How good is the Vendetta SCP 2a phono amp compared to the newer stuff

[pcosta]

I have a friend with a Blowtorch with the phono option and get to listen to it often. Still one of the very few solid state phono's or preamps I would ever consider owning. Not many of them out there. Great piece that certainly hold up today to many of the big boys.

 

[A23]

I futzed around with the Vendetta a bit. One channel is much noisier than the other, though both are inaudible at "normal" volume. Grounding didn't do much if anything.

So there's parts that need replacing....just need to figure out which ones.

 

[Loheswaran]

I futzed around with the Vendetta a bit. One channel is much noisier than the other, though both are inaudible at "normal" volume. Grounding didn't do much if anything.

So there's parts that need replacing....just need to figure out which ones.

Please don't plug into your amp - don't take a risk

 

[A23]

The Vendetta is off to be serviced.

 

[BruceD]

The Vendetta is off to be serviced.

Thats excellent-it deserves the update-- pity one cannot obtain the Teflon caps--then you will really hear how the stage can perform
I presume you are aware the 2A inverts Phase.

GLWTV

BruceD

 

[Brian Walsh]

I presume you are aware the 2A inverts Phase.

Yes, this is correct. If John has the parts and can be convinced, get it upgraded to a 2T.

 

[A23]

Thanks for the reminder about the inverted polarity. What's the best approach to correct it? I used to flip the speaker connections, but I only listened to the Vendetta at the time.

I'm not familiar with the 2T upgrade. It would probably be a bit of overkill with my present system.

Now I'm concerned with the sourcing the best parts. Any advise?

 

[Loheswaran]

I've already asked John for the Teflon Caps - he told me not to bother and just enjoy - as said before replace the electrolytic and IC's - pm me ur email and I can tell you what was used by my tech.

 

[Brian Walsh]

I'm not familiar with the 2T upgrade.

T stands for Teflon (caps). I think there may be other things involved in the upgrade.

It would probably be a bit of overkill with my present system.

Some would say anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

 

[k600r]

The Vendetta is off to be serviced.

Hi,
I realize this post is older but since I just acquired a Vendetta SCP-2A with one faceplate, I thought I’d ask where you got yours serviced? I’ve only tried it out briefly and I’m getting some noise from my Wilson Watt/Puppies when gain is up but I haven’t tried moving power supplies around and played with grounding. Is that a possibility where the noise is from or would it be prudent to get the electrolytic caps replaced. Appreciate any knowledge you could pass my way as it took a long time to hunt one down and I would like to keep it working well.

 

[Loheswaran]

Hi,
I realize this post is older but since I just acquired a Vendetta SCP-2A with one faceplate, I thought I’d ask where you got yours serviced? I’ve only tried it out briefly and I’m getting some noise from my Wilson Watt/Puppies when gain is up but I haven’t tried moving power supplies around and played with grounding. Is that a possibility where the noise is from or would it be prudent to get the electrolytic caps replaced. Appreciate any knowledge you could pass my way as it took a long time to hunt one down and I would like to keep it working well.

Any noise switch it off. My electrolytics were blown it it killed a channel in my amp. What country are u in?

 

[Dierkx1]

thinking of selling. Any thoughts? Below is the info from the seller when I purchased in 2019. I do have access to JC through the SFAF

One Vintage John Curl Vendetta SCP-2C Phono Stage (C version Upgrade)

I am selling this for my friend
"This is a phono stage that we used in the Infinity Systems sound room somewhere in the 80’s. I, Bascom H. King, was able to get it for myself and have used it in my own systems over the years since. It always has sounded good to me. Note that this is a dedicated moving coil circuit with a gain of about 60 dB and an input impedance of 47K Ohms. This unit has been modified to have an additional input jack paralleled with the original for each channel. This allows the insertion of a RCA input plug with the desired moving coil loading for the moving coil pickup to the used. Included is a pair of such plugs with 100 Ohm resistors."

 

[Loheswaran]

Does anyone know how the Teflon capacitor upgrades were done? I understand that it was both the caps and some internal wire.

 

[Dierkx1]

I don't, I am bringing my Vendetta to JC this week and will confirm what is involved.

 

[Loheswaran]

I don't, I am bringing my Vendetta to JC this week and will confirm what is involved.

Lucky man - asked him to do mine but he wouldn’t

 

[Dierkx1]

bringing in for check up not T upgrade

 

[BruceD]

Does anyone know how the Teflon capacitor upgrades were done? I understand that it was both the caps and some internal wire.

Hello , Here are the Vendetta Teflon Modded A

and the Model 2B (Phase Corrected non T ) B

I gather the reason JC cannot mod the units now as the Caps are unobtainable

BD