2. amps-preamps
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Sonic Frontiers Line - 1 Volume Control

Has any owner of either a SF Line-1, 2 or 3 preamp experienced problems with the volume control? You may know that the control is in fact an optical shaft encoder.
I have had 3 failures of these units.
First pre-amp just "froze" after a few month's use, and was replaced with a brand new model (as opposed to being repaired).
The second unit also developed similar problems after 2.5 years use, though this time the fault was more severe in that the volume control would inexplicably "ramp-up" to maximum (95.5db) unassisted in any way. Took out a few KT88 tubes on one of my power amps before I get to it - and turn off. The preamp was fitted with a new shaft encoder and "logic" box (behind the fascia) under warrantee in 2000, and was fine until last month when the shaft encoder froze (yet again) after turning on from Standby. The unit will still funtion of course via the remote control, so its NOT the end of the world!Have sourced a replacement encoder and awaiting fitting by local techo.
Purpose of this question is to ask if any other owner of these series of otherwise very fine pre-amps have experienced similar problems?
(RH)
cicero42

Showing 1 response by 883dave

883dave
50 posts
 
I have a Line 3, that has a few mods (caps, resistors, wire)

This past winter I had a problem with the volume. Sometimes the unit would go into mute and not come on again. Other times it would go from mute to on and then mute, switching back and forth.
Tried re-powering, fiddled with the remote (changed batteries), changed out all the tubes. Sometimes just leaving it off for several hours would re-set the unit. I was just about ready to send the unit to Chris, when I mentioned the problem to my dealer (they use to carry the SF line), he questioned me about static electricity. I set up a portable humidifier in the room with my equipment, left it over night...have never had the problem since.
I live in an area where the humidity is generally very low, so this may not apply to all, but worth a try
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