Audio distortion can significantly detract from the classic arcade experience. Fortunately, several common maintenance methods can effectively prevent and resolve these issues. The most frequent cause of problems is simply dirty controls. Over time, dust and grime accumulate on volume potentiometers and other contacts, leading to scratchy, distorted, or intermittent sound. Carefully cleaning these pots with a specialized electronic contact cleaner is often the first and most successful step.

Beyond cleaning, aging electronic components are a primary culprit. Electrolytic capacitors, in particular, have a limited lifespan and are critical for clean audio output. As they dry out and fail, they can cause humming, buzzing, or low-volume distortion. A cap kit—replacing all the capacitors on the audio circuit board—is a standard repair that restores original sound quality. Similarly, the audio amplifier itself can fail. Whether it's a dedicated chip or part of a larger board, a failing amp will produce heavy distortion or no sound at all, necessitating repair or replacement.

Power supply problems can also introduce audio distortion. An unstable or incorrect voltage feed to the audio circuitry can cause a persistent hum or other noise. Verifying the +12v power line with a multimeter and ensuring the power supply is delivering clean, stable voltage is crucial. Finally, always check the physical connections. Loose or corroded wires between the amplifier, speaker, and game board can easily cause crackling or loss of sound. Reseating connectors and repairing broken solder joints are simple yet effective solutions for maintaining clear, distortion-free audio in any arcade cabinet.