Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

NAD (New Amp Disappointment)

Edenburgh

By Edenburgh,
in Amps and Cabs

 Share

Recommended Posts

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
Posted

Today felt like that moment in Star Wars when they try unsuccessfully to put the Millennium Falcon into hyperdrive.....

 

Have a listen to the video then read on.

 

Got this beauty home yesterday and just about to A/B test between my rehearsal and gig cabinets when it did this at power up.

1. - it didn't do it in the shop (used my own super compact cab to audition the amp)

2. - the noise is even worse when plugged directly into sockets around my house -  gets louder and cracklier. (the noise you hear was when plugged in via a surge protector which made things marginally better).

3. - Plugged in my Trace Elf practice amp (via same plug sockets) and it was completely silent.

Been back on the phone to GG who have been great and told me to bring it back for them to investigate and they have also put a hold on selling the amp I traded in (in fact they are going to give me back my old amp while they get this looked into).

 

Any thoughts?   Are these amps known to be noisy or sensitive to power sources?   Is it the fans?   

I really want this one to work because it sounds amazeballs otherwise.

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 16:40, BassmanPaul said:

Unplug the input cable and try again. If it still does it it's the amp. If not it's the cable or what is attached to that cable.

 

Expand  

Tried different kettle leads, different instrument cables and different basses.   Noise persists.

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 17:43, Bassybert said:

It’s not helping solve anything but that looks one hell of a rig, hope you get it sorted ASAP!

Expand  

Thanks! 

For avoidance of doubt I only ever use one of these cabs at a time!!! (big twin for big gigs, super compact for rehearsals and small gigs).   They were stacked simply for convenience so I could A/B the amp between them.   

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for feedback folks - will point GG at this thread so assist with diagnosis and will report back in due course.   (although I think GG send amps out to a 3rd party for fixing so might be a while).

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 17:57, BassmanPaul said:

I would simply return the amp and get another unit.  You could try contacting Ashdown. I hear they are very responsive to problems with any of their products.

 

Expand  

Not quite as simple as getting a replacement unit as this is second hand and no longer in production.    Will see what the shop do and also consider Ashdown as a possible course thereafter.    As I said previously I want this one to work because the sound is just perfect with a P Bass through the Barefaced cabs.

BassmanPaul Mentor

BassmanPaul

Posted
Posted (edited)

Then do as @Woodinblack suggests and try changing out the tube. It's likely an ECC83/12AX7 an inexpensive tube available widely. I'll bet your local music store has a few in stock. :)

Edited by BassmanPaul
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 18:55, wateroftyne said:

Do you have powerline internet in the house? If so, switch that off and see what happens.

Expand  

Interesting theory!   Yep running a couple of data powerlines in the house.    Unplugged them - still the same.    Now with the additional domestic noise of complaints about the internet being down!

  • Haha 1
wateroftyne Grand Master

wateroftyne

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:13, Edenburgh said:

Interesting theory!   Yep running a couple of data powerlines in the house.    Unplugged them - still the same.    Now with the additional domestic noise of complaints about the internet being down!

Expand  

Ah, worth a shot. The video sounds exactly like when I fire up a non-Class D head in my house, and turn it to gig volume while the powerline extenders are plugged in.

Edited by wateroftyne
Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:20, wateroftyne said:

Ah, worth a shot. The video sounds exactly like when I fire up a non-Class D head in my house, and turn it to gig volume while the powerline extenders are plugged in.

Expand  

I've just been revisiting the powerline thing again - it definately gets worse with them switched on - like interference sounds - but there's still too much noise with them all powered off.     

wateroftyne Grand Master

wateroftyne

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:25, Edenburgh said:

I've just been revisiting the powerline thing again - it definately gets worse with them switched on - like interference sounds - but there's still too much noise with them all powered off.     

Expand  

 

Might just be general interference. Are you near a router, or monitor? Presumably you have a bass in that clip - what happens if you walk away from the head? Face away from it, like you would at the gig? Or rotate on the spot?

 

Not saying it's relevant in this case, but one thing Class D heads has done is made people forget how noisy environments can be. Class D heads - for all their sins (IMO) - don't really suffer from it.

 

I always cringe when I crank my stuff up to gig volume in the house, with loads of stuff in close proximity, but it's never a problem at the actual gig.

Edited by wateroftyne
Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:30, wateroftyne said:

 

Might just be general interference. Are you near a router, or monitor? Presumably you have a bass in that clip - what happens if you walk away from the head? Face away from it, like you would at the gig? Or rotate on the spot?

 

Not saying it's relevant in this case, but one thing Class D heads has done is made people forget how noisy environments can be. Class D heads - for all their sins (IMO) - don't really suffer from it.

 

I always cringe when I crank my stuff up to gig volume in the house, with loads of stuff in close proximity, but it's never a problem at the actual gig.

Expand  

I'm starting to think this might be a big part of it.   Routers, WiFi, cellular data devices, tellies all going.     Will try it back in GG and see if it's as quiet as when I bought it.    If so then it has to be environmental.

 

Woodinblack Grand Master

Woodinblack

Posted
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:37, Edenburgh said:

I'm starting to think this might be a big part of it.   Routers, WiFi, cellular data devices, tellies all going.     Will try it back in GG and see if it's as quiet as when I bought it.    If so then it has to be environmental.

Expand  

 

You tried it without a lead in it didn't you? in which case you won't  get any of that interference and the fact is turning the input down did nothing, but turning the volume down did something - the noise is in the preamp - external noise would affect everything equally, and RF would only be an issue with a bass plugged in (especially a passive bass). I am sure GG will fix it, they can just swap the valve with one they have lying around.

  • Like 1
Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 19:57, Woodinblack said:

 

You tried it without a lead in it didn't you? in which case you won't  get any of that interference and the fact is turning the input down did nothing, but turning the volume down did something - the noise is in the preamp - external noise would affect everything equally, and RF would only be an issue with a bass plugged in (especially a passive bass). I am sure GG will fix it, they can just swap the valve with one they have lying around.

Expand  

Correct, no lead connected.

Edenburgh Proficient

Edenburgh

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  On 13/08/2023 at 20:35, MichaelDean said:

I had a similar issue with a very new ABM 600. The valve drive just had loads of extra noise and swapping the valve did nothing. I sent it off to Ashdown and it came back all happy again and has been fine since. 

 

I did a video too:

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/448210-abm-600-valve-noise/?do=findComment&comment=4427667

Expand  

Did Ashdown say what they did to fix it?   Mine is well out of manufacturer warranty.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...