A400 service/mod in Kent/SE England
Indeed. Age has matured my taste in a way I couldn't have understood as a young man 20 years ago. Oh and I'd still love to hear an A400.
the A400 is for my kitchen; it's quite a big space probably 12ft x 30ft and at the moment I'm running a set of Kef Crestas until I can upgrade; My dad has always had Mission speakers and across the Net the 75x series are mentioned often.......What I am really after is the lows and highs from the speakers; I listen to a lot of electronic and dance music with barely and vocals so bottom end and tops are essential
In that case I'd recommend 734 or 735s...!
The CV I owned were AT-12s. The newer the Cerwin-Vegas are, the better they are. Also good second hand speakers for electronic music and rocking out are floorstanding JBLs and Infinitys. Bigger Mission speakers as well.
However, I think you should seriosly consider the NEW Pioneer SP-FS52 speakers. Great vlaue for money and designed by Andrew Jones.
Their more expensive borthers are the Pioneer SP-FS51. I believe you can audition these at HiFi shops now as they are current models.
Avoid metal dome tweeters.
Cheers
The CV I owned were AT-12s. The newer the Cerwin-Vegas are, the better they are. Also good second hand speakers for electronic music and rocking out are floorstanding JBLs and Infinitys. Bigger Mission speakers as well.
However, I think you should seriosly consider the NEW Pioneer SP-FS52 speakers. Great vlaue for money and designed by Andrew Jones.
Their more expensive borthers are the Pioneer SP-FS51. I believe you can audition these at HiFi shops now as they are current models.
Avoid metal dome tweeters.
Cheers
I had a pair of JBL floorstanders in the past TX series I think...thy went loud but I didn't go much on the bass response. I shall check out the above. Many thanks!
... Avoid metal dome tweeters.
Cheers
Interesting. Why is that?
regards
Hi,
With regard to somebody to fix the amp if the advice here doesn't work (and I suspect that replacement may be the best way forward) and based in Kent I can highly recommend this 'chap' (it does seem to be a one man band):
Scan Electronic Service
64 Cayser Drive
Kingswood
Maidstone
Kent
ME17 3QF
01622 842564 / 843900 and/or info@scanelectronicservices.co.uk
I had a dodgy PCB board in a LInn Klout and he did all the hunting around for a replacement after Linn didn't want to look at it for less than £300 with no guarantee of fixing it. As it was reasonably local it was worth a go (and avoided P&P) and worked very well. The chap (whose name I’m afraid I can’t remember) is an electronics engineer so will diagnose and fix rather than advise on any mods. If you know the mod you want I’m sure he’d do it for you.
There is also an option of charging/payment. The most obvious is a flat fee of £30 (it may have gone up!) non-refundable but any further cost is parts only.
I have also been recommended a chap in Canterbury but I’m at work and haven’t got the details with me
(I have no personal affiliation with either!)
Good luck.
With regard to somebody to fix the amp if the advice here doesn't work (and I suspect that replacement may be the best way forward)
... Avoid metal dome tweeters.
Cheers
Interesting. Why is that?
regards
As if you don't know why... LOL 
I had the A400 paired with various "on the budget" speakers with metal dome tweeters and noticed that it produces fatigueness in longer listening sessions with electronic music and brass instruments. It is a known fact/myth about the A400 I believe. Tannoy Profile 632 did rather well paired with the A400 regardless its aluminium tweeter. So it is an ON&OFF thing and ones hearing (Tinnitus) and preferences has a lot to do with it. Just to be on the safe side I personally recommend soft dome tweeters, especially silk.
As if you don't know why... LOL
I had the A400 paired with various "on the budget" speakers with metal dome tweeters and noticed that it produces fatigueness in longer listening sessions with electronic music and brass instruments. It is a known fact/myth about the A400 I believe. Tannoy Profile 632 did rather well paired with the A400 regardless its aluminium tweeter. So it is an ON&OFF thing and ones hearing (Tinnitus) and preferences has a lot to do with it. Just to be on the safe side I personally recommend soft dome tweeters, especially silk.
No problem. It was more the statement; 'avoid anything using metal dome tweeters' that I found questionable. Way to simple. They have their advantages and disadvantages. Implementation is arguably more important than the material used. I have heard plenty of good and bad examples of either.
I guess its one of hifi's 'general assumption' things ...
regards
but, to be very honest, dump it and get a decent amp.
Hi plastic penguin
In the Pioneer A-400 the OP has got a truly great amplifier 
All the best
Rick @ Musicraft
Musicraft (Derby), Specialist Hi-Fi/AV & Multimedia Dealer
good accurate audio monitoring and good sound reproduction to all
Hi,
With regard to somebody to fix the amp if the advice here doesn't work (and I suspect that replacement may be the best way forward) and based in Kent I can highly recommend this 'chap' (it does seem to be a one man band):
Scan Electronic Service
64 Cayser Drive
Kingswood
Maidstone
Kent
ME17 3QF
01622 842564 / 843900 and/or info@scanelectronicservices.co.uk
I had a dodgy PCB board in a LInn Klout and he did all the hunting around for a replacement after Linn didn't want to look at it for less than £300 with no guarantee of fixing it. As it was reasonably local it was worth a go (and avoided P&P) and worked very well. The chap (whose name I’m afraid I can’t remember) is an electronics engineer so will diagnose and fix rather than advise on any mods. If you know the mod you want I’m sure he’d do it for you.
There is also an option of charging/payment. The most obvious is a flat fee of £30 (it may have gone up!) non-refundable but any further cost is parts only.
I have also been recommended a chap in Canterbury but I’m at work and haven’t got the details with me
(I have no personal affiliation with either!)
Good luck.
Really great post, thanks for your help I have already taken the details down and will keep hold of them! If you do happen to find the Canterbury details, I would also be grateful for these, as I live really close to Canterbury.
It's the first time I have come across the volume pot; a double-jobby....I should say maybe the "sensitive" comment I made was a bit premature, it seems to be just fine (but still the crackle which i will look at with some cleaner)
Another question: With the A400 bing so popular back when it was released, I'm guessing it has been paired up with almost every CD player going? Can any one remember what the best choices were back in the 90's to match the A400 (I'd like to keep the amp and CD player from the same era) Budget (used equipment obviously) up to £80
Hi castleview11
Rotel's RCD965BX and Pioneer's PDS-904 are worth a look
All the best
Rick @ Musicraft
Musicraft (Derby), Specialist Hi-Fi/AV & Multimedia Dealer
good accurate audio monitoring and good sound reproduction to all
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I remember reading the WHF review of the A400 like it was only yesterday. At the time I was kind of in the market for a new amp, but I was young and I couldn't bring myself to buy an amp which didn't have a loudness button and tone controls. I held off for a year or two then while WHF where raving about the Kenwood 3020SE, I bought a Kenwood 5020 instead, which I kidded myself was basically the same amp with the all-important tone controls and loudness button. It wasn't, of course.
I did the same in my early twenties!! I couldn't see at the time owning a system without tone controls...I grew up around my folk's late 80's digital equalizers etc and thought you required all that to get a decent sound. I've owned SO much audio equipment over the years, always bought new til recently and have usually been unlucky/poor research I guess!