Repair or mod CJ PV-12?

It really depends what you want to do with the unit and if you are wanting to save money. For a tech that is familiar with tube gear,replacing the transformer is not very difficult. Replacing the transformer with a different will possible require new holes to mount the transformer. The schematic for your unit is available on line.

As far as upgrading the unit, the only thing I would replace is the capacitors and resistors in the signal path. If you look at the schematic I could easily point those out to you.

Changing parts with change the sound signature of the piece of gear and will not help the resale. If your going to keep it, I would recommend just swapping out the transformer and if desired, changing a few capacitors and resistors in the phono stage and a and couple more in the line stage.

You can of course spend a extra money and have someone that's experienced with the unit do the mods for you.

All good points Detredwings, I agree. It is why I decided to go with Bill who completely understands my goals and is going along the lines you described along with a few other things that should enhance performance in the areas I felt lacking without changing the character of the design.

Tubegroover and Detredwings, thanks for the invaluable advice; I would replace the transformer my self if I could find one. CJ won't sell one, and I don't know where else to go.

Since the mod people can probably get a transformer, that could be included with the mod. CJ was not specific enough for me; while their minimum for inspecting the unit wasn't bad, there was no guarantee in regard to repair. There have been complaints (not against CJ) about no follow through after submitting up front money. New scams seem to be contagious and they come in waves.

I'll contact Bill Thalman in Virginia, and we'll keep each other posted on progress; thanks a lot.

There is a really good possibility that something else caused the transformer to go bad. I've heard of PS problems with those units. Anyway, good luck and let us know.

If you are saying they won't sell you a replacement part for a product they make that's unforgivable. That forces you to ship it to them and back plus get ripped off for labor prices.

They can go ahead and gouge on the part price. But replacing a transformer is simpler than most any repair. Assume you are a technician yourself. And you need to send it off?

It's no wonder hardly any dealers sell CJ. I wouldn't give them another dime more than you have to. And upgrading it means you will never get your money back. High end audio manufacturers are making cash grabs anymore.