2. analog
  3. 162945-4089

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
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Yes, the turntable is grounded to the phono preamp. 
And I can’t as readily troubleshoot/repair the PCB on the Dynavector P-75 since it has surface mount components rather than through-hole. 
Any other theories? I bought it used, should I send to Dynavector?
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Yes static electricity can damage gear.  Has happened to me and audio friends of mine. Dry, cold winters walking across a carpet and touching your stereo can indeed cause circuit board damage.  I use a wooden knob on my preamp now! 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,838 posts
 
Very sensitive digital can be effective by static especially in carpeting in the winter where the static is strongest and air  is drier, also  depending on grounding. I have found.
isprat static spray on the rug in front of the stereo in the winter 
it is very effective .
tom_hankins
928 posts
 
Absolutely yes it can X 2
I always mute my preamp, and touch something metal nearby before changing records this time of year. 
raysmtb1's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
raysmtb1
792 posts
 
I thought that was the reason for proper grounding...that the chassis directs it back to earth before it ruins anything expensive 
More to discover