right and left channels are reversed

[Cormel980]

In all versions, V1, V2, V3 ATS-MINI, a circuit design error was confirmed - the right and left channels are reversed.

The original picture of the pj-342_6pin phone socket matches the datasheet (with a different numbering of inputs and pads):

When drawing up the circuit, there was a mistake with the drawing, according to which R, L were determined in reverse. Well, and, accordingly, they were laid out with an error, without checking the compliance with the real sample. Since there is no balance regulator, you can cross R, L anywhere. It is most convenient to do this with capacitors C25, C26, located on the back side of the board, under the screen:

To improve the reproduction of low frequencies, I increased these capacitors from 0.1 μF to 10 μF, in V3 with an amplifier. The amplifier on LM4809 is included in the gap of L-4 and R-3, assembled according to the scheme from the datasheet, the input capacitors of 0.47 μF were also replaced by 10 μF, to reduce the cutoff frequency at the input.

[EmEiBee]

Thanks for the info!
I personally find it insignificant.
For one thing, I almost never use the radio on FM, where it doesn't matter anyway.
And on FM, if anyone notices it at all, it's only someone who likes classical music and knows exactly where which instruments should be heard, or if it's explicitly stated that the sound should come from the left or right.

[EmEiBee]

Okay, so you were lucky and narrowly avoided the executioner 😁😁😁

But seriously:
Do you mean to claim that you're capable of determining whether the channel information is correct or reversed in any given piece of music or voice audio using just your ears?

[radiola2]

No. Not usually. Only when I listen to old stereo recordings by Beatles or Queen where I know where sounds should be. But I think art (and everythting else) should be presented like the creators meant it to be.

[EmEiBee]

Yes, of course. But for the life of me, I wouldn't even consider using this mini radio to enjoy audiophile art. For that, I have my Stax or Infinity, PR99, B77, and the like.

Since I've had a lot of experience with stage audio and high-end equipment (PMS Minden, AudioValve Manufaktur, etc.), I can guarantee you that even many people with a very trained ear and experience usually don't notice a channel swap.

[radiola2]

Audiophile is a bad word. It represents fools who pay fortunes for nothing.

[EmEiBee]

LOL, ok... that's a way to interpreted it. But yes... That's often not so far from reality... You got the point

[Cormel980]

determine whether the channel information is correct or incorrect in any piece of music or voice recording using only your ears?
Incorrect question, you do not know the correct location of the sound sources. What is important is that on any stereo receiver the picture should be the same. It was said above that when listening to a symphony orchestra, you expect to hear the same sound picture on the radio, on the player, on the video.

[radiola2]

"The MiniRadio is primarily intended for listening to AM/SSB"
Where did you get that assumption from?

[EmEiBee]

May you like to read at the developer's website. I think I have read there about.
Everyone I know who has bought this mini radio (mostly real people) are SWL or amateur radio operator who uses it for exactly this purpose. FM is just a bonus for all of us. Personally, I don't use FM on the radio at all. But that also has something to do with my lack of interest in state propaganda radio...

[radiola2]

"state propaganda radio"
Oh, you're one of them... you are living in Germany. I have nothing more to say.

[EmEiBee]

Oh, thanks for coming out. I was wondering why you were so keen to impose your view of things as the universal truth on everyone else.
Then it's actually better if you say "I have nothing more to say."

[BlogOrDie]

I found this error on the ATS Mini V3S myself last week when I tested the radio, along with a long list of other units. There are other commercial portable radios with the channel reversed too.

[Cormel980]

The MiniRadio has the FM broadcast range as an add-on
This is a false statement based solely on your personal experience. When I go for a walk I mostly listen to FM and, occasionally, use headphones, hoping that I am listening as the sound engineer intended. Replacing 4 capacitors is a reasonable price for such confidence.

[EmEiBee]

I don't want to dispute the first part of your comment. Technically, the 4732 offers this possibility, albeit with limited quality.
It's not just my view that it's an "add-on." Because when you're on the move, with the radio, antenna, and speakers or headphones, it's impossible, at least here, to get consistently clear stereo reception.
I also find it quite cumbersome to walk around with so many components. But that's just my experience in my area. If you see that different, it's absolutely ok for me.

Do you have consistent stereo reception when you're on the move respectively a tranmsmitter near your where you walk?

Regarding the last part:
I've mentioned elsewhere that I worked in studio and stage equipment for many years, including in smaller broadcasting systems (the big companies have their own technicians).
I can assure you that there, they usually don't pay attention to whether the signal information from the player, via mixers, via compressors, via modulators, via transmitters, is correctly wired/plugged in terms of the correct left/right assignment. In my experience, this is also completely ignored at events or on stage. Feel free to ask the studios or companies in question how they handle this internally.

So you can never be sure whether you're hearing what the composer intended or a reversed version.