Is Smoking Really That Bad For Audio Equipment?


I have my friends over periodically, and some of them smoke. At the moment, I ask them to go outside to have a cigarette because I'm concerned that smoke will be bad for stereo equipment. I don't worry much about the smell because I have hardwood floors and minimal furniture, so there's not much to trap the smell. Does cigarette smoke damage speakers or does it get into audio equipment and leave residue on electrical connections, etc? I am curious whether there have been any incidents where cigarette smoke actually harmed someone's equipment?
firecracker_77

Showing 2 responses by topanga

I purchased a pair of Audio Research Reference 300 Mono amps used form a dealer. I knew the dealer and the previous owner very well so I felt OK about the used purchase. After about 3 weeks of enjoyment I went to turn on one of the Mono amps and BOOM it sparked, smoked and scared the daylights out of me.

I sent them back to Audio Research for repair and they told me there was so much tar and nicotine on the boards that because I leave near the ocean and on a damp day, which it was, that residue on the boards was conductive and shorted out the Amp. He said he would try to clean up the amp but could not be sure of the success.

The previous was very good with his gear, a real audiophile. However he smoked alot of cigars when he listened to music and watched TV and his wife smoked cigaretts. It was a true smoking household.

I will be careful in the future when buying gear in regards to smoke.

PS I decided to upgrade the amps to MK II which gave new insides so I would avoid future problems.
I purchased a pair of Audio Research Reference 300 Mono amps used form a dealer. I knew the dealer and the previous owner very well so I felt OK about the used purchase. After about 3 weeks of enjoyment I went to turn on one of the Mono amps and BOOM it sparked, smoked and scared the daylights out of me.

I sent them back to Audio Research for repair and they told me there was so much tar and nicotine on the boards that because I leave near the ocean and on a damp day, which it was, that residue on the boards was conductive and shorted out the Amp. He said he would try to clean up the amp but could not be sure of the success.

The previous owner was very good with his gear, a real audiophile. However he smoked alot of cigars when he listened to music and watched TV and his wife smoked cigaretts. It was a true smoking household.

I will be careful in the future when buying gear in regards to smoke.

PS I decided to upgrade the amps to MK II which gave new insides so I would avoid future problems.