speaker through the signal is working)

So...did static electricity blow my right phono output?

*System*
Thiel 3.6
Mccormack DNA-1
Mccormack ALD-1
Dynavector P-75
Technics SL-1200 mkII
Dynavector 10x5
128x128heyitsmedusty

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Oh wow.. That’s a bit of news... If you think discharge is an issue. Set up a discharge pad. Touch the pad, don’t shuffle your feet and do your work.. The only proper way to eliminate the problem.. I’ve done a LOT of board level repair.. Just 101 for infant mortality on IC..

I really think something else is going on.. same side? I normally repair one or two circuits before and after. I check, pretty darn close..

Dip switch failure? What the heck caused that.. what is the switch for? Cart load?

STOP... something else is wrong..Spidey senses are all fired up..Something else is going on...

Regards..
Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Usually static discharge caused problems in IC. Normally improper handling, while being installed, or inspected. Important to understand, it use to be a problem with brand new IC or pretty close.. The static discharge while building testing bagging and on and on.. Everytime it is handled improper the situation can arise...and raise it’s head LATER.

If static discharge were happening to logic boards INSIDE because of YOU touching them without discharging FIRST. Id say you could see a problem later on.. Usually it shortens the life of ICs.. Chips, bios, Eproms that type of chip is VERY susceptible. Caps, resistors, inductors, that lot, not that I’ve ever seen. The question is, does your stuff have chips or pure analog..

Did lightning strike.. did you hear and feel a discharge? from you to the tonearm, headshell, or something like that?

If not.. That POP just happened to be that components swan song..
You just happened to be there when it happened.. NEVER discount a transient pop for anything but trouble...TURN the volume down always...

Hope you find the issue, and it’s not to spendy.. 2 dollar fuse, two dollar resistor.. :-)

Happy Happy..

Regards
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