You probably have dirty controls on the amplifier. A technician can clean these or you can have a go at it yourself. Not to be rude, but you have nothing to loose by trying it yourself. I wouldn't spend any significant amount on an Akia amp from the 1980's. The cost of cleaner is likely to exceed the value of the amplifier at this point. Get some Cramolin or Pro Gold cleaner from someplace like Audio Advisor or your local pro sound emporium. The salesperson will explain how to go about the task.

Thanks for the reply. That is what I am hoping is wrong. I live in a total dust bowl in AZ so it would not surprise me if that is the case. I will keep my fingers crossed.

As Jan says, your amp is, indeed, screwed. Blued and tatooed. Be very careful (again, as Jan advises) about repair costs. If simply cleaning the pots for 20 bucks or so doesn't solve the problem, Audiogon, E-bay, and countless other sources just may be able to solve it with a new amp for less money than you might spend on repairs. A lot has happened over the last 20 years, and 100% of it has been cost-effective, for people with patience and a reasonably clear idea about what good sound reproduction really is. You can buy a better amp, brand spankin' new, for $500 TODAY, than you could have bought for a grand 20 years ago. Or even higher. Many on-line and mail-order dealers have superb equipment at budget prices, with full warranties and return privileges. Check 'em out. Be patient, read around, and take your best shot. Living in the sticks is no longer a handicap...it may even be an advantage. Keep us posted. Cheers, and good luck!

Cheap old temporary fix:

With the unit OFF, turn the volume knob rapidly back and forth.

Choose parts of it's circle of motion and go back and forth, back and forth, quickly.

Turn and churn.

Do this for all the positions of the volume knob you use.

Sometimes, this can grind off a little of the accumulated oxidation and reconnect the volume pot to the other part.

It's free.

Maybe it won't work, but if it does, it can buy you some time.

Remember, turn fast and keep repeating.

A mantra might help.

I used to use, "Stupid bastage ice hole noise, stupid bastage ice hole noise..."

Personally,i suspect a burned output transistor.I have a power amp that acts the same way.You just hope it doesn't feel the same way about technicians as mine,because i took it several times to a service station,left it there for days,working,and was acting normally.After i brought it home,the same "popping" and "clicking" noises were on lol

You can buy some electrical contact cleaner at Radio Shack or at Home Depot/Lowe's and spray that on the components as you turn the knob/switch...take the cover off the amp (you've got it unplugged for several minutes!) and while turning the knob back and forth, spray (using the small plastic tube for better aim) right onto the volume control/switch component. This may help remove any oxidation as well. The contact cleaner can usually be purchased for under $8.00. While your at it, you can use the same cleaner and a cotton swab to clean your RCA jacks, just be careful not to force things and break anything.

Thanks again to everyone who replied. I tried Buddahs' suggestion and so far so good. No more popping sounds and consistant volume. I think a big part of the problem is that the amp does not get used for long stretches of time. Obviously this will give dirt/oxidation plenty of time to settle in.
I think I will bring it to a local shop and have it thoroughly cleaned.

Now if I can find someone locally to re-cover my speaker grills

I've had great success in aiming with my SMALL TUBE over the years.!!!! Always managed to keep things clean.

Aiming is never the problem, it's the splash effect that messes things up.