Hello,
I am demo’ing a MFA MAGUS A-2 preamplifier this weekend. I’m really blown away with the sound however it has a problem with the source selector. When I choose phono, the left channel suddenly becomes very finicky.
There’s a little bit of crackling and an attenuated signal compared to the left; a little bit of pressure on the knob in the right places brings it back to normal. But it’s always the left channel, the right is fine.
No such problems with the other sources. I’ve double and triple checked.
I’ve tried some deoxit from the inside and I tried flipping the knob back and forth a number of times periodically throughout the evening but it continues to act the same way.
This unit has been sitting for a while and has not been used. Is this something that will work its way through on it’s own or is this something more serious?
Replacing the selector is likely beyond my skills, but I would pay to have it done if I decide I like the unit. How much is it likely to run?
Thank you in advance for your replies to this fairly simple issue.
Shawn
I am demo’ing a MFA MAGUS A-2 preamplifier this weekend. I’m really blown away with the sound however it has a problem with the source selector. When I choose phono, the left channel suddenly becomes very finicky.
There’s a little bit of crackling and an attenuated signal compared to the left; a little bit of pressure on the knob in the right places brings it back to normal. But it’s always the left channel, the right is fine.
No such problems with the other sources. I’ve double and triple checked.
I’ve tried some deoxit from the inside and I tried flipping the knob back and forth a number of times periodically throughout the evening but it continues to act the same way.
This unit has been sitting for a while and has not been used. Is this something that will work its way through on it’s own or is this something more serious?
Replacing the selector is likely beyond my skills, but I would pay to have it done if I decide I like the unit. How much is it likely to run?
Thank you in advance for your replies to this fairly simple issue.
Shawn
Thank you for your quick response.
Does that mean that a moderate DIYer such as myself could do it?
It looks like this particular unit is two pieces of plastic held together with clips what I do well to try and pry them apart and get deoxy on the inside? Or is spraying deoxy in the center hole good enough?
Also, I should add, that I haven’t bought it yet so I probably shouldn’t be mucking around too much. LOL
Does that mean that a moderate DIYer such as myself could do it?
It looks like this particular unit is two pieces of plastic held together with clips what I do well to try and pry them apart and get deoxy on the inside? Or is spraying deoxy in the center hole good enough?
Also, I should add, that I haven’t bought it yet so I probably shouldn’t be mucking around too much. LOL
If you try to pull that apart, you may make it worse.
The biggest issue with replacing, is getting the old one out without damage IF it is the version with the switch soldered directly onto the board. If it is a hard wired switch, it's pretty easy. Just have to make sure you get the contacts correct.
The biggest issue with replacing, is getting the old one out without damage IF it is the version with the switch soldered directly onto the board. If it is a hard wired switch, it's pretty easy. Just have to make sure you get the contacts correct.
Thank you to everyone for your replies, I don’t spend a lot of time on this forum because I don’t know a lot about electronics and I’m not an electrical engineer, I just like to dabble with great sound.
I think it’s best if I take this through the weekend, see if it improves, and then have a discussion with the owner on Monday.
I think it’s best if I take this through the weekend, see if it improves, and then have a discussion with the owner on Monday.
Looks like a hard-wired, non-pcb-mounted switch.
The contacts are probably worn or corroded, and so
will not improve. It should be straightforward to remove
and replace with another switch. There are many options.
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It certainly appears as if the deoxit worked its magic overnight. This morning I can switch back-and-forth from the other sources to phono without any issues at all.
I will continue to monitor this weekend.
Just to give everybody a little bit of background, I’ve always loved music and I’ve always been a budget audiophile. I went from an Adcom system to vintage Hafler, the preamplifier had been updated by musical concepts. I really loved it but I was tempted by all of the great reviews for Cambridge Audio’s 851a integrated.
I bought one and tried it for several weeks but I just could not get involved. I guess what they say about British audio is true, it’s very polite and reserved. I guess I’m looking for a little more energy.
I’ve gone back to a Hafler DH 220 which was upgraded by musical concepts and recently given a clean bill of health by same. My local audio store happened to have this MFA preamplifier on the used rack. It was traded in by a customer who purchased at Primo Luna. It had just been overhauled by United radio in New York.
It is really outstanding! I am hearing things from my records that I have never heard before! Amazing detail and very musical.
Again, I’d like to thank everybody for their replies with white is probably a newbie type issue.
Typically speaking I’m Type A enough that I want my power amplifier in preamplifier to match, at least to come from the same company. But this set up sounds so amazing I think I may stick with it.
My turntable is a Pro-ject 5.1 SE with the Sumiko Bluepoint Number 2 .cartridge
I will continue to monitor this weekend.
Just to give everybody a little bit of background, I’ve always loved music and I’ve always been a budget audiophile. I went from an Adcom system to vintage Hafler, the preamplifier had been updated by musical concepts. I really loved it but I was tempted by all of the great reviews for Cambridge Audio’s 851a integrated.
I bought one and tried it for several weeks but I just could not get involved. I guess what they say about British audio is true, it’s very polite and reserved. I guess I’m looking for a little more energy.
I’ve gone back to a Hafler DH 220 which was upgraded by musical concepts and recently given a clean bill of health by same. My local audio store happened to have this MFA preamplifier on the used rack. It was traded in by a customer who purchased at Primo Luna. It had just been overhauled by United radio in New York.
It is really outstanding! I am hearing things from my records that I have never heard before! Amazing detail and very musical.
Again, I’d like to thank everybody for their replies with white is probably a newbie type issue.
Typically speaking I’m Type A enough that I want my power amplifier in preamplifier to match, at least to come from the same company. But this set up sounds so amazing I think I may stick with it.
My turntable is a Pro-ject 5.1 SE with the Sumiko Bluepoint Number 2 .cartridge
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