This is an quite early AVA solid state preamp built in our first generation small preamp chassis. Its vintage is in the 1990a
This unit has phono circuits as well as line and headphone driver circuits. It was very nice sounding for its day.
The most likely "weak link" in the design is the Tape-Input rocker switch. This switch has self cleaning contacts when it is used, but its function, tape monitoring, is often never used by the owner. In this case the switch contacts degrade over time and eventually cause signal drop outs. There are several cures, the easiest is to get a can of Caig Labs Deoxit D5 contact cleaner, spray the insides of all four rocker switches from the inside of the chassis directly into the switch connection lugs, and then cycle each switch on and off a hundred times or so. This usually restores normal function. We do have higher quality replacement switches available here for any needed repairs.
Newer AVA preamplifiers all have gold contact pushbutton switches and that old issue has long since been eliminated.
Note that we can install our newest Insight+ audio circuits in this chassis for $595, bringing its performance up to the standards of a new AVA solid state preamplifier.
Note that our new solid state preamp circuits now include a not yet officially announced ultra high quality passive EQ phono section, based on a drastically upgraded passive EQ phono stage we did in a very early Van Alstine preamp in the 1970s. More about this very soon.
Regards,
Frank Van Alstine
