Audio Research or Luxman?

Additional advice is appreciated. Just to clarify, when I placed the Chase between my source and connected to the Luxman main-in, the sound was audible from my speakers, but the volume level was very low and could not be adjusted up or down. Everything else on the Chase worked: balance, treble, bass. 

I don't want to use a simple potentiometer for volume adjustment as it would degrade sound quality, and I have learned how amazingly good the 19 year old Luxman amp sounds. When I use my Audio Research Reference 3 preamp or connect the Luxman directly to my PS Audio DirectStream Dac, it makes me wonder if I should look into a newer model Luxman.   

Jerry. You would be better off connecting the Chase between the pre out/main in jacks on the Luxman.

Elliott. I don't doubt your experience with the Chase, it was along time ago that we sold them and I tried it with an Audio Research tube preamp.

I ordered the two CDs you recommended.

That was a nice suggestion, rwwear2. Unfortunately, the issues with the   volume/balance pots on the Luxman continued to present themselves through the Chase. Balance drift and volume on/off issues persisted. I have boxed the Chase and will be sending it back to the seller. 

audiojerry

The Chase volume does start LOW, 2 red lights out of 5 lit. It's volume change is very many small steps, click click click ..., 3rd light, click, click  click ... 4th light  up to 5 lights then a few more clicks.. It ought to get pretty loud when 4 lights are lit.

Try it on a different amp. If volume (all features) does not work, then the Chase is defective, you should return it. You bought on eBay, so even if seller does not take returns, IF it is not what the seller said (working), PayPal will refund the money to you, then they go for a refund from the seller themselves.

Long Shot: One option is to try both outputs, try the rear, perhaps rear is working but the front outputs are dead. They are identical signal, early quad era, not a different rear.

There is nothing inside except a few printed circuit boards and a small transformer, no moving parts, so I don't know how some functions work and not others. 

I had one arrive dead. Transformer Connection broken, evidently UPS played football with it. Seller gave me a refund. Never had any issue with 3 of mine.

audiojerry

do the red lights change when you try up or down?

where do you live? I’m in Plainfield, Central NJ. If close enough, you can borrow one of my working units, I have a spare, and we can definitively prove yours does or does not work.

IOW, perhaps that Luxman has other problems, perhaps erratic.