Well, this sucks, humbling

billbillw · May 2020

So, I had my 2-ch playing in the background while working from home today (same as the last 6 weeks). Its in the other room, sounded fine. Went out in that room and noticed the music was mostly coming from the right channel. It was a jazz piano song so I thought it was just the way the music was recorded. Later in the day, I went out and noticed the same thing. Hmm. Lets try some other music. Whoa, hardly any sound from the left channel!

Went through the usual panic check wires, check another source, swap cables, swap tubes, nothing helped. The mighty LSA Statement has something very wrong with her.

Of course, this happens about a year out of warranty, not even sure that mattered since LSA was bought out by Underwood a few years back. I'm not sure it would have been covered. This is not a common amp, no service manuals, and the guy who designed the Statement upgrades is notoriously hard to get in touch with, or he doesn't bother to reply. So, anyway, looking at what could be an expensive repair.

In the meantime, I'm back to a humble little receiver driving the SS-M9. I had an HK 3270 that someone gave me awhile back. It has been packed away in a corner. So, free receiver powering legendary speakers. Unfortunately, the remote circuit doesn't work for the HK.

Luckily, they sound good with about anything driving them. Just can't really crank it.

Hopefully I can get the LSA fixed without spending a fortune.

BlueFox · May 2020

Good luck. Glad you have a backup.

msg · May 2020

Ahhh man, that is a bummer. I know that anxiety feeling when something's not right in the system. Taking a step back, it can see a little illogical having that feeling, especially when there's other gear to use, but I think it's because of all the time and energy and money we put into finding that just right combination. Definitely unnerving when something's off, and you're having to use substitute stuff.

You got a plan for thee repair yet?

billbillw · May 2020

msg wrote: »

Ahhh man, that is a bummer. I know that anxiety feeling when something's not right in the system. Taking a step back, it can see a little illogical having that feeling, especially when there's other gear to use, but I think it's because of all the time and energy and money we put into finding that just right combination. Definitely unnerving when something's off, and you're having to use substitute stuff.

You got a plan for thee repair yet?

No plans yet. Waiting to hear back from John Tucker (Exemplar) to see if he has schematics to share or if he does repairs (doubtful on the later). I've got the name of someone else who was the bench guy for John and has worked on many if them. Unfortunately he is near Seattle (80lb amp) and also a highly recommended repair guy that is somewhat local.

My hope is John sends schematics and I can take to the local guy.

billbillw · May 2020

What is frustrating is that I've never really had any issues with amps or preamps in 30 years if audio... That is, until I spend more than I ever have for a single piece with the intention of never buying another amp. Murphy's law?

BlueFox · May 2020

These things happen. My Pass XP-22 preamp developed a popping in the left channel. While irritating, Pass fixed it no charge. That’s the nature of electronics.

mhardy6647 · May 2020

John "Smoothplate" Tucker! I remember him...

audioluvr · May 2020

Is there no output at all on that channel? First thing is check fuses. If one is blown get a multimeter and with the speakers unhooked check to see if there is DC voltage coming out of the speaker terminals. If there is DO NOT try to hook it up to your speakers.

billbillw · May 2020

BlueFox wrote: »

These things happen. My Pass XP-22 preamp developed a popping in the left channel. While irritating, Pass fixed it no charge. That’s the nature of electronics.

Yeah, I'd feel a lot better if I was dealing with Nelson or Wayne. LSA is not what it used to be. They went under and the name and inventory were bought by Underwood. The guy (John) who designed the amp is on the outs with all the other people involved.

billbillw · May 2020

audioluvr wrote: »

Is there no output at all on that channel? First thing is check fuses. If one is blown get a multimeter and with the speakers unhooked check to see if there is DC voltage coming out of the speaker terminals. If there is DO NOT try to hook it up to your speakers.

It has weak, muffled output. I know how to basic troubleshoot. This is a problem in the circuit, probably in the pre section. If I had a schematic, I'd start testing points, but this is not your average amp circuit. John Tucker took the original DK Designs amp and elevated it with extra boards, extra transformers, and all kinds of voodoo.

But yeah, it's out of the system now. Won't be hooked to the ss-m9 until fixed. I'm not going to risk those unobtainable woofers.

afterburnt · May 2020

Glad you have backup. I would lose it if everything went down. 3 systems until the lights go out.

Upstatemax · May 2020

BlueFox wrote: »

These things happen. My Pass XP-22 preamp developed a popping in the left channel. While irritating, Pass fixed it no charge. That’s the nature of electronics.

Heck, sometimes people pack up amps and send them into Pass for absolutely no reason...

pitdogg2 · May 2020

Indeed

gudnoyez · May 2020

Sorry to hear that hope you can get it repaired soon, but having a backup is good. I have a couple of integrateds, a 3 channel Amp and a AVR or two plus a couple of receivers and preamps. Hoarder yes, should part with the excess but at least no matter the circumstance, I got back up. I'm glad you still got tunes.

mhardy6647 · May 2020

gudnoyez wrote: »

Sorry to hear that hope you can get it repaired soon, but having a backup is good...

^^^ Indeed.

Famed erstwhile O's skipper Earl Weaver (The Earl of Baltimore) used to say -- among other things -- that the secret to success was to have deep depth.

I keep a spare or two squirreled away, myself.

BlueFox · May 2020

Upstatemax wrote: »

BlueFox wrote: »

These things happen. My Pass XP-22 preamp developed a popping in the left channel. While irritating, Pass fixed it no charge. That’s the nature of electronics.

Heck, sometimes people pack up amps and send them into Pass for absolutely no reason...

Yes, that was an interesting experience. A side benefit from it was I started listening to the music channels on cable, and it actually sounds pretty good through the soundbar.

adb3da · May 2020

I’ve always wanted to hear SS-M9s. How long have you had them and where did you find them?

billbillw · May 2020

adb3da wrote: »

I’ve always wanted to hear SS-M9s. How long have you had them and where did you find them?

I've had the SS-M9 for about 10 years. If you search around here, there is a lengthy story about how I got them in Buffalo while on a road trip to Michigan (my family lives up there) and got them back to Georgia.

billbillw · May 2020

So a week has passed and John Tucker hasn't replied to an email and two phone messages I've left. The bench guy hasn't replied either. I'm not really too fond of taking this to someone who will have to take hours to figure out the circuit design before starting to troubleshoot.

audioluvr · May 2020

Be patient. I waited 2 months to have my Monos rebuilt.

billbillw · May 2020

3rd call to John Tucker...waiting...

msg · May 2020

That's frustrating. The guy could at least call you back just to say he can't help instead of leaving you hanging. I hate when stuff like that happens.

msg · May 2020

Wait, not *this* John Tucker, right? I haven't seen this so I don't know what happens at the end.

mhardy6647 · May 2020

I b'lieve it's this John Tucker, known in Bottlehead circles as "Smoothplate" for his... well... smooth plate pate (far right, in this photo from 1998)

source: https://www.pearl-hifi.com/06_Lit_Archive/02_PEARL_Arch/Vol_16/Sec_53/Valve/1998_Valve_Vol_5_Compilation.pdf

billbillw · May 2020

Yes, he is a Mr. Clean wannabe.

michaeljhsda2 · May 2020

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Famed erstwhile O's skipper Earl Weaver (The Earl of Baltimore) used to say -- among other things -- that the secret to success was to have deep depth.

Earl Weaver... reminds me about a story about him and Whitey Herzog in the 1980's. Whitey had a great response to Earl who was complaining about the Cardinals stealing bases when they held a sizeable lead in a game... We'll stop stealing bases when you stop hitting home runs. Roger Craig also complained about the same thing as Earl did.

michaeljhsda2 · May 2020

Seriously thought about getting an LSA amp a few years ago. Following.

billbillw · May 2020

4th call...another couple weeks and I'll just have to take my luck with a local repair guy.

billbillw · June 2020

So, It's been a month, 4-calls, 2-emails, also tried to contact the bench guy in Washington. Nobody involved with LSA previously will respond to me. Guess I'll try my luck with a local repair guy. At this point, I've almost written it off as a huge loss.

txcoastal1 · June 2020

Reach out to Walter at Underwood Hifi

billbillw · June 2020

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Reach out to Walter at Underwood Hifi

Walter was the 1st one I contacted. He gave me John Tucker's # and also gave me the bench guy's email. Walter is mainly a distributor. He warned me that John doesn't know how to run a business and doesn't return calls.

Well, this sucks, humbling

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