So I get the Audible Illusions Modulus 2c pre amp back. Here’s what he did. Resoldered circuit board completely - cold joints. Repaired volume control. Replaced noisy tubes. Bench tested for 8 hours. I plug it in and I’m getting crackling white noise on the left side. It plays sound, and then I noticed it is microphonic, amplifying the sound of the mute switch when I push it. I’m going to call them tomorrow but it’s disappointing.
I might not have searched skillfully enough for an answer... but who did the work? I'm particularly interested because I've been using a Modulus 3 exclusively for about 18 years. It's very reliable.
Not sure what AI is like now.
When I acquired a 2D about 15 years ago and had a problem with it I called up and the owner Art picked up the phone.
He was very accommodating even though I bought the unit used. To the point that he actually gave me a faceplate off one of his personal units because mine had been damaged in transit from the seller and they didn’t have anymore in stock.
Turn around took a while, but I was OK with it.
He went over it for me replaced a mute switch and put in a matched set of tubes for a very reasonable price.
The push button mute switch is glitchy again, but it’s been 15 years. I think they are just poorly designed or require cleaning regularly.
When I acquired a 2D about 15 years ago and had a problem with it I called up and the owner Art picked up the phone.
He was very accommodating even though I bought the unit used. To the point that he actually gave me a faceplate off one of his personal units because mine had been damaged in transit from the seller and they didn’t have anymore in stock.
Turn around took a while, but I was OK with it.
He went over it for me replaced a mute switch and put in a matched set of tubes for a very reasonable price.
The push button mute switch is glitchy again, but it’s been 15 years. I think they are just poorly designed or require cleaning regularly.
They got it working. Replaced another tube and capacitor, cleaned the mute switch five times. No issues now! I'm very happy with the sound.
Maybe they will be more careful the next time. Callbacks are expensive for both parties.
They didn't charge me for the second time. They said something happened. It's a bit confusing, but it sounds good now, and that's what matters. The turnaround was pretty quick both times too.
Not knowing more than your brief description, I'd say a bad tube and or a bad tube socket. Microphonics are really hard for other circuit components and easy for tubes, so that's the likely cause of that portion of your complaint. The crackliness could be a tube or a bad solder joint etc. but he's fixed now and you are good. I would have suggested swappig tubes across channels to test. If you have that microphonic/noise problem in future try swapping channels with the tubes and see if it follows.
Sheldon
Sheldon