[78-L] Thinking of replacing my Owl 1

Doug Duncan d_duncan at ntlworld.com
Thu Nov 13 14:38:24 PST 2008


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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