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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
madore8595
6 posts
 
my line 3se have the same trouble,mute the volume and make a "click click click..." mute on mute off sequence.first i think about tubes...but after a short time i realise that the trouble may come from the headphone input.cause when you put the jack on it,the preamp click to mute!!! it may come from the haedphone circuit board!!!.since this time,when i listen music for a long period and want to listen trouble free,.....i put a cotton swab on it!!!!
jimdur
4 posts
 
I have a Line one that just stuck on mute after using headphones.
When you listen to headphone you can hit the mute button and it goes into mute and hit it again and it works but only on headphone,
The mute light stays on and it wont switch on and off.
Worked fine before using the headphones.
Do not have the remote but I am told that the Logitech harmony 650 works all the functions, Maybe I should get one and try it
Any sugestions  
jimdur
4 posts
 
I don't know if this will help but a common problem with the Sonic Frontiers Line series is the 3rd pin on the headphone jack sticks and causes the pre to stick in mute mode or flicker on and off
If you change the headphone connector it fixes the problem
Part # is Neutrik NJ6FD-V, It is a easy job as long as you can solder
You have to remove the faceplate to do it.
The total job should only take 1/2 hour to 45 min at most
tinear123
240 posts
 
I have had my line-1 since new and thankfully no issues.  
skiroe's avatar
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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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