IFP-899 no audio on the left channel

[rzeidlerrzeidler]

I have an IFP-899 that is not putting out any audio to the left channel. I use it to record via the "line in" and it is recording properly. I checked the balance setting and that is ok. I tried different headphones and the result was the same. I gave the headphone jack a shot of Deoxit and that didn't help. When I tried to take the thing apart to examine it I couldn't get the boards out; the end where the headphone, line-in and USB ports are wouldn't budge and I didn't want to apply too much force. So this is a 2 part question: 1) what is the proper way to disassemble an IFP-8xx? 2) if and when I do get it apart what connections can I check/clean to try and restore audio to the left channel?

Thanks a bunch,
rzrz

ps Firmware is 1.28 ums

[wulfrun]

Daft question maybe but are you sure it's the player not the headphones? Try another pair to be sure, if you haven't already. If it's definitely the player it's probably just making poor or no connection in the headphone jack - try there first. The left output is the very tip of the connector. I've no idea how to take one apart, I'm afraid...