So my THIRD Sony PCM-A10 is now DEAD.
Well, the RIGHT channel is nearly dead. I recorded a show tonight using external cardioid mics > 12V battery box > PCM-A10 line input. I noticed that my right channel gain was significantly lower than my left channel. To be precise, it's exactly 18.5 db lower! Using the same mics and battery box, but swapping in my Roland R-07 instead of the Sony, I round that the gain is equal in both channels. So it's definitely the A10 and not the mics or battery box. I recorded a show a couple of weeks back and the right channel was 8db down. I recorded a couple of shows in between with no issues, so I hoped it was an anomaly. Apparently not. It will be completely dead in a couple of weeks, I'm sure.
I know that because this is EXACTLY what happened with my two previous PCM-A10's. Each of them succumbed to failure of the RIGHT channel. The failure is through the Line Input only. the internal mics still work if you care to use them. As absurd as this is, another local taper has been through exactly the same experience. He too has had exactly THREE Sony PCM-A10s fail in exactly the same manner, over approximately the same length of time.
Has anyone else here experienced this issue? I'm amazed there aren't dozens of A10 owners here complaining about it. Does anyone know if it's possible to repair the problem? Any idea what could be the cause? Is it possible the 12V battery box is too much for the line input to handle? That's the best guess I can come up with other than poor build quality.
I was able to exchange my first two PCM-A10 units for a replacement, but that's impossible now since there are no A10's available, most likely due to the chip shortage. I guess it's back to the larger, quirky Roland R-07 for now...