That is very bad luck. Repair should be possible though, but finding the right person to do it will be difficult. Have you considered replacing it, even temporarily, with something different while waiting for a used one at the right price.
I use a DIY valve preamp which I quickly threw together to see if it was what I hoped it would be, intending to do a more serious build when time allowed. This pre with only mediocre parts outperformed my expectations but from long storage had developed a hum.
Not having the time to rebuild the way I would like I chose, after much research, a unit from Ed Schilling of the Hornshoppe called 'The Truth' It is solid state, nothing to look at and has no gain, but is simply amazing and I doubt now if I will bother to rebuild my valve amp. Retail about $1300 because I asked for upgraded OCC input wiring and a remote.
A long and entertaining review of this by Arthur Salvatore:http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Linestages.html
I use a DIY valve preamp which I quickly threw together to see if it was what I hoped it would be, intending to do a more serious build when time allowed. This pre with only mediocre parts outperformed my expectations but from long storage had developed a hum.
Not having the time to rebuild the way I would like I chose, after much research, a unit from Ed Schilling of the Hornshoppe called 'The Truth' It is solid state, nothing to look at and has no gain, but is simply amazing and I doubt now if I will bother to rebuild my valve amp. Retail about $1300 because I asked for upgraded OCC input wiring and a remote.
A long and entertaining review of this by Arthur Salvatore:http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Linestages.html