PL 4000 preamp

[Michael F]

Good, Bad or Ugly? I have an opportunity to get one of these, apparently in mint shape with cabinet, worth looking into? What would a fair price be?
TIA

 

[laatsch55]

A lot of inherent problems, all fixable though. It's one of those pre amps that needs used regularly to keep the connectors, pots and switches silent.

 

[Michael F]

Hmm.. Just looking at some naked shots reveals a lot of mother/daughter board connections, I`m not too crazy about PC mounted rca`s either. What do they sound like?

 

[laatsch55]

Don't know. Gonna find out though. Got 4 of them here to go through... Joe has had one for quite some time, he could tell ya.

 

[laatsch55]

There are no direct swapout RCA's either.

 

[Gepetto]

Hmm.. Just looking at some naked shots reveals a lot of mother/daughter board connections, I`m not too crazy about PC mounted rca`s either. What do they sound like?

Not great
it uses a first generation RC4136 quad OP amp in the signal path. Not a very musical OP amp

 

[laatsch55]

Joe, would it have problems with the Brown Dog adapter sporting 2 OPA 2134's??

 

[Gepetto]

Joe, would it have problems with the Brown Dog adapter sporting 2 OPA 2134's??

No problem there Lee, but the intermittent connection problems remain. Pretty preamp, not very reliable

 

[Michael F]

Thanks guys, I think I`ll stick with the Crown, outstanding preamp though I wish it had a remote.

 

[orange]

Think of that as a mini-exercise program...although it won't get you a six pack after a few six packs.

 

[Michael F]

I could use all the exercise I can get, recovering from a heart attack I just miss the convenience of remote volume control.

 

[laatsch55]

Thanks guys, I think I`ll stick with the Crown, outstanding preamp though I wish it had a remote.

What Crown pre-amp??

 

[orange]

I think you can Preamp a Crown with ice.

 

[Michael F]

What Crown pre-amp??

My Crown "receiver"

 

[laatsch55]

Hard to believe a 40 year old amp will hold it's own with that stuff.

 

[Gepetto]

Thanks guys, I think I`ll stick with the Crown, outstanding preamp though I wish it had a remote.

Good choice Mike...you would have cursed us if you picked up the 4000.