[78-L] Thinking of replacing my Owl 1

[Doug Duncan]

If one channel of the amplifier carries on running then it doesn't seem 
very likely that the problem lies in the power switch.

Much more likely that there is a dry joint in the failing channel. I 
would start looking around the the switches particularly those that are 
used more frequently. If this is not something you would attack yourself 
I would expect that it would be easily fixed by a local electronics 
technician.

If I were on your side of the water I would offer to do it but I'm sure 
there will be someone in your area.

Doug


Jeffrey Lichtman wrote:
> For years I have been using an Owl 1 pre-amp for playing 78s. It has 
> starting giving me trouble in the past few months, so I'm thinking of 
> replacing it. Unfortunately, most pre-amps that have comparable 
> functions are very expensive. What I need are:
>
>     - selectable equalization curves (preferably with turnover and 
> rolloff separately selectable)
>     - channel selection: left, right, left + right, left - right (for 
> vertical recordings)
>
> I don't generally use the Owl's hiss and rumble filters - I prefer to 
> do this filtering after recording. It would be nice to have a stereo 
> output mode to allow the selection of the quieter channel 
> dynamically, but I've been doing without this for so long that I 
> don't see it as a necessity.
>
> The company that made the Owl 1 is out of business, so I can't send 
> it in for repair. It's possible that I can repair it myself - the 
> problem is that one channel drops out, and flicking the power switch 
> off and on will bring it back for a while. I suspect the problem is 
> the power switch itself.
>
> If I can't repair the Owl I will have to replace it. I found a 
> company in New Mexico that makes a comparable unit called the TDL 
> Technology Model 4010. They have a web site with the unit described here:
>
> http://www.tdl-tech.com/data4010.htm
>
> The price is right at $487, but it bothers me that they don't publish 
> technical specs that I can find: things like S/N ratio, distortion, etc.
>
> Does anyone here have experience with this pre-amp? Can anyone 
> suggest a different one?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>                         -        Jeff Lichtman
>                                  swazoo at rcn.com
>                                  Check out Swazoo Koolak's Web Jukebox at
>                                  http://swazoo.com/ 
>
>
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