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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
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,570 posts
 

Write the number of the chip down and note how many legs the chip has and that's the one you need.  It's near the rear panel , 2 of them next to each other.  

Looked like D1B12A on a stock photo.  

erik_squires
17,543 posts
 

Also, while you are in there, the voltage regulators get hot. Little transistor like things near the front panel.  I think in the PV 14 they realized they were doing too much and split into 2 voltages, but I digress.  A little heat sink with a dab of heat sink grease can increase longevity. 

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,974 posts
 

I own the PV-11.  I sent it to CJ for recapping.  Fantastic results.  By all means send it to them.  Well worth the expense.

vintageadict
34 posts
 

I replaced a PV-12 with a Modwright LS-100 a few years ago and have been very happy with it. I wasn’t unhappy with the PV-12 but it was hard on tubes (especially vintage) and the gain was high for an amp that I purchased. The LS-100 was just a better match but it did add some spooky details and depth to the sound that I didn’t have before. It is not as warm as the PV-12 though but warm enough for me. I would make sure the gain of any new pre-amp matches up with your amp like your PV10 does if you make a change. The PV12 gain was 18 on the line stage while the LS-100 is 12 so that gave me a significant increase in volume control.  1/3 of the way up on the CJ was about as loud as I wanted to go. 

 

Hope that helps. 

jbeckley42 OP
9 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the help/suggestions and info.  To answer some of the question:

  • Did roll the the tubes with spares and no changes
  • Sent to CJ something like 30 years ago, they couldn't find the problem
  • Have used Deoxit on knobs and connectors (but it has also been a few years)
  • Location is central Indiana

I'll probably work on poking around a bit more and see what I can come up with.  Appreciate all the help.  

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