Kenwood TK-5730 RX audio distorted

[MTS2000des]

Picked up a used TK-5730 dash mount with KCH-19 CH. Seller is a fellow ham and advertised it as working. Read the radio, saved the blank C/P, added a few zones of conventional analog and P25, wrote back. The issue is that the RX audio is distorted, almost like some RX AGC is brick walled, the volume ramps up and down fine, the alert tones from keypad presses are normal and follow the volume ramp fine, but the RX audio sounds distorted to the max even at the lowest volume. I have disabled all audio enhancements, adjusted everything I can find in the codeplug, defaulted all audio profiles, but no change. TX audio is fine. RX sensitivity is great and transmitter is on frequency but cannot get "normal" sounding audio on analog FM or P25. I'd be glad to send the codeplug for a second look. Radio F/W is R2.10.
Yes, I contacted the seller but surprise surprise, crickets. Radio is in good physical condition and doesn't appear to have been Goodwrenched. Ideas?

 

[buddrousa]

Sounds like the radio needs aligned

 

[n7maq-1]

That F/W is old, we are up to 6.xx now. My 3920B will AutoTune under the NX-5xxx window.

 

[WB5UOM]

or bad audio pa....

 

[WB5UOM]

maybe turn volume all the way diwn plug in a earphone in speaker jack and then come up with audio ..see what it does.

 

[MTS2000des]

Updated firmware, connecting to external speaker results in same thing. One thing I did try was lowering the max audio level from 31 down to 1, it seems to have no effect on limiting the volume. I am guessing the control head is shot?

 

[WB5UOM]

I still say audio pa
on the tk5xxx i think the pa is easily accessible, if you have a scope look at in and out

 

[Motoflightmedic]

Updated firmware, connecting to external speaker results in same thing. One thing I did try was lowering the max audio level from 31 down to 1, it seems to have no effect on limiting the volume. I am guessing the control head is shot?

I though the issues with the control head and speaker were only in remote head configurations. Unless im missing something on how the Rx audio is routed on the dash mounts.

 

[n7maq-1]

The KCH-19 does not have a audio amp, it is coming out of the deck. The KCH-20 does have an audio amp and it is a common issue for them to crap out.

 

[MTS2000des]

Which explains why the audio is the same distorted sounding when an external speaker is connected. Most likely the audio PA is shot, I am going to reach out the seller and give them an opportunity to resolve. I did pay with PayPal G&S, so worst comes to worst: item not as described.

 

[MTS2000des]

Received a response from the seller to ship the radio back for a refund. For this reason I held off from opening the housing or doing anything other than programming/firmware. Don't want anyone to say "you broke it therefore it's yours". Seller states they did bench check it before shipping. Either way, I appreciate everyone's insight and assistance.

 

[n7maq-1]

Received a response from the seller to ship the radio back for a refund. For this reason I held off from opening the housing or doing anything other than programming/firmware. Don't want anyone to say "you broke it therefore it's yours". Seller states they did bench check it before shipping. Either way, I appreciate everyone's insight and assistance.

That is good news, I know that there are a lot of sellers that will not do that.

I don't recall how many transactions you and I have had, but I do remember that we had a deal where I had sent you XTS5000 that had an issue that I
had missed and I was glad to take it back. I still have an older Nicon camera that I believe I got from you.

 

[MTS2000des]

Wow, I remember that camera! You and I did many a good dealings over the years, and you helped get me into the XTS world when XTS meant something! Thank you for once again coming out of the woodwork as always brother!