To Repair or Replace????

[I-SIG]

It's been awhile, so hello to all my Polk friends. Steve, I'll call you.

Anyway, my system took a direct static electricity hit and now I have no left channel. I'm fairly sure it's the preamp because the amp seems to operate normally, i.e. there's no buzzing, humming, feedback, etc. Just a silent left channel, save for the SDA drivers.

I have been well served by an Audio Alchemy DLC (Digital Line Controller) for a long time. I'm concerned that due to the somewhat specialized nature of the piece it may be difficult to repair and I've read in several places that Dusty of Channel Islands Audio won't mess with the old Audio Alchemy stuff anymore.

That being said, should I still look into repairing it or just move and save it for a rainy day project? I've been wanting a new preamp so that I could go balanced from my Cambridge Azur 840 CDP all the way to the Cary CAD-200. I had explored a few options and the most affordable ones to have balanced and bi-amp capability were the Bel Cant Pre2 and the Wyred for Sound STP.

I was planning to acoustic treatments but what's the point if your system doesn't function properly? If I go for the Bel Canto, I can still afford treatments, if I go W4S, I will have to put off the treats for longer still.

If you have any other ideas, I'm all ears.

Thanks,
Wes

[steveinaz]

I have a placette linestage (RVC)...at WES pricing. Talk to me goose. You will LOVE it. Give me a ring anytime after 4pm tonight bubba.

Oh, you're looking for XLR...well shoot. Think about the Placette anyway, for as low a price as I will give you, you could easily unload it if you find it isn't your cup of tea.

[I-SIG]

Will do. Thanks, Steve.

Wes

[I-SIG]

Oh, you're looking for XLR...well shoot. Think about the Placette anyway, for as low a price as I will give you, you could easily unload it if you find it isn't your cup of tea.

Yeah, everything seems to indicate that my CDP is even more capable using the XLR outputs, so if I'm buying a pre regardless, then I think for the price of some new cables, I ought to get something with balanced ins & outs.

Wes

[markmarc]

Personally, I'd make sure to demo the Bel Canto, people I know either love it or hate it, not much middle ground.

[I-SIG]

Anyway, my system took a direct static electricity hit and now I have no left channel. I'm fairly sure it's the preamp because the amp seems to operate normally, i.e. there's no buzzing, humming, feedback, etc. Just a silent left channel, save for the SDA drivers.

Wes

Well, I finally took the time and used my Oppo DVDP to confirm that the preamp is indeed out of a left channel.

If there are any other suggestions for a fully balanced pre with dual balanced outputs, remote, and a 100% dimmable display, please let me know. At this point I'm pretty well focused on the W4S pre, but and checking others like the Bel Canto, AR, BAT, etc.

Thanks,
Wes