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Replacing Conrad Johnson PV-10

Looking for recommendations in replacing Conrad Johnson PV-10.  It's been acting up.  Used to have to turn it on, then off, then on again to get both channels working...now only one channel is working regardless of what I do.  It may be time to say goodbye.  So, I'm starting here for suggestions.  Current setup is:

Enlightened Audio Designs T-1000 (transport)

Audio Alchemy Digital Decoding Engine V3.0 (DAC)

CJ PV-10 (preamp) 

Berning EA-2100 (amplifier)

Snell E-3 (speakers)

MIT MI-330 Plus (interconnects)

Kimber Kable 8TC (speaker cables)

Open to tube or solid state preamp and new or used.  Love my system, but just want it to work.  Ideal budget is below $2K.  Nearest dealer is several hours away, so want some help narrowing down options.  Any suggestions/thoughts would be very helpful.  Thanks!

 

 

jbeckley42
kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
409 posts
 

Spray the switches and potentiometers with a good dose of DeOxit. Exercise the switches and pots ten times or more. Let the DeOxit dry thoroughly. Test again.

You'll have to take the top cover off to obtain access to the guts of the switches and pots.

I have disassembled and cleaned pots, sometimes with spectacularly good results. But I've also seen some that still wouldn't work. Disassembly usually showed that the contacts and contact strips had worn so much that contact could not be made.

Terminal if that's the case.

sls883
1,056 posts
 

Are you looking to improve your system, or were you happy with the PV-10? 

I had a PV-14L. I tried a Premier 17LS2, but had to return it due to issues with it. I ended up with a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp (level 2). I prefer it over both cj's but you won't find one for $2k.

jond's avatar
jond
6,104 posts
 

I like the c-j PV series a lot classic tube warmth get it fixed.

erik_squires
17,543 posts
 

PV-10s are super easy to repair.  The PV 14 was a step up with separate voltage regulators for either side. 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,708 posts
 

tubegb's avatar

tubegb

208 posts

 

Another aspect to think about. You have a vintage system that appears to have satisfied for an extended period. Synergy is not to be underestimated. The PV-10 is at the core of your system. Changing it may introduce the slippery slope of a multitude of other changes... 

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