2. amps-preamps
  3. 1014719740

Help My

I just bought a used Conrad Johnson PF-R pre-amp here on Audiogon and I'm having some problems. My amp (Citation7.1) keeps overloading (the red indicator light goes on and off and the unit shuts itself off altogether then comes back on It does this even when there is no music playing through it. If I turn the amp on (the CJ is always on) and just let it sit there, after about five or ten minutes the problem begins. I do not have this amp problem with any other pre-amp hooked up to it, it only occurs when the Conrad Johnson is connected to it. It seems really strange that this would happen even when there is no music playing. Is there some kind of short circuit going on in the CJ? I wanted some expert advice before I contact the seller about this problem. I should mention that the pre-amp itself never seems to show any signs of distress and when I'm playing music it sounds fantastic.

Thanks,

Steve
say811
kr4ef94
208 posts
 
Is there any DC offset on the output of the CJ?
say811 OP
27 posts
 
Well I don't see any swithes or adjustments of any kind, but other than that I don't know what a DC offset is.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
kr's question about possible DC on the preamp output is something to definitely check into; DC will put most amps immediately into protect mode. You'll probably need a scope for this test but a voltmeter might catch it as well. But before you go to the repair shop check your interconnects. A loose shield connection that makes / breaks at random could cause that amp to want to protect itself as well.
say811 OP
27 posts
 
I don't think it's the interconnects as I use the same ones with my other pre-amps and there is no problem. When you talk about DC on the preamp output, is this a normal condition or a sign that something is wrong with the unit. If the unit is defective I want to notify the seller. I think he offered a 90 day warranty on it. The other problem is that love the sound of it and would really like to keep it. If the seller will make good for repairs that would be great. Does anybody know of a good place to send it for repairs? I don't know of anyone.

Thanks,

Steve
mdomnick
331 posts
 
Definitly sounds like some sort of fault protection. I would get a watch and time it. Does this happen at the exact same time frame? Also, DO contact the seller. If he was good enough to offer the warrenty, use it!! Besides, he may know more about the unit since he did own it.
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