PS100 volume issue

Stage & Studio
1

Hello. I have PS100 that I got in late 2022. Great unit. I recommend it all the time. I also have a PS2
I use both from any amp (let’s say a jcm800)—> each output of the JCM speakers to each Powerstation then each PS back to cabinets of my choice. I have noticed recently an occasional jump in volume on my PS100 which then led me down the path of why?…. The amp is fine and nothing changes about it on its own. Only when I’m using the PS100. The PS2 is noticeably louder than the the PS100 as well. I changed tubes to no avail. I’ve switched all the buttons just to see. And no real change. Does this sound familiar to you guys as a problem. This thing should absolutely hammer out dB’s but it doesn’t. I didn’t notice because I’m the bedroom; I can’t notice. Live is way different and the volume is substantially less than the PS2. Thoughts please. Thanks

2

Hi @alundberg

Thanks for the helpful question.

Just to check, you are concerned about the volume changes coming from the speaker connected to the PS-100; also the volume of the PS-100 seems to not be as loud as the PS-2.

Can you describe the volume jumps?

  • How often to the volume jumps occur?
  • Is this a transient effect, i.e. does the volume jump up and then back down again very rapidly or does it remain at the jumped value?

Some things to check

Impedance settings: amplifier to Power Station

As you are using two speaker outs we need to take a bit of care with the impedance settings. Although this will not cause the jumping you described this could make the PS-100 appear quieter than the PS-2.

  • Use JCM 800 in 4 Ohm output
  • PS-100 Impedance selector for Amplifier should be 8 Ohms
  • PS-2 Impedance selector for Amplifier should be 8 Ohms

Or,

  • Use JCM 800 in 8 Ohm output
  • PS-100 Impedance selector for Amplifier should be 16 Ohms
  • PS-2 Impedance selector for Amplifier should be 16 Ohms

These are the only options you can use to impedance match your setup

Impedance settings: Power Station to speaker

You now need to match the settings, let’s say you have an 8 Ohm cab connected to the PS-100 and 16 Ohm cab connected to the PS-2, you would need to pick the following settings,

  • PS-100: Impedance selector for Speaker Out should be 8 Ohms
  • PS-2: Impedance selector for Speaker Out should be 16 Ohms.

Obviously, I don’t know the impedance of your speakers. But the important thing is to set the Impedance selector for Speaker Out on back of the both power stations to the impedance of the speaker. Unlike connecting those to a single head, running them from two different power amps does not half the impedance.

Reactive Load Settings

The toggle switches on the front panel can alter the volume, so make sure they are all the same on both units.

Feel free to add some more information.

Maybe you should consider a service?

Regards,

Dan

3

Thanks Dan. So the volume jump is very intermittent and only for a few seconds then it falls back. I did the changes you recommended with resistance matching which I was already doing but checking nonetheless.
If I don’t use the PS100 it’s all normal.
:face_with_diagonal_mouth:. Idk.
Andy

4

Hi,

Could this be a tube issue? I’m thinking you might need a service, but you might want to change the tubes to see if that solves it, it’s always good to have spares anyway.

Regards

Dan

5

Yes. I tried tube change. To no avail. Should I send to Fryette. Or local in Nashville ?

6

Hi Andy,

I think for an intermittent issue like this it is best to send it to Fryette directly. Fryette will work with reputable repair shops too, but I think they tend to prefer amplifier rather than tools like the Power Station.

See here, How can I request Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) for a product repair or return?

Regards,

Dan