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View Full Version : FACT: My tube preamp (Antique Sound Labs 2004) is a PIECE OF...


fjhuerta
12-15-2003, 09:56 AM
...bad engineering that should have never left the factory in its current shape or form.

BLAH. I have been in AudioAsylum's tube DIY section. Everyone has said the circuit is completely underwhelming. They URGED me to modify it, since they said, 2 caps could explode if I didn't add a grounding resistor.

While I was thinking about doing this, one of the inputs stopped working completely. I disassembled the thing, only to find the solder is breaking loose everywhere. I can't believe it. I simply can't. Little pieces of solder everywhere.

I am thinking whether resoldering all joints and checking every single component is in order, or maybe throwing it out of the window for cathartic relief should be what the doctor ordered.

All I know is... NEVER AGAIN will I buy another chinese / ASL designed product. Damn. $300 USD down the drain.

ps Sckott, you were right - I substituted a simple Creek passive on my system, and the difference is night and day! No noise, no ticks, no pops, no hums, no tube rush, and heavenly sound allaround... thanks!!!

Tullman
12-15-2003, 10:55 AM
My Convergent Audio Technology tube preamp is quite nice sounding and built like a tank. I guarantee you'll find no loose solder joints in one of these. The price is quite high at $6,ooo. but you get what you pay for. At three hundred dollars, ASL they have to cut corners.

I was considering an ASL power amp, which goes for about five grand, but if the quality of these things is so poor maybe I should stay with the CAT stuff.

Sckott
12-15-2003, 11:00 AM
Javier,

Before you chuck it, let me have a crack at it. Maybe I can save you the $300... Just let me know. That unit isn't the best ever invented, but it does have a decent soundstage.

If I can fix it for you, I'll just send it back NC, just parts if that's what it needs....

Don't thow it in the trash, tho. ;) Good luck!

Damián
12-15-2003, 11:09 AM
Originally posted by Sckott
Before you chuck it, let me have a crack at it. Maybe I can save you the $300... Just let me know.
Wow.. it's like Santa with a soldering iron! :D :righton:

fjhuerta
12-16-2003, 09:29 AM
Sckott, that's TOO NICE of you... thanks a lot!!! I mean it :)

You have a PM :)

Javier.