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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 skiroe

skiroe's avatar
skiroe
131 posts
 
Interesting to see OP goes back to 06'  although last post in 2018.  Where as I dont post on here a whole lot my sense is that members are not notified of new posts unless their user name is noted in the post.   I should verify this question in a current thread.  lol..
At any rate,   Im on my second Line 1 and have never had any problems with it nor with my first one.    Although after hearing a ModWright  LS100 in my system I was impressed at what I perceived to be a more musical and natural sounding synergy (s/s amp)   And I sold the Modwright.  Primarily because it is kind of big and really does not fit my standard size rack very well.   The Line 1 of course is also full featured with all kinds of control via the remote and the original hockey puck remote is of course a keeper..   That being said Im still hunting for a 6sn7 based preamp--if you have not heard one its something to check out IMHO.    
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