Concept Receiver Repair/Restoration

[Crummwoody]

I could use some help from AK members. I own a couple of Concept 11.0 receivers and need to know what service and restoration choices are out there.
I am aware of a business that services Concept, but I was told they have a waiting list greater than four years!
A lot can happen in that time.
There are no service manuals for the line, so some experience with and/or institutional knowledge of the brand would seem to be required.
Where have others gone to obtain service on these receivers?
Any assistance would be most helpful.

 

[Crummwoody]

Anyone?

 

[blhagstrom]

I am a Concept fan and collector and fix them myself. I am known of as a decent fixer and restorer. The is very little info that I know of for the Concepts so it’s raw skill to fix them. Restoring working units is not a problem.

 

[ivandezande]

Anyone?

I'm in the Twin Cities area and have done over 300 units, but still at that point pretty far away from you. Blhagstrom knows his stuff, I would absolutely recommend sending them his way.

 

[Crummwoody]

Thanks for the replies.
Actually, I get to the Twin Cities fairly often.
Also, I was in the Pacific Northwest last month.
Ivandezande- have you worked on Concepts as well?

Rob

 

[Fast4ward]

I'm looking for some help with my Concept 11.0. I just got it back from 5 months of servicing at Champlifier in Alameda CA and it smells strongly like copper/ fish (leaky elecrolytics?) and has a bad buzz in both channels. It's particularly worse if I activate the Tone Defeat switch or use the Loudness knob. If I have both disengaged, it more of a high pitched hiss than a buzz, but I can hear it constantly. I've tried disconnecting all inputs, switching inputs, different speakers, and multiple different power outlets around the apartment. It doesn't go away and I hear it with the volume knob all the way down. That said, if I turn the volume up past 5 I hear an additional hiss that is a different frequency and gets louder with increased volume.

I tried pulling the jumpers. There's a hiss from the power amp but the real buzz is from the preamp.

Does anyone have experience with these units? I'm in way over my head financially and my wife wants it out of the apartment because of the smell and the noise (and isn't happy about the money).

I'm going to try to bring it back to Sheldon at Champlifier and see if he can fix it, but I'd love to know if it's good money after bad, or if there's something in particular we should be looking for. Sheldon said he owns 2 of these and was working on another simultaneously with mine, so I figure he knows them well but he said there aren't good service manuals. Anyone have experience? I'm getting desperate!

 

[Crummwoody]

The Concept 11.0 is quite a receiver. Your unit should be checked before using again by someone who knows what what they are doing. Am I to understand that you just paid someone to repair and/ or restore yours and yet there are so many issues? I had two that only had one working channel, but was successfully made into a working unit. The tech that did the work was the head of tech for Magnolia Hi Fi in Seattle before Best Buy bought the company. Sadly, he passed away shortly thereafter. The universe of quality tech people is sadly shrinking.
An individual that goes by Pacific Stereo has a good reputation, but a waiting list of literally years, so not an immediate resource.
I would have a frank discussion with Champlifier and see what they do, since i understand they returned the unit to you as working, right. After that, if not successful, get back on the forum and someone will be able to assist (eventually).

 

[Fast4ward]

Thanks. Yes I'd originally reached out to the Pacific Stereo guy but he advised me to find another tech because he's so backlogged. I've reached out to Champlifier and haven't heard back yet, but I'm sure he'll respond in the next few days.