Preamplifiers

Articles relating to preamplifiers and their service, repair, restoration, plus reviews and more.

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Stay Tuned!

Despite a healthy dose of writer’s block, I have lots of great service, repair and restoration articles coming. Stay tuned for the stories below and many, MANY more! It’s worth mentioning how much I appreciate my customers, regular visitors and readers. What you see below is a tiny fraction of this year’s work alone, and […]

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2022 Recap, Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday!

Merry Christmas and a huge thank you to our customers, subscribers, friends and family. Yes, friends, it’s that time of the year again, welcome to my 2022 recap where we look at a few numbers and enjoy a gallery of wonderful vintage hi-fi equipment! Many thanks to all who’ve helped make 2022 another fantastic year

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Mark Levinson ML-7 Preamplifier Repair & Review

The Mark Levinson ML-7 preamplifier is a classic and sought-after piece of vintage high-end hi-fi. Come with me as I repair one. Most who love finer hi-fi gear will be familiar with Mark Levinson, one of the great names in high-end audio. The Mark Levinson ML-7 is one of the most famous high-end preamplifiers from

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Krell KAV-280p Preamplifier Repair

Here’s a nice little repair and overhaul I recently did on a lovely Krell KAV-280p preamplifier. Let’s call this the first article in #Krellmonth! The modest Krell KAV-280p may not be a high-end preamplifier in Krell terms like the Krell KRC-HR or Krell PAM-7, but what it lacks in tech and high-end parts, it makes

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Beautiful Krell PAM-7 Preamplifier Repair & Review

Krell has produced some stunning gear over the years and this Krell PAM-7 is a great example. Come with me as I repair and overhaul this lovely old girl. The Krell PAM-7 preamplifier dates back to earliest days of Krell, but all the trademark features are present: thick boards, premium parts, class-A operation, separate power

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Accuphase C-202 Line-Level Preamplifier Service & Review

The Accuphase C-202 line-level class-A preamplifier is an extraordinary piece of hi-fi gear. Come along as I service and review this great preamp. The Accuphase C-202 is a line-level, class-A, fully balanced preamplifier. It also features a dedicated CD buffer circuit, with very little in the signal path. By any measure, it is a superb

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Krell KRC-HR Ultimate Preamplifier Restoration & Repair

Come with me this time, as I dive deeply into the repair and restoration of one of the best solid-state preamplifiers of all time – the magnificent Krell KRC-HR. NOTE – for a bunch of different shots and angles, check out my detailed Krell KRC-HR video overview! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard of Krell

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Yamaha CX-1 Preamplifier Service & Repair

You may have seen my article about repairing a gorgeous Yamaha MX-1 power amplifier. This time I’m servicing a matching Yamaha CX-1 preamplifier. Yamaha made some really superb hi-fi gear back in the day, as I’m sure many of you know. There were the B series VFET amps like the B-1 and B-2, the legendary

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Shocking Krell Destruction Hall of Shame Addition

These latest additions to the Hall of Shame are two of the worst cases of hi-fi electronics bodgery I’ve ever seen. This shocking case of Krell destruction – of a Krell KRC preamp – by a so-called expert has to be seen to be believed. Visit my Hall of Shame for all the horrifying details,

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McIntosh C220 Preamplifier Repair

This lovely McIntosh C220 tube preamplifier fell victim to a growing problem – modern Pb-free production processes. The McIntosh C220 is a hybrid tube/transistor-based preamplifier, featuring a phono preamp and microprocessor control. It’s a well-made unit, though not like the McIntosh of old. The board is high-quality fibreglass and the internal layout is clean and

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