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Help: Need schematic for (Signature or Nobis) tube preamp and amp

fredcohiba

fredcohiba

Super Member
I have some wonderful tube audio equipment I purchased from a store called Sound Investments, a Glendale, Wisconsin high end audio store run by Brian Bienfang. Sadly, he is now out of business. He hand built the equipment under the name Signature Technology. Previous to that, there is some connection with him to a Menomonee Falls, WI company called Nobis who had a popular amp called the Cantabile - reviewed in Stereopile.

I am looking for schematics for the preamp and amp as it now appears as if the preamp is needing some service.

Preamp is model # SRp-7g
Amplifier is model # SRa-4

Any help or assistance you could provide is appreciated.
 
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Generally speaking you won't find many "hand built" pieces schematics floating around.
Have you tried contacting Brian Bienfang himself to see if may be able to provide them?
 
I don't know how to contact Brian. When I was at the store closing sale in Sept, I heard he was very ill and unfortunately, no longer able to be involved in the business.
He sold a bunch of these units over the years so I am hoping someone who has one, has the schematics and is also a AKer sees this. I know, long odds.
 
So, my items don't carry a lot of market share so no luck with schematics.
The next question then is where can I get the units serviced by someone very competent in the greater Milwaukee area? I would hate to ship these as they have Mac style glass front panels. Thanks Karmaites.
 
Well, I too bought a Nobis from Brian, maybe back in 2002. Awhile back, I lost the power supply in my AMC preamp, so everything sat, maybe 6 years. I called a few high-end dealers in town recently, and they all recommended the same repair shop.

He worked on the preamp, updated tube sockets, caps, did a great job for me. He had been familiar with the AMC and also had the related schematics. The Nobis was a different story... The unit sat long enough, that I now had to get this worked on. No-one has schematics, or if they do, they're in hiding. In short, the way the bias is configured, turned out to be the most confusing aspect of the repair. I just got this back, yesterday, and I'm still grinning.

The only contact I see for Brian, was on a webpage... HelloTrade - Signiture Technologies,Inc ... And whether it's active or not, I don't know, but there is an email enquiry tab.

J
 
I've tried the Sig Tech contact link you refer to and can't make it work...tells me I'm not including a valid phone. Just started a separate thread about a Signature SRa-8 amp I picked up recently and am looking for a manual/schematic.
 
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Nobis

a few things... I lived in Milwaukee, but now live in KC. Actually, I traded some gifted Vandersteens that were rattling like walnuts in a hubcap...in 97, a week before moving, that's when i bought my equipment with trade-in, from Brian. He stressed that anyone good can service the Nobis equipment. As stated, the bias setup seems to be a little confusing. Who I used in town here, initially set the bias based on voltage... I'm running Signiture 2.1's with a sub. When I got it home, I had big gaps in the sound. When I set the bias as intended (extinguishing the LED"s), the full sound was back. From further discussion, I guess the unit pushes more than a 100% of the the tube rating, but the sound - oh so good!

In KC, I've been going to audiomart. In Milwaukee, unless you were able to get a common referral from some high end dealers (maybe in Madison) , I wouldn't know. I do know Jim (in Conservation at the Milwaukee Art Museum) was a LOYAL client of Brian's..... He may know the tech who worked for Brian. Just tell Jim, jack, a museum guy in KC - thought he may have some info on who to go to, for repairing Brian's equipment.

I waited years, before i could afford the time and expense to drive beck north, to hand deliver the unit, for work. Once I realized that he closed, i had no choice.

Best, Jack
 
Signature stuff

Hey Fred,

I hope you and family are happy and well, and most importantly, ready to eat some poultry meat!

Years ago, I was given a pair of Vandersteen speakers. They were big, they looked good... and beyond that, I knew nothing. At the time, I ran a basic KLH reciever with a tape deck!, certainly nothing of power. After a year and a half, the speakers started rattling like walnuts in a hubcap... On the 1st visit to Sound investments, Brian bought them from me, sight-unseen, for $1500, and that's how I started in to the world of good equipment.

Currently, I'm running Signature 2.1 speakers, SW5 signature sub, a Nobis Cantabile power amp, with an AMC 1030CVT preamp. At some point, I'd like to get back into some Vandersteens, but they need a reasonable amount of power. So let me say this...

If you ever entertain the idea of upgrading your Signature CD player, preamp, or power Amp, I'm ready to help :) ... I know what Brian sold them for, and I'm comfortable with the value they retain. Or, if you catch wind of any equipment floating around out there, please send them my way. !st, the Signature SRd-23b CD player,. 2nd, the SRp-7g preamp, then the SRa-4 power Amp.

It's one of the few pleasures, that's completely sefindulgent, but when the sounds are good, it makes life so good.

Stay healthy-happy,

Jack vanderwerf







fredcohiba said:
I have some wonderful tube audio equipment I purchased from a store called Sound Investments, a Glendale, Wisconsin high end audio store run by Brian Bienfang. Sadly, he is now out of business. He hand built the equipment under the name Signature Technology. Previous to that, there is some connection with him to a Menomonee Falls, WI company called Nobis who had a popular amp called the Cantabile - reviewed in Stereopile.

I am looking for schematics for the preamp and amp as it now appears as if the preamp is needing some service.

Preamp is model # SRp-7g
Amplifier is model # SRa-4

Any help or assistance you could provide is appreciated.
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