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EQUIPMENT FORUMS >> CSP3 >> CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
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Message started by marcvs66 on 07/23/19 at 23:47:15

Title: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by marcvs66 on 07/23/19 at 23:47:15

So, I just bought a plain walnut base (in the classified section) to replace the black figured base that my CSP3 came with originally.

Sounds easy enough - however - I was wondering... is there any danger of me electrocuting myself?

I'm fairly new to tube audio equipment - but I have a few tube guitar amplifiers w/ big caps in them, that I would not dare open up at all. Does the same rule apply to the CSP3? Are the caps inside the CSP3 holding harmful amounts of electricity that can potentially kill me, if I touch them?

Do I have to take my CSP3 to a specialist to have the base swapped?

Thanks for the advise.


Title: Re: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by Lon on 07/24/19 at 00:14:09

Marc, definitely a risk. See this post and this thread:

https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1563748071/5#5

BUT I have removed and put back on the top of these amps and preamps and have been able to do so without touching any of the underside caps or any components, so it can be done carefully and safely.

Title: Re: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by Archie on 07/24/19 at 00:28:30

I've poked around all of my amps and lived to tell the tale.  Just unscrew the top screws (carefully, you don't want to blemish them), lift by the transformer and place in the new base.  I'll bet the plate holes even line up if it's a used base.

Title: Re: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by pursuitofnow on 07/24/19 at 04:04:58

I swapped the base recently on my ZP3 and it was super easy. Just grab it by the transformer and lift and place. The new base didn't come with the shielding the original had and I was worried for a half second it may be noisier. Was not the case.

Title: Re: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by marcvs66 on 07/24/19 at 16:22:29

Thanks everybody for their input - much appreciated. Sounds like swapping the base will be something that I can do myself. I'll disconnect the CSP3 for a couple of days prior and will let it sit - just as an extra precaution (this will also give me an opportunity to run my new ZROCK2 directly into my Torii w/out a pre-amp - and see how that sounds). Touch from the top only - use the transformer as a 'handle' - easy enough.

Title: Re: CSP3 base-swap... how DANGEROUS is it?!
Post by marcvs66 on 07/28/19 at 22:50:43

I did the base-swap earlier today. Super easy. The CSP3 fits perfect into the 'new' ZP3 base - all screw-holes aligned just fine. The walnut base looks splendid. It's like owning a whole new preamp!

Running the set-up w/out the CSP3 (ZROCK2 straight into Torii MkIV) sounded OK - but a little anemic. The CSP3 adds some kid of richness and dimension in my opinion. Glad to have it back in my system.

Thanks again for everybody's posts.

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