I bought a second hand Inca tech Claymore in 1990 for my 18th birthday. I had listened to many systems with flashing lights, graphics equalisers and with multiple sources built in. But I entered a shop in Toquay owned by a man of few words. His only sales pitch was just listen to it. I remember he had Tannoy speakers and Inca Tech Amps. I could only afford the second hand claymore which was £200. I then had to save for a few months to buy Wharfedale speakers and a Pioneer CD player. It was worth the wait.
Last Sunday I got it out of storage (after about 10 years) and bought a Pro-Ject elemental turntable, I have always wanted to try the phono stage as the man in the shop told me how good it was. I've been meaning to for years. It worked brilliantly for about 30 minutes and then went quiet.... The single 3 amp fuse had blown. Tonight I replaced the fuse hoping it was just the fuse and it blew again instantly.
Now I realise how much it means to me and any advice would be much appreciated on how to repair it.
I am a complete novice with an interest in electronics.
I am trying to build up some basic knowledge by reading posts on this "hope giving" forum. I have already learnt that maybe I should have researched before plugging it in after such a long time in storage.
I am determined to fix it as I have been planning to use it with my old Wharfedale 505.2's and a turntable for years.
I have a nice surround sound system Onkyo nr808 system, but for audio, from memory, my old Inca Tech was amazing.
I really want to confirm this as I have a friend who thinks I will be disappointed.
Dave (Osprey1000) you mention the Claymore and Wharfdale speakers. Which Wharfdales are you using? You may have a female doppleganger here... Suzy6toes here is using a Claymore and Wharfdale Gledale 3XP.
Dave, The amp appears to have a phono stage (silver board marked "phono" in top right of your top pic). Regarding a MC stage specifically I seem to remember my Claymore (currently with Suzy) has a couple of plastic slider switches underneath, on the base-plate to switch between MM and MC phono stages. Does yours have such switches (they'd be on the baseplate directly under the phono board)...?
Hi Claymore owners this early version has no MC and is has Dave says a iss 3, note the 5 way headers in the phono stage. I later did a MC add on PCB. I will check I may have a few from then left when I am a bit better. Also I see I had my paws inside its organ in 1989, since then the selector switch has changed but if it works OK.
This version used a CMOS switch to select inputs so the SW only has to switch 5V not audio. Now for a close up back soon.
This is quite fascinating as I have this amp since 1990, it was second hand then, and it was my 18th birthday present. I never thought I would ever know this sort of info. I might not understand it all but I want to learn. It makes it all the more important to try and repair it.
Is it worth disconnecting the transformer out cables from the main board and then seeing if the fuse blows to check if the problem is transformer side?
I unplugged the wires and the 3 amp fuse blew again. I assume there is a problem with the transformer or the wires connected to it.
The first time it was turned on after the prolonged storage I played a phono source at quite low volume for about half an hour before the sound went and fuse blew. Since then it blows instantly when turned on.
Could the transformer have been damaged by another faulty component?
Could I repair the transformer or is it easy to buy and fit a new one?
Again, thank you Colin and others for your support.
I owned and started Magnum, then Inca Tech and Inca Design, then a part owned TOCA, Oberon, and I started Tellurium Q before it was stolen by the other directors and his wife.
Inca Tech started in my large garage on Canvey Island move to Basildon then into our own factory on Canvey Island.
I see my initials on the PCB which means I possible tested at home in 1989.
Do you have the exact spec of the transformer. Someone at work who sells parts for bulb amps says he has some transformers. I sadly don't have enough knowledge to give him the answers to the simple questions even.
I read in another discussion that you loved the simplicity of the Claymore 1. I'm sure you meant technically which I don't fully understand but when I bought it, I loved the simplicity of just Volume and selector with amazing sound. Other adjustment required a screwdriver! That was what sold it to me.
Is there a need? the last one lasted how long, but on a rethink please power up transformer not plugged into the PCB and tell me the result, there is a possible s/c when the connector are shorted together by plugging into the wrong spades terminal on the PCB.
Whoops you did this already what fuse ? The one in photo look like quick blow it must be slow blow.
Ah OK, it looked like solder and a wire come away in that shot.
Is the transformer confirmed as shorted then? If yes, then I guess you need to make a decision on how much you're willing to spend on it, especially if you're paying for the work to be done. If just the transformer no probs but you may need to find what caused it to fail. That takes us back to Colin's original post...
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If it blowing fuse, it could 1 or few things:-
1) Short circuit transformer
2) Shorted Capacitor
3) Duff MOS FET,s
It could also be a track short circuit from wire or crap.!"
Comments
You've come to the right place.
Wait a while and someone who can help will come by.
I'm Dave BTW. Who are you?
Which Wharfdales are you using?
You may have a female doppleganger here...
Suzy6toes here is using a Claymore and Wharfdale Gledale 3XP.
(Both *on loan* from me I hasten to add. Ahem. )
The amp appears to have a phono stage (silver board marked "phono" in top right of your top pic).
Regarding
a MC stage specifically I seem to remember my Claymore (currently with
Suzy) has a couple of plastic slider switches underneath, on the
base-plate to switch between MM and MC phono stages. Does yours have
such switches (they'd be on the baseplate directly under the phono
board)...?
It's really worth getting the little fella up and running, they're such great amps.
I have a picture on file of an ISS3 fitted with MC boards...
I think I've also seen this with the MC boards mounted directly on the MB's headers, rather than the flying leads.
Aha, so ze plot thickens!
Was my memory of seeing the correct MC boards mounted directly on the headers good or just a figment?
Looks like secondaries come adrift that should paired together. My Claymore doesn't have this same set up on the transformer so hard to say (Colin!).
Is the transformer confirmed as shorted then? If yes, then I guess you need to make a decision on how much you're willing to spend on it, especially if you're paying for the work to be done. If just the transformer no probs but you may need to find what caused it to fail.
That takes us back to Colin's original post...
"