I'm not sure why, but my Denon UD-M30's volume knob when turned acts strangely... when I turn the volume up, everything is fine and it does what it's supposed to do, but if I try to turn the volume down it turns the volume up more than it turns it down (unless I turn the knob very slowly, and even then it sometimes does this). I'm guessing that the rheostat/pontentiometer?, if that's what it is, is broken? So I was wondering if anybody knew if or where I could get a replacement?

Thanks

Zeb, August 2006

Just fixed mine. Thank you all for the advice.

Jerry, June 2022

Hey!!
I've been using my device for years without using the volume knob because the same problem. I used the remote control instead. Then I found inspiration to fix it and with those instructions above I could do it in like 30 minutes (detailed job :) )
It was not difficult even though I'm not an expert. The only thing is, as there is no silicon inside and I could not fix the four tangs holding the knob in place the same way as it was. So at the end it turns more easily, which is a different feel. I liked it earlier. But at least it is working perfectly. Thank you for your instructions!

belasimo, June 2014

Just fixed volume control following instructions above. A few points:

* You must remove the metal front plate from the plastic front plate before unscrewing the circuit board from the plastic front plate

* The five small buttons have a little spring washer between them and the metal plate. If they all fall out remember, put buttons in first then washers.

* when removing the circuit board, it comes out easily if at the correct angle - do not force it. Did you remember to remove the nut on the volume control?

* it is very easy to take the volume control apart: Just bend the four metal tangs back with a small flat head screwdriver, wipe away the goo on the contacts. When replacing I used needle-nosed pliers to bend the tangs back into place.

Sam, March 2011

Mine is a UD-M5--same problem, same fix.
1. top metal cover off
2. pull/pry off volume knob (it will come), remove holding nut and remove front cover (screws on bottom of unit an on internal lateral bracket)
3. I chose to leave the lower ribbon cable in place and remove the two multi-lead plugs from top and top/side (I've had the ribbon out before and the foil contacts are waay to delicate for multiple mashings)
4. lots of screws to take volume control circuit board off from front cover (leave cover face down to keep plastic button banks in place--no panic to put them back as they are in blocks, not pieces)
5. pry apart four tangs that hold the volume control together--and, presto! there you have it, your munged up contacts (other posters are exactly right about the silly-cone lube working its way in there...)
6. I used a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol to mop it up (note that if you're too liberal with a soaked swab, you'll dilute the grease and make it prone to running right back where it oughtn't...)
7. I put the volume control back together, replaced wiring and did a confirmation fire-up before full reassembly

p.s. just in case someone is finally addressing the volume after a more serious problem, I had the CD transport 'ERR' problem and traced it to the PR004 750mA fuse found on the extreme right side of the top PCB. Replaced it with a 20mm fuse in an inline (i.e., capsule-style) fuse holder and licked that problem, too. A good day.

Gubbeen, December 2010

Just sorted mine out after years of having to use the remote control.

The way I did it was as follows :

Disconnected from the mains and took out all speaker and other cables.
Turned the unit over and removed four black screws underneath the front of the unit
The metal front panel then was levered off coming out at the base of the unit first and then off at the top end.
The five tiny buttons each have a little metal disc on them and are only held in by the front metal panel so it is wise to have a clear space and to have the unit pointing upwards when you do this to keep these buttons in place before putting them aside.
The volume knob pulls off away from the unit revealing a nut which can be taken off with pliers or spanner. There is a washer under this nut.
Then levering the plastic fascia panel up and out, you can access the rear of the control panel and remove eight brass screws to enable the circuit board to be taken out from the plastic panel. The on off button is likely to fall out - it is easily relocated on the two plastic pins on the rear side of the plastic panel.
I used isopropyl alcohol (which can be bought at pharmacists in the UK) on a cotton bud, wiping around the shaft of the volume knob, turning the shaft at the same time, wiping all round the edges of the volume control and enabling the fluid to go under the volume knob. I let it dry for five minutes.
Reading other people's posts, it looks like some folk have gone further and taken the volume control apart using a small flat screwdriver on four metal flanges to get further in.
Careful reassembly of the unit in the reverse order, cables back in, plugged in and it's now up and running.
'Turn on, tune in, turn up or down just as you wish and drop out'

Boaty Dave, September 2010

Just sorted mine out after years of having to use the remote control.

The way I did it was as follows :

Disconnected from the mains and took out all speaker and other cables.
Turned the unit over and removed four black screws underneath the front of the unit
The metal front panel then was levered off coming out at the base of the unit first and then off at the top end.
The five tiny buttons each have a little metal disc on them and are only held in by the front metal panel so it is wise to have a clear space and to have the unit pointing upwards when you do this to keep these buttons in place before putting them aside.
The volume knob pulls off away from the unit revealing a nut which can be taken off with pliers or spanner. There is a washer under this nut.
Then levering the plastic fascia panel up and out, you can access the rear of the control panel and remove eight brass screws to enable the circuit board to be taken out from the plastic panel. The on off button is likely to fall out - it is easily relocated on the two plastic pins on the rear side of the plastic panel.
I used isopropyl alcohol (which can be bought at pharmacists in the UK) on a cotton bud, wiping around the shaft of the volume knob, turning the shaft at the same time, wiping all round the edges of the volume control and enabling the fluid to go under the volume knob. I let it dry for five minutes.
Careful reassembly of the unit in the reverse order, cables back in, plugged in and it's now up and running.
'Turn on, tune in, turn up or down just as you wish and drop out'

Boaty Dave, September 2010

Yes, it's a bit of a fiddle, lots of screws to undo to get to control but quite do-able, just take care - mine also works fine now - Thanks,

Colin, August 2010

They put silicone lube on the shaft to give the control a nice feel, and it ends up inside on the contacts of the encoder.

It takes a bit to get at it, but the control can be disassembled without removing it from the circuit board, and then cleaned with any decent contact cleaner (like Deoxit). I used a degreasing solvent. Works fine again now.

William, January 2010

listen to mario 74 he knows what hes talkin about
i jus fixed my in like no less than 10 mins
thx mario ;)

paul reynolds, December 2009

just open the device ,rich at the knob open-it (have 4 metal things ,use a flat srew to remove -it ,use some cotton buds and oil spray or cleaning ... clean everything inside and job done ! it's very easy job just few srews..

mario 74, December 2009

A genuine rotary encoder for the UD-M30 can be purchased from here for £7.04 + postage:-

http://www.chsinteractive.co.uk/electrical-components/misc/udm30-control-volume-denon.htm?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=90673&utm_campaign=froogle

Dave, December 2007

I can sell you a new genuine Denon rotary encoder on ebay for £19.95 + £4.50 postage (UK only). This is a direct replacement part.

Dave, November 2007

So how do you fix it ?

Mark Henry, November 2007

The Denon UD-M30 uses a vertical rotary encoder for the volume control. This is a common fault (I've repaired 3 units).

Dave, November 2007

Hi
This is a quite common,it's the rotory encoder.(Connected to the front panel volume knob)
Try cleaning with a spray cleaner.

Roy, May 2007

Hello, I know it's been a long time since you posted this. I have the exact same problem. Did you ever find a solution?
Many thanks in advance, regards Graham

Graham, April 2007