IEEE 'golden ears'

[Pooh Bear]

Well, too small SMD output capacitors are one, muting switches might be
another (though I doubt the latter - are they even still in use?)

Interesting you should mention that. And indeed exactly where I'd first be looking.
Although I've done some SMT audio I've kept certain key parts leaded - including
electrolytics.

What size output cap did you have in mind btw ? The audiophool couldn't have fixed that
one anyway since his advice was to leave SMT stuff alone.

Haven't seen a muting switch in such stuff in ages. It was popular to persuade a
bipolar transistor to do the job. Just don't apply more than about 500mV rms across it
!

Graham