VAC doesn't reply to emails.

Yeah, it can happen as pots age. Years ago, I had a local tech work on a couple of my vintage amps and vividly remember him boldly spraying a healthy dose of (probably) dexoit into a couple pots. So that could possibly be done without sending the amp to VAC, though it looks like you’ll have to get past at least an outer canister.

Not sure what pot they used here, but it would have to have an integrated motor if it’s a remote model. These days, that usually means a motorized Alps RK27 at this price point, and even up to $10K or more. I HATE that pot; it’s always been notably worse sounding than alternatives like from TKD (they are more expensive).

If it were me, and I really liked the amp, I might ask VAC about bypassing the pot and using a Khozmo passive preamp upstream - though it’s no guarantee that’s a good option here (impedance matching, etc).

Yeah, it's a remote model, I'll just leave it alone for now. In a few years I may send it to VAC for service. In fact, I don't change the volume too often, so it's minor.

@inna  how do you like the Avatar and how long have you owned it?

pdreher,I have owned the Avatar SE for a year and a half. I really like the sound and it is a very good match with my warmer sounding two way floor standing 89db speakers. I use it exclusively in ultralinear mode, in triode mode there is not enough power and I hear no advantages. After I bought it I replaced all tubes with NOS. Using Mullard 12AX7 longplates in preamp, RCA blackplates 12AU7 in the driver position and SED Svetlana Winged C EL34 power tubes. For the moment, Brimar 12AX7 are in the phono stage, but I don't like them and will replace them with either same Mullard or perhaps RCA or Raytheon blackplates later.

I intend to keep this amp for a long time, until I can go into higher level tube separates realm. But then I would have to upgrade the speakers as well, seriously upgrade.

This is a warmer but not artificially warm sounding amp, I think it's the right balance, I like this VAC sound a lot.

inna sounds like a dirty pot any competent local tech should be able to clean it for you in minutes no need to ship the amp back to Vac.