Linn Kairn repair

Hello friends,
need some help.
I own a Kairn with a round brilliant sps that is near to die.
Its serial 1612. So it was updatet years ago from linear transformer to that round brilliant sps. I own both now, the brilliant sps(not working) and the linear kairn transformer, i want to use now.
Question: - is it possible to go back easily and set the linear psu instead of brilliant sps?
- Does anyone know the voltage on the secondary side of the linear psu? is it the same like round brilliant? Ther are loose cables on the linear psu.
- Do i have to change the rectifiers or something else?

PLEASE HELP !!

Next days i upload some pics of both psu and my fix of accu on the dislpay side
 
Linn Kairn - how works it without Battery ?

The Linn model LK-1 (preamp) works fine even without the 3V6 NiCd battery resp. accu, but follow defaults I note after switch-on:
1) Volume control is "0"
2) No source is selected (mute).
This is good to handle.
By the model "KAIRN-PRO" (without elements on PCB at the phono RIAA section) I read follow after switch-on in the display:
"err2- don't panic innit!"
After this I read under "Volume" the value "0" and after a second it runs up to the value "50".
The selected input (listen) is "tun" (TUNER) and no record input is selected.
Is this behaviour correct and in accordance with the default settings without battery?
Are there other unwanted effects present without battery and is the battery (in opposite to the LK-1) under all circumstances necessary ?
I ask this, because sometimes (not often) the display goes death (even the two strokes are missing), although music is to continue listening. But commands (e. g. volume control, input select and so on) are no longer accepted.

After switch-off and switch-on again it works like previously described.
Thank you for your advices.
 
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Kairn Screen sometimes going still blank after replace 3V6 NiMH Battery

Now I have replace the battery by a new version, but I still observe the same, as mentioned in my post #1. But all other functions are correct.
This effect with completely dark display occurs unfortunately not often, so that I am not able to perform a troubleshooting.
That reminds me of a frozen screen on my old personal computer while work on it.
I assume, there must be a PIN at the processor, which is very sensitive against spikes on the mains. The internal power supply isn't the SMPS-Version (Brilliant).
Thanks for any advices.
This thread don't provide any advices:
Kairn screen going blank
 
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This can happen if an old NiCd-Accu is only removed too late

Check out the images below of several through corrosion-oxidized vias on the prozessor board so as the time-intensive work to eliminate the resulting contact problems.

Now I have replace the battery by a new version, but I still observe the same, as mentioned in my post #1. But all other functions are correct.
This effect with completely dark display occurs unfortunately not often, so that I am not able to perform a troubleshooting.
That reminds me of a frozen screen on my old personal computer while work on it.
I assume, there must be a PIN at the processor, which is very sensitive against spikes on the mains. The internal power supply isn't the SMPS-Version (Brilliant).
Thanks for any advices.
This thread don't provide any advices:
Kairn screen going blank
The main reason therefore are contact errors at the plug connections between mainboard and front- (operating-) PCB (at whole four connectors) and between the aluminum front panel and front PCB (GND-screw).
On the threaded bolt of the alu front plate paint residues must be removed for trouble-free electrical contact.
 

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Volume level "0" instead "50" wanted by swtich-on without NiCd/NiMh battery

The Linn model LK-1 (preamp) works fine even without the 3V6 NiCd battery resp. accu, but follow defaults I note after switch-on:
1) Volume control is "0"
2) No source is selected (mute).
This is good to handle.
At the model "KAIRN-PRO" (without elements on PCB at the phono RIAA section) I read follow after switch-on in the display:
"err2- don't panic innit!"
After this I read under "Volume" the value "0" and after a second it runs up to the value "50".
The selected input (listen) is "tun" (TUNER) and no record input is selected.
Is this behaviour correct and in accordance with the default settings without battery?

Are there other unwanted effects present without battery and is the battery (in opposite to the LK-1) under all circumstances necessary ?
I ask this, because sometimes (not often) the display goes death (even the two strokes are missing), although music is to continue listening. But commands (e. g. volume control, input select and so on) are no longer accepted.

After switch-off and switch-on again it works like previously described.
Thank you for your advices.

Yes, this behaviour is correct - it is present at all devices of this preamplifier model from Linn. Now rises up the question, how I can change this condition after switch-on without battery for memory-buffer. My wanted condition is the same as by the model LK-1 without memory-battery.
Are therefore an other EPROM-software necessary ?
 
This will happen when first akku is still in use - II

A second device of this modell with same issue as mentioned in post #7
 

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continue post #9

image description previous post

image 1 and 2:
the process of corroding PCB traces (looks black instead green) and connections from solder side to component side isalready recognizable
image 3 and 4:
PCB traces after sanding the solder resist
image 5 and 6:
Additionally silver wire inserted
image 7 and 8:
original/genuine (very old) VARTA memory pack 3V6, 1000mAh
image 9 and 10:
the process of corroding surface inside of the shielding envelope/shielding cap is already advanced (before and after sanding).

image description this post

image 1:
preparing for very low resistance between the front plate and PCB-earth resp. PCB-GND (very important)
image 2 and 3:
wires for outdoor use of any available memory accu pack
 

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I have a Kairn that when turned on the green LED glows, dimly, but nothing is shown on the display. I don't think the amp works without the display but have not tried.

The PSU, slimline Brilliant, seems OK as it works inside a Karik.

The battery pack is leaking but on first glans I cannot seem much if any corrosion. The battery is still outputting 3.6V

Could a battery/corrosion cause the fault?

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


Is this the slimline Brilliant PSU?
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
Hello,
I have an good Linn Kairn Preamp from the 1990s. Suddenly the 3.7V Battery died and did destroy some lanes. I managed to restore the lines but somehow the Eprom lost its memory.
There is a Sticker on the M27C256 "AE31-LK2V00-25/11/94"
Is there anybody who could send me a *.bin or *.hex file for burning? - I have a Programmer and clean 27c256.

Thanks
Robert
 
Linn did send me a *.abs File. I don't know how to handle it. It doesn't look like hex. Can someone help me to get it in hex so I can burn it on the EEPROM the right way?
Is there a Tool that can convert it?

The *.abs File is like this...


S11B800072325F30302020202032352D31312D393420202020202043EE
S11B801868726973204D6345726C65616E20666F72204C696E6E2050E7
S1128030726F6475637473204C696D6974656451
S115FFEE8D1486FC8A218A2F87108C8C8C9D8C9F8D14D2
S11B803FC60AF700B7070FF60081C47FF70081D70006070FF60081CA2B
S11B805740F70081D7000686809402262D070FF60081C4BFF70081D72A
S11B806F000686809402261A070FF60081CA40F70081D700067A00B7F6
S11B808726DB8620BA00B6B700B6070FF60081CA40F70081D700060766
S11B809F0FF60081CA80F70081D70006070FF60081C4BFF70081D70041
S11B80B706070FF60081C47FF70081D7000639070FF60081C47FF70082
S11B80CF81D70006070FF60081C4BFF70081D7000686809402271B07ED
S11B80E70FF60081CA80F70081D70006070FF60081CA40F70081D70072
S11B80FF06398601BA00B6B700B639070FF60081CA80F70081D700065D
S11B8117070FF60081C4BFF70081D70006070FF60081C47FF70081D7C8
S10D812F00068680940227013986B9
...


Thanks
Robert


PS.: Or is there someone out there who can read his own Linn Kairn EEPROM and send me the File?
 
I have a Kairn that when turned on the green LED glows, dimly, but nothing is shown on the display. I don't think the amp works without the display but have not tried.

The PSU, slimline Brilliant, seems OK as it works inside a Karik.

The battery pack is leaking but on first glans I cannot seem much if any corrosion. The battery is still outputting 3.6V

Could a battery/corrosion cause the fault?

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


Is this the slimline Brilliant PSU?
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


After restoring the ROM I still had the same Problem. Green LED was ON and nothing showed up on the Display. My Slimline Brilliant SMPS brings something like +/- 20V and 10V.
After checking my restored lines on the Front-Panel (Battery damage) I found one more little cracked line. The one going from C2 to Q3 was cracked right at the hole to the opposite close to Q3.

So if I had checked all the lines before I could have saved a lot of time recaping everything... But now it should be good for the next 20+ years :)


If someone needs the ROM file please feel free to ask... Or is here a Spot where I can Upload it?
 

PRR

Member
Joined 2003
Paid Member
....If someone needs the ROM file please feel free to ask... Or is here a Spot where I can Upload it?

Wrap it in ZIP format and Attach it to a post.

ZIP ensures integrity and also "hides" the unusual file extension (not known as 'safe' by the forum upload tool).

You might also include a TXT file saying what it is, what it is for, and any tricks you know about using it.