Comments on Profile Post by Lyander

  1. Lyander
    Lyander
    So much for saving up for other things. This isn't my amp, belongs to a friend, so I'm honour-bound to repair or replace it, haha. Face, meet desk. Repeatedly.

    Clicking audible around 0:11 and 0:36 here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RF631FbWYE1CQW466
    Dec 26, 2019
  2. dematted
    dematted
    That's the nightmare scenario for us audiophiles. Gives me additional audio nervosa just hearing about this sort of thing! May luck protect my equipment (and hopefully yours too, for it seems like you need it).
    Dec 26, 2019
    Jinxy245 and Lyander like this.
  3. Lyander
    Lyander
    Eh, I don't know what it is with me but I have horrible luck with audio gear. Apparently *could* be transformer failure, which I'm sure is going to be a very affordable fix /s

    FML.Reached out to Drop for possible recourse anyway, fingers crossed.
    Dec 26, 2019
    Jinxy245 likes this.
  4. tommytakis
    tommytakis
    you might want to PM @Zampotech about this? He's helped me troubleshoot the ZDT Jr. before
    Dec 26, 2019
    Jinxy245 and Lyander like this.
  5. Lyander
    Lyander
    @tommytakis I did, much as I feel bad bothering him over personal shiz for the nth time. He's the one who suggested possible transformer failure, plus suggested I get a multimeter and test, plus over pics of the PCB for troubleshooting. I'm inclined to find a competent EE near me and ask for help because my history with tinkering has me very nervous.
    Dec 26, 2019
    tommytakis likes this.
  6. tommytakis
    tommytakis
    @Lyander LOL I know how you feel. He's such a nice guy I feel bad sometimes asking him so many questions. I hope things work out for you and the ZDT Jr.! Bummer it's such a good sounding amp.
    Dec 26, 2019
    Lyander likes this.
  7. Lyander
    Lyander
    @tommytakis it is, and to add to that it isn't my amp so I feel bad that a friend's toy crapped out while in my care. Hijo de puta this is cringey.
    Dec 26, 2019
    tommytakis likes this.
  8. Jinxy245
    Jinxy245
    Ah crap... that couldn't be a tube thing? I hope it's not the transformer.Good luck dude.
    Dec 26, 2019
    Lyander likes this.
  9. Lyander
    Lyander
    Front panel LED has me thinking it's not the tubes and the amp could be deader than that Bad Luck Brian meme, which is very much fitting given my current situation it seems.

    Might be crass, but my mood right now can be summed up as "For the love of f**k are you yanking my asshairs right now".
    Dec 26, 2019
  10. elmoe
    elmoe
    Does it still turn on/LED lights up/tubes glow or nothing?
    Dec 26, 2019
  11. elmoe
    elmoe
    Is there a fuse/did you check it on the back where you plug in the power cord?
    Dec 26, 2019
  12. Lyander
    Lyander
    @elmoe Tubes and front LED all dim, currently waiting on values to test for with a multimeter from resident Russian mad genius so i can confirm, but visual inspection (via photos) show no damage to PCB components or internal bits where the power cord plugs in
    Dec 26, 2019
  13. elmoe
    elmoe
    Dimmer than normal is a bad sign
    Dec 26, 2019
  14. Lyander
    Lyander
    @elmoe Sorry, bilingual brainfart again. Not so much dim as completely dead, no light at all. Kinda forgot what dim meant specifically, the panicking isn't helping :))
    Dec 26, 2019
  15. elmoe
    elmoe
    Ah gotcha. Did you check on the fuse in the back, on the power socket?
    Dec 26, 2019
  16. Lyander
    Lyander
    Dec 26, 2019
  17. elmoe
  18. elmoe
    elmoe
    See how under the socket where the cable plugs in, you can pull off the plastic to reveal a fuse? You can take the fuse out and check the filament inside to see if it is burnt/broken
    Dec 26, 2019
    Lyander likes this.
  19. Lyander
    Lyander
    Will check— I'm pretty sure I can manage that much without doing any further harm
    Dec 26, 2019
  20. Lyander
    Lyander
    Dec 26, 2019
  21. Sqveak
    Sqveak
    @Lyander the fuse socket is combined with the IEC (power) socket on the back of the amp. I took some photos of my Night Blues Mini for reference. There is a notch to pry on to remove the fuse holder. Some moderate force may be required. It slides straight out and you will feel it give as the fuse unclips within the socket. The fuse values should be 0.25amps 250volt. https://imgur.com/a/5S8uVto
    Dec 27, 2019
    Lyander likes this.
  22. Lyander
    Lyander
    Ahhh so that's where the fuse was. Fingers crossed that was it. Thanks!
    Dec 27, 2019
  23. Lyander
    Lyander
    Dec 27, 2019
  24. elmoe
    elmoe
    Can you remove the fuse from the plastic fuse holder? Then hold it up and look at the middle glass part. You should see a wire inside. Does it look burnt/broken?
    Dec 27, 2019
  25. elmoe
  26. Lyander
    Lyander
    @elmoe there's an extremely thin strand left connecting them but that's about it. GDI I didn't know where to look for the fuse so this scared me for a second.
    https://i.imgur.com/BysC1ed.jpg
    Dec 27, 2019
  27. elmoe
    elmoe
    Oh yeah that looks like a blown fuse alright. You should be able to read the fuse rating on one of the metal ends (ex: 15A) and go online/to any electronics store to purchase a replacement (they are cheap, unless you want some uber audiophoolery type fuse).
    Dec 27, 2019
    Jinxy245 likes this.
  28. elmoe
    elmoe
    While there may still be an underlying issue with the amp, if you replace the fuse you should be able to get the amp to turn back on at least, and see if it works fine or if the new fuse blows also (get a few fuses, they're a few cents each). With some luck you just had a surge which blew the fuse and replacing it will get the amp back in working order.
    Dec 27, 2019
  29. elmoe