Retrofitting a violectric V281 with remote control:
Tools needed
2.5mm hex key
1.5mm hex key
11mm or 7/16 socket, or wrench
Spudger
Using your 2.5 mm hex key, remove the top two screw on the rear panel
Using your 1.5 mm hex key, loosen the set screw on the volume knob, and remove the knob from the shaft.
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I found it easiest to do this with the unit facing me and the volume turned all teh way down, which allows the hex key to enter the recess in the knob at about the 1 o’clock posiiton.
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Pro tip: all screws and nuts in this project will loosen in the counterclock wise direction. (thats volume down for you audiophiles)
Using your 1.5 mm hex key, loosen the set screw on the balance knob, and remove the knob from the shaft.
Using your 11mm or 7/16 socket, remove the nut and washer on the volume shaft and on the balance shaft.
Using your 2.5 mm hex key, remove the top two screw on the face plate
The top and sides are a piece of aluminum shaped like a U.
In order to remove it, you are going to use your 2.5 mm hex key to loosen the bottom two screws on the face plate until you are able to tilt it forward enough to see the top plate front edge come out fo the groove on the rear of the face plate that it is housed in. When you see this, lift the top plate staight up.
As you look down on the insides of the amp, you will see a smaller blue board attached to the back of the face plate. Gently pull it backwards (towards the back of the amp) and angle it up until the board is free of the face plate. Disconnect the ribbon cable attached to the board.
Locate the eprom chip
Using your spudger, gently pry up one end, and then the other in very small incrementts. If you go to far, you will bend the pins, so take it slow and easy.
Locate the replacement chip in your package from Violectric. Place it gently on the socket, with the text facing the same direction as the chip you removed. If it fits, gently and firmly press it into the socket.
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If the pins do not align with the sockets:
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Stop and check if the pins are aligned with the socket often!
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if they aren’t:
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- using a flat surface, place the emprom so that one side of the pins is flat against the surface. gently roll the chip so that the pins are pushed into true perpendicular to the chip.
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- stop and check if the pins are aligned with the socket
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- Flip the chip so the other side of the pins are flat against a surface. Roll gently until that side of pins is also perpendicular to the chip.
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- stop and check if the pins are aligned with the socket
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- when they are, check one more time to make sure that each pin is seated in the right socket. gently push the eprom down until firmly seated.
Locate the new volume and balance board in your package from Violectric.
Unscrew the nut and star washer from the volume and balance shaft, set aside to reinstall later.
Locate the 10 pin socket labled VOL on the board, directly in front of the eprom socket
Plug the 10 pin ribbon cable attached to your new board into the socket labeld VOL.
Attach the ribbon cable you removed from the first board to the open socket on the new volume / balance control board.
Make sure the washers that go between the volume pot and the face plate are installed
Gently angle the board to slide the volume and balance shaft through the face plate, moving it slowly and carefully to avoid pinching against the interior pieces of the amplifier.
When it is in place, attach using the star washer and nut, tightening lightly with you 11mm or 7/16 wrench / socket. (clockwise or volume up tightens things) .
Place the cover back onto the amp body, taking care to note that one long side is grooved and one long side has a tongue which match to a tongue and groove on the body of the amplifier.
Push the face plate back into place; seating the top cover in the groove on the rear of the face plate.
Use your 2.5mm hex key to tighten screws at bottom of face plate.
Use your 2.5mm hex key to tighten screws at top of faceplate
Use your 2.5mm hex key to tighten screws at top of rear plate
Make sure the balance shaft is set to the “center point” as indicated by indent. Place knob on shaft, noting poaition of indicator line should be straight up. Tighten set screw using 1.5mm hex key.
Turn volume shaft all the way to low , Place knob on shaft, and align indicator line perfectly with the lowest indicator line on the face plate. Very carefully pull knob away from face plate 1-2mm. Tighten set screw with 1.5mm hex key
Pour a bourbon and laugh at those poor Bryston fans, having to turn their volume up and down by hand like animals!