Note: The wall wort specs read 6VDC 1000mA

The Grace 101 reads 6VDC 800mA

Could this be the cause? Also, I tries plugging the 101 into

different power outlets and got the same result: a steady rise in signal

until redline...which is strange because nothing is plugged in to the pre.

I know it is actual screaming noise because at one point I plugged the pre

into a mixer (balanced out into balanced in) and heard the menacing

screech through some headphones laying a few feet away. F#$k!!

Assuming that you know what your doing and how to interface the gear you have, (and that can be a very big assumption) It would appear that you have a defective unit. Contact the maker for warranty repair or your favorite repair shop.

Yes, I am a noob...but I think with only the supplied ac adapter plugged in to the pre, that the Grace's LED should not be slammed in the red. I thought perhaps that it was the wrong ac adapter for the pre???

Well...lesson learned the hard way...no more ebay gear. The buyer had 100% positive on 70+ items over 5 years so I thought I was safe.

lawless wrote: Note: The wall wort specs read 6VDC 1000mA. The Grace 101 reads 6VDC 800mA. Could this be the cause? Also, I tries plugging the 101 into different power outlets and got the same result: a steady rise in signal until redline...which is strange because nothing is plugged in to the pre. I know it is actual screaming noise because at one point I plugged the pre into a mixer (balanced out into balanced in) and heard the menacing screech through some headphones laying a few feet away. F#$k!!

The power supply rating is fine, as long as it's a regulated unit. It may be too late, but make sure the connector is wired correctly such that the + and - outputs of the power supply go to the + and - power input pins of the 101.

The problem sounds like high frequency oscillation inside the pre-amp. This may possibly be due to poor output filtering in the power supply, but, as AudioGaff says, it's more likely to be a fault in the pre-amp, which will require a service.

I've had lots of good bargains from Ebay, but you get what you pay for, wall warts and all.

You have the gain knob all the way to the left, the trim knob all the way to the right and 48V(phantom power) OFF...right?

Space wrote: You have the gain knob all the way to the left, the trim knob all the way to the right and 48V(phantom power) OFF...right?

Yes, That is how I first turned the unit on. I then connected a cond. mic and turned phantom power on and about that time I noticed the red light.
Since then, I tested to see if the pre would red line w/out anything plugged into it...and to my dismay it did.

On the plus side, I contacted the seller and he is willing to take the pre back and expressed regret that the unit arrived broken.

Pleas say you didn't buy it on ebay. There's been a few scams going on.