2. amps-preamps
  3. 1090202922

Pre-Amp Problem Opinions Please

HI TO ALL.
I own an audio research LS3-B line stage that bought brand new in 1996 i believe it was. it has very few hours on it,and it was sitting on my rack for all this time,really!
I was using my conrad johnson intergrated . I just bought some used digital gear from audiogon and decided to re-arrange my system and hook the LS3-B in. after all hook ups and everything I sat down for some listening and to my disbelief I noticed that volume control is acting up big time.
At 7:00pm position is off(which is normal) at 9:00pm position you get barely sound ,at 11:00pm is the loudest it will get(but still very low volume level) and at 12:00pm sound goes down again and at 1:00am there is no sound(normally it should get louder there).
Also I notice pops every time I touch the volume control,and sometimes pops heard even if I am not touching or turning volume control at all.
My rest of system if it matters is,,Krell md-1 transport
audio research dac-3,conrad johnson mv-55 power amp,and mission 753 3way speakers.
Any help is greatly apreciated.
best regards
George
yioryos

Showing 3 responses by yioryos

yioryos's avatar
yioryos OP
723 posts
 
HI TO ALL AGAIN.
Today I called AUDIO RESEARCH and spoke to guy name LENARD there who says that it sounds like the unit is in auto mute or something like that,and that I should try to get it off that mode by connecting it straight to the wall outlet and not to the power bar with the rest of components like I did.
My power bar is just a plain generic MAX 6 by PANAMAX.
He also mentioned something about electrolytic capacitors might be low,but he wants me to try above remedy first.
He did not encourage me in any way to ship unit in to them for inspection. Dirty volume control pot issue crossed my minf too,Elizabeth, and I happen to have some GAIG contact cleaner ,should I spray a little of that cleaner on my LS3B
controls or is is a bad idea.
My connections are as follows.
Krell md-1 transport feeding an Audio Research dac-3 with toslink optical cable. Then from dac-3 RCA outputs with kimber cable feed ARC LS3B linestage using the direct inputs.
After that I am using audioquest cables from LS3B main RCA outputs to the CONRAD JOHNSON MV55 TUBED power amp inputs.
Everything shares AC with PANAMAX MAX 6 power bar.
Please let me know your comments and advice .

Thanks
George
yioryos's avatar
yioryos OP
723 posts
 
ELGORDO I had to use a toslink out of necessity ,but I did order and waiting for delivery of Illuminati D-60 1m RCA to RCA DIGITAL cable and a 1.5m of Kimber Hero interconnects
,they should be in anyday now.My optical cable is bad and I am aware of it,it's a SAEC brand.
ELIZABETH I tried Audio Reasearch recommendations but it didn't change a thing. Also I did rotate volume control like around 80 times but nothing.So I called LENARD back at ARC and he now wants me to take it to my dealer so they can take a look at it.They adviced me against any contact sprays.I am kind of pissed off because it broke at the wrong time and by,itself.
thank you all.
yioryos's avatar
yioryos OP
723 posts
 
HI JEA48
I will describe to you how my LS3B looks front and back.
Front ...Balance control in the middle..Mode in stereo..
Input cd.. power on..operate..direct..source..
Back ...using direct inputs..outputs I am using the one set of RCA outputs .
This is how its set and produces the above problems.
Can you see a problem in connections or otherwise. I will probably take it for service on coming friday. But I sure feel bad ,and somewhat changed my opinion on ARC gear.
I mean I own older less known , least expensive equipment that never failed,even after long time of not being used and all that.
I have a PROTON FM-AM table radio that bought in 1987 and use every blue moon(like once in two years)and the other day I listened to it,and it fired up like a rocket.
As good as the first day out of the box.Any ideas are welcome.

Thanks guys and gals
George
More to discover