[darkmoebius]

I just finished moving houses and haven't used my audio system in 3-5 months.  I'd like to burn-in my ss Gram Slee Era Gold mkV phono pre(+41.5dB gain) and GS Elevator "transformerless" MC stepup amp(+22.5dB gain) because the manufacturer states:

*  These products require a break-in period of approximately 3-4 weeks to reach best performance.
*  They are also designed to be left powered up.
*  After disconnection from the power, they will require a further few days break-in period to return to full performance.
*  BURN-IN TIME is the period the circuit requires to be left powered-on from new for the entire circuit to stabilize. Until then performance will not be as advertised.

I don't want to accidentally harm anything, so what is the best way to approach burning these in and how long?
Connect the EXP stepup inputs to the FryPro MC rca's and then the EXP to the Era phono with the FryPro on "low"?
And do I need to connect the Era phono to anything while this is going on?

Also, I have the older plastic chassis FryKleaner Pro, in another thread on the new FryPro II, Jim H. posted:

Actually, the original FRYPRO was wired differently.  It was a hybrid that did both voltage and current modes at the same time.  I had thought it was an improvement over the original FRYKLEANER.

But now I am thinking it may not be as complete.  So I am reverting back to doing both modes separately.  I haven't proved it, but suspect it might be a little better.  More hassle for customer, though!

Is there an easy way to modify the older Fry Pro's to operate in separate voltage & current modes?

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

GS Era specs:

Gain                            41.5 db
Input Sensitivity           2mv to 9mv
Input Impedance          47k and 100pF
Output                         240mV - 1.08V
Headroom               26dB ref 2mV input
Output Noise "A" wtd.    -77 db
Distortion                  less than 0.02%
Frequency Response     5Hz to 2.7 MHz
Reproduction Curve    RIAA with 50kHz EQ

They don't mention anything about the EXP's input sensitivity or overload rating.

[hagtech]

Connect the EXP stepup inputs to the FryPro MC rca's and then the EXP to the Era phono with the FryPro on "low"?

Yes.  Or you might be able to use "HI".  I'd connect the output of the phono and listen.  That will confirm reasonable signal levels.  It won't take 3-4 weeks.  Expect to have most of it done in about 2 days with a FRYKLEANER.

Is there an easy way to modify the older Fry Pro's to operate in separate voltage & current modes?

Inside, you'll see the bottom row of RCA connectors do not have their shields grounded.  Ground them.  Now voltage mode is top row only, current mode is when you loop it from top to bottom.

jh

[Big Jim]

Not to hijack a thread or anything but how long would it take without using a FryKleaner? You know, merely spinning vinyl, what would be the total time?

[hagtech]

Hard to say.  Probably somewhere 2x to 10x.  Without music is worst case. 

jh

[darkmoebius]

Inside, you'll see the bottom row of RCA connectors do not have their shields grounded.  Ground them.  Now voltage mode is top row only, current mode is when you loop it from top to bottom.

Just to make sure, the assembly manual/schematic has the center/signal post grounded, too. So, both shield and center are grounded on the bottom two rca's?

I hooked everything up through a SS receiver to my speakers and definitely hear the waverform. It's not too loud on the lowest volume setting of the receiver, but not something my new apartment neighbors would like to hear for hours on end.  Adjusting the "lo"/"med"/"hi" setting on the FryPro seems to have little (or no)effect on volume level, although it seems like there is more "hash" in the sound wave. Also, it seems to cycle faster on "hi".

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Will turning the receiver off cause any damage to my phono pre playing into it?

[hagtech]

Yes, ground both center conductor and shield (bottom row).  Ok to leave receiver on.

jh

[darkmoebius]

Yes, ground both center conductor and shield (bottom row).  Ok to leave receiver on.

Thanks, a simple little solder job and all is well. I have to turn the speakers off at night for the sake of the neighbors, but I leave the receiver on.

I decided to daisy-chain all my interconnects while I'm at it. Can't hurt to freshen things up a bit while I'm at it. Might even run my SET amps for a day or two(w/ speakers attached).