Quad II amplifiers

Why Plasmason?

Plasmason was created to provide service for those who own and love their vintage audio gear. We strongly believe that restoring old equipment and giving it new life is an important part of helping the planet by reducing the over consumption of precious metals and raw materials used in all of today's consumer products.

Old radio from the 1930's

REGENERATE

Do you own an amplifier, pre-amplifier, tuner, or integrated amplifier that is ten to fifty years old? Did you know that the electronic components used in these products typically have a life expectancy of only seven to ten years? Electronic components deteriorate with aging and temperature cycling. This slow deterioration over time can significantly change the electrical performance and audio quality of the product. Resistors tend to change resistance value and given enough time, losing their tolerance. Electrolytic capacitors can have life expectancy as low as 10,000 hours (a little more than a year of continuous use). The high quality electrolytic, typically has a life expectancy of only 50,000 hours (five and a half years of continuous use). These components should be replaced! Other types of capacitors can also deteriorate, typically exposing the leak. Transistors can not only short or open junctions, they can also leak, or become noisy. Transistors can deteriorate without junction failures, primarily due to outward migration, following packet failures. Vacuum lamps or valves require periodic replacement, as well as having problems with shorting, leaking and emitting. Commercial products typically use the most cost effective components. Plasmason, will use the best components available. The carbon composition of the resistors is used to preserve the original sonic characteristics. Where practical, polypropylene or polystyrene capacitors are used due to their good signal characteristics and low dissipation factor. Vishay resistors and Auricaps are available upon request at additional cost. Where electrolytic is required, computer grade or high temperature long life types are chosen, shunted with polypropylenes. Using high quality capacitors in the signal path yields a dramatic sonic improvement in most amplifiers. Any amplifier with severe distortion or blown fuses is in need of repair. Severe impairment is usually due to problems with the amplifier's power stages; although any malfunctioning stage may produce distortion. Blown fuses usually indicate problems with the power supply or amplifier output stages. The more subtle signs of a malfunctioning amplifier are mild to moderate distortion or a loss of musical clarity. These conditions could be due to aging and could be produced by any of the stages in the amplifier. If you have a transistor amplifier, here are some signs to look for, since determining if your amplifier is malfunctioning. Abnormal or uneven heating of the heat sinks, at idle, is a sign of incorrect currents, or the presence of compensation voltages, or both. If tapping the speaker switch on the amplifier makes a loud bang, that's a sign of compensating voltages. Not only will these conditions cause the amplifier to run hotter than normal, it can be destructive to loudspeakers. If you have a tube amplifier, here are some signs to look for, to determine if your amplifier is malfunctioning. Abnormal heating of the output transformers is a sign of bias or unbalance problems. A dull red glow from the internal tube structure or power tubes at idle is a sign of bias problems. If the internal structures of the power tubes glow bright red at idle, your amplifier is probably already destroyed. Biasing problems can cause lamps to draw too much current, resulting in shortened lamp life, output transformer heating, and additional power dissipation which could damage the supply transformer.

LITTLE TIPS

Little tips Tube amplifiers ****WARNING **** Tube equipment, of all types, operating at very high (deadly) voltages. No attempt to service, modify or even tamper with the internal workings of any tube equipment should be made by anyone who is competent. Plasmason does not accept liability for damage to equipment or persons resulting from this article. Some "don'ts" NEVER OPERATE ANY AMPLIFIER WITHOUT SPEAKERS CONNECTED. - You run the risk of serious damage to output transformers or tubes. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONNECT A SIGNAL CABLE WHILE THE AMPLIFIER IS ON. - There's a good chance of blowing your speakers. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE A TUBE WHILE THE UNIT IS ON. - You will burn yourself and possibly damage the amplifier and speakers. NEVER RE-TURN ON AN AMP YOU JUST TURNED OFF. - This can damage the filament tension and blow fuses. You must leave the amp at least 1 minute before turning it back on. DO NOT CHANGE THE MAINS VOLTAGE. - The network voltage in France is 230 volts. If your amplifier has adjustable mains don't modify it in an effort to get more power or overcome tube life. You risk damaging your equipment. Some things to do... PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VENTILATION ALL AROUND YOUR EQUIPMENT. - If you must place an amplifier on the floor make sure it is placed on a solid base. There must be a lot of air below. Some amplifiers, such as LEAK, do not have feet and it is wise to have them fitted. USING DECENT WIRING FOR SPEAKERS AND INTERCONNECTIONS. - You don't have to spend a fortune, but don't use telephone cable / car speaker cable or the offered interconnects that come with most equipment. A $200 CD player hooked up to your amp with a $50 interconnect will almost always sound better than a $300 CD player tied to the $2.50 worth of interconnects that are usually given with the player. 2.5mm strong network cable makes for a great budget speaker cable. MAKE SURE YOUR SPEAKERS ARE CONNECTED CORRECTLY. - Speakers must be connected to the corresponding terminals on both speakers and the amplifier. "+" to "+" and "-" to "-" or "red" to "red" and "black" to "black". Connecting a speaker of the polarity will cause a big hole in the soundstage and a lack of bass. Tubes remove carefully. - Some of the big tubes can be very tight in their bases. A side of the very small side shift, while pulling up will ensure that they are secure. The small valves need to be pulled out with a bit of a pull. Do not rock side to side with force as this may damage the contacts and may come off the locating pin on large tubes. Allow the tubes to heat through. - Normally at least 48 hours of continuous heating is required before the benefits of the new tubes are heard. POLARIZATION. - Some devices have manual bias adjustments. These should be set up by an experienced engineer who has the appropriate test equipment. This should be done when you replace the outlet tubes and at regular intervals in between.

Dynaco Mk IV

CUSTOM MADE AND MODIFICATIONS

Plasmason can provide custom built equipment, or modifications, optimizations for existing equipment. Projects are handled on a case by case basis, please email us outlining your requirements. PAYMENT TERMS: Plasmason accepts personal checks and credit cards pay through Paypal. Payment is due in European Union (Euro) funds, before the device is returned to the customer. Personal checks and credit card transactions must be cleared prior to shipping.

Aurora for plasmason

OPTIMIZATIONS:

A device sent to Plasmason for optimization will have all passive components in the signal path replaced, tubes that will be tested except transformers, or transistor sockets, etc. Carbon composition resistors, polypropylene or polystyrene capacitors where practical, shall be used to replace the original components. If large value electrolytic capacitors are in the signal path, they will be replaced with high temperature, long life, shunted types of polypropylene capacitors. Active components will be replaced as required. The device will meet or exceed original factory specifications upon completion of optimization. A device sent for optimization will be evaluated to determine the cost and availability of parts and the time required to perform the optimization. A quote will then be prepared to advise the customer of the cost and time required to obtain the parts and perform the optimization. Ratings will be emailed to customer within one week of receipt of unit. Units will carry a one hundred and eighty day unconditional warranty covering parts replaced and labor required to replace parts. This warranty does not cover parts that have not been replaced. The customer is responsible for shipping and reshipping charges to the repair facility. If the customer does not want to have the device repaired, the fee of 65.00 euros will be assessed to cover the cost of evaluating the device and preparing the estimate. PAYMENT TERMS: Plasmason accepts personal checks and credit cards pay through Paypal. Payment is due in European Union (Euro) funds, before the device is returned to the customer. Personal checks and credit card transactions must be cleared prior to shipping.

Tube testing

TUBETESTING SERVICE

Lampmeter Test Tube-tester is a measuring instrument designed to test vacuum electronic tubes. Plasmason can test your valves (tubes). Filament continuity test. Short-circuit detection between filaments, cathode, grids, and/or anode. Measurement of the emission power of the cathode. The airy tubes are identified. Often the tube is tested as a diode and it is the average rectified current which makes it possible to determine its emission power. B&K Dynajet 707 Tube tester Radio City Products Model 803 and Metrix 310 lamp meters. We will provide a written report of all test results tube inspection is 4 euros/tube

Empire cartridge on a record

TURNTABLE SERVICE

Cleaning lubrication and adjustment of your beloved turntable, Plasmason can update your cartridge, motor drive circuit, suspension system, tone arm cables interconnects etc.

CONTACT

Arrange a meeting by telephone or email to discuss your needs plasmason@gmail.com or 06 86 26 40 05