Chaps,
I have the chance to purchase a mint, unmolested SP3 from the wife of the late original owner, all tubes are Amperex, they seem to be original. She let me bring it home to have a listen. She wants $1,700.
I turned it on, let it warm up and played a CD. Turning the balance to the left there is no sound. I could have cleaned the pots but it is not mine, I don't want trouble.
There can be too many things but I am looking for suggestions and, if possible, an idea what would it cost to repair it.
Please no suggestions as to forget it and buy another preamp.
Cheers,
I have the chance to purchase a mint, unmolested SP3 from the wife of the late original owner, all tubes are Amperex, they seem to be original. She let me bring it home to have a listen. She wants $1,700.
I turned it on, let it warm up and played a CD. Turning the balance to the left there is no sound. I could have cleaned the pots but it is not mine, I don't want trouble.
There can be too many things but I am looking for suggestions and, if possible, an idea what would it cost to repair it.
Please no suggestions as to forget it and buy another preamp.
Cheers,
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With the mode switch set to mono, does switching the tone switch bring back the left channel?
If so, the problem is likely in the tone control amplifier section. If not, the problem could be in the
gain control amplifier section, or before that.
Not real likely to be a bad tube, since they are each shared between channels. Could be a bad mode
or selector switch, or a solder joint. Perhaps even a corroded tube socket or pin. Certainly is going
to be in need of a contact cleaning (this is 45 years old), especially if there were smokers in the house.
A decent tech will be around $100 per hour. You don't want the other kind.
If so, the problem is likely in the tone control amplifier section. If not, the problem could be in the
gain control amplifier section, or before that.
Not real likely to be a bad tube, since they are each shared between channels. Could be a bad mode
or selector switch, or a solder joint. Perhaps even a corroded tube socket or pin. Certainly is going
to be in need of a contact cleaning (this is 45 years old), especially if there were smokers in the house.
A decent tech will be around $100 per hour. You don't want the other kind.
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Hi Ray,
Setting the mode switch to mono does not make any difference, still an inoperative left channel. ARC still services this model.
Setting the mode switch to mono does not make any difference, still an inoperative left channel. ARC still services this model.
If you do buy it with the intention of shipping it to ARC for service, try to get
the original shipping carton and inserts, if the owner has still them.
the original shipping carton and inserts, if the owner has still them.
No, she does not have the original packing, I wonder why you said that.
Spoke with Greg at ARC a few minutes ago, he thinks it needs new tubes, $450 the set, probably China or Russia but nothing beats Telefunkens or Amperex Holland. $100 an hour like you said.
Spoke with Greg at ARC a few minutes ago, he thinks it needs new tubes, $450 the set, probably China or Russia but nothing beats Telefunkens or Amperex Holland. $100 an hour like you said.
It seems you might have missed something ---have a look at the dual controls ,even the balance looks dual to cut down o/h .
355F1 am I right the balance is dual as well ?
355F1 am I right the balance is dual as well ?
This unit is rather likely to have some shipping damage unless very well packed.
The original double box packing was fine.
Okay then does it have a plastic slot at the back ?
If so in some radio volume controls ( but not all ) this adjusts the slider of the control adjusting the pressure the slider applies to the carbon track ---worth a try .
Remember one way it gets worse so do it slowly IF there is that slot there.
If so in some radio volume controls ( but not all ) this adjusts the slider of the control adjusting the pressure the slider applies to the carbon track ---worth a try .
Remember one way it gets worse so do it slowly IF there is that slot there.
Living in the USA, I would buy a new Prima Luna Evo100 ($ 2400), with RC, AutoBías, built like a tank and with warranty.
PrimaLuna USA
PrimaLuna USA
Sorry, but you are wrong. There are three on eBay from $3,100 [Korea] to $3,500 no mods, no refurbs. One in US Audiomart: $3,400. Two in Reverb: $4,499 and one in Audiogon $4,599. Upgraded with those super duper new caps implants and ruining the original sound
By the way, the lady reduced the price to $1,500, still thinking.
Cheers,
By the way, the lady reduced the price to $1,500, still thinking.
Cheers,
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You have your answer. What is there to think about?
Buy it for $1500, pay up to $2000 to get it working and you'll have a preamp worth $3500.
Personally, I would DIY it, that's why I save these type questions for the other forums.
Cheers!
Buy it for $1500, pay up to $2000 to get it working and you'll have a preamp worth $3500.
Personally, I would DIY it, that's why I save these type questions for the other forums.
Cheers!
Are you wanting advice on if you should proceed in buying and having it repaired professionally, or are you wanting to repair it yourself?
Also, have you ever heard one of these when working properly? (I.E., their sound, not insinuating that they are difficult to repair)
Also, have you ever heard one of these when working properly? (I.E., their sound, not insinuating that they are difficult to repair)
If it is cleaning I can do it myself, if not, I have neither the test equipment nor the experience to diagnose what would be wrong with it.
Duke, those are inflated prices, they have been languishing for months, many watchers but no buyers.
Duke, those are inflated prices, they have been languishing for months, many watchers but no buyers.
355F1-- 6L6 asks a most pertinent question: have you heard one?
If you have the money and want to pay someone to repair/restore it to it's former glory, then you know that people are asking $3500 for a good working unit.
If you want to DIY repair it, which you've said you don't have the tools or experience to do, then you have your answer to what I think is your question.
I don't think a cleaning is going to bring it up to running condition. But, I might be wrong...
If you have the money and want to pay someone to repair/restore it to it's former glory, then you know that people are asking $3500 for a good working unit.
If you want to DIY repair it, which you've said you don't have the tools or experience to do, then you have your answer to what I think is your question.
I don't think a cleaning is going to bring it up to running condition. But, I might be wrong...
I say stop thinking and go buy it. It looks very nice in your pictures and there can't be that much wrong with it. These are actually simple devices. Worst case scenario might be a defective push-button or rotary switch, but that actually may only need a little CRC spray cleaner. ($5 a can at Walmart) Surely you can find a competent service tech in Florida. In my opinion don't send it to AR to be ripped off for Chicom tubes and a hefty service charge.