Just got my PS100 and love it, was so excited that it was actually more than what I’d hoped for my purposes.
I’m getting intermittent pops that make one flinch on a deep level though they’re not too loud yet. From my research it seems people are asked to replace the power tubes. I’ve had this less than a week and it started the day after I plugged in. If replacing the power tubes would be trouble shoot #1 I get it, but may I ask for a set?
I’d also mention that the jacks on the back that I’m using seem loose. I can’t say I’ve noticed that on any amp I’ve owned before. Is this ok?
I’m not totally against DIY, but I’m no amp engineer or even a technician (yet). I appreciate any help I can get. If you need me to provide anything it will get done promptly. Thanks!!
Your PS-100 is a very recent production and not in the affected batch. Keep running it; put some hours on the tubes. We do notice crackling sounds initially but they usually go away. If this does not go away or gets worse we can take it from there.
That sounds fine, Dan. I appreciate the response and assurance.
I will say that I decided to be a man and open it up while awaiting response, and I did find that the tubes were very askew and one was considerably working its way out of the socket. I inspected those and the sockets, they were looking good, and reseated them. I did continue to get a few pops afterward, which was a little discouraging, but it does seem to have settled and become solid thus far.
I was just a tad hesitant to crack this brand new device open myself so soon after having unpackaged it, but it’s reasonable that these things may happen on its way to me.
I truly enjoy this thing so much that I was asking myself if I wanted to have to let it go for repairs or something even with its popping!
That’s no worries. Keep some hours on the tubes (let them warm up before flipping on Operate switch) and if you are in the same position in a day or two, then we should address this more seriously. We don’t want you to be disappointed with the product.
So things have been steady on the popping (in a good way) - but - yesterday I was running my Axe FX 3 into the return as I mainly do, and suddenly no sound.
I ended up trying to go back to Line In, which still works fine, and after a time I plugged back into the FX Return… I had sound for a minute or two before it went back out. It seems like the jack-hole (is that a word? I like it anyway) is not super reliable, and doesn’t really respond to being gently wiggled. It still sounded like the speaker was hot, but getting no input/output while running into the return.
Amp-in is also fine.
I’ve been overall extremely gentle and keep it in my studio with my Axe Fx and big heavy AC30.
Welcome back! I cannot believe we had this chat two months ago. It seems like last week. Anyway…
OK so crackling has gone. Good.
So it seems either the FX Return (jack socket ) is causing you problems. But otherwise things are OK. Have you been through the usual debugging steps of using different cables?
Try this:
Get a known good cable and jumper from Power Station FX Send directly to the FX Return. Wiggle the cable around? Do you get an intermittent connection? If so, then yes, the Power Station jack seems to have an issue. But you must know % that the cable is good.
So I jumpered the send and return on the PS100 and tried running my AC30 into the amp-in and I get no sound. If I am right that’s a good thing?
The funny thing is that this all this began with a known good cable as far as I’m concerned
I tried fresh today Axe FX → PS100 FX Return and got beautiful sound, but then after about 5 minutes it suddenly cut out again! I can take that same cable and pop it into the Line In and everything’s peachy. It’s like something suddenly happens and the FX Return is like NO. Not gonna do any more!
I guess to be thorough I will see what things are doing when jumped together with the AC30 now..
Yes I am able to get sound with the Send & Return jumpered. I did it whilst I knew it was deciding to protest against my standard use of the power amp. It’s just that it’s intermittent for reasons I don’t know, so basically keep that in mind if anyone ends up looking things over
I received my RMA. I wasn’t super expecting to have to pay for shipping to have this thing looked at. I’m in dire circumstances to say the least and would really rather not.. I’m not giving anybody a hard time over it, but is there any possibility of you guys instructing me on attempting any more basic things even if it means popping the hood? I don’t know that there’s any amp repair techs in my area here in Nowhereland, PA. Guitar Center told me they don’t even have a tech on hand.
I’m willing to give it a go and I appreciate and respect the lethality within these enclosures. I just want my FX loop to work again.
I’d rather this issue had shown itself to me while I was still in my return window and I would have sooner bought a whole other unit. I guess it’s silly, but I just moved and things are tight, and this thing’s got some heft. I don’t want to think of what that will cost.
That sucks, if you find a reputable (I.e. it’s not
your mate that “knows” tubes amps, it’s a real business/service) repair shop near you that you can drop off we will support the tech.
The problem with users debugging this is that it creates too much work and frustration of us and also you. What will happen is that it will take too long and you will end up dropping it off at a tech near you anyway.
Just so I’m clear, are they letting me “return” this thing, or are they going to repair and send it back? If they’re letting me return it and get the money for it to buy another I guess I’d do that?
) is causing you problems. But otherwise things are OK. Have you been through the usual debugging steps of using different cables?
% that the cable is good.