330x Factory Second XLR Issue

[lpa53]

In response to a query abut my old and failing SA200, the good folks at Fishman offered to send my a factory second 330x for the cost of my shipping them the 220 plus a small service fee. I got the 330x and could vind a thing wrong with it for quite some time.

However, when playing around with some new cables, I discovered that while the 1'4" connection in the combo input of Channel 2 was fine, the XLR input did not work. The reason I'd not noticed this before was that I connect the mic to that channel with an inline preamp that outputs via a 1/4" connector.

Would this be a fairly easy thing to fix? When I open up the case, what shoud look for? Where could I purchase a replacement combo input?

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by lpa53

In response to a query abut my old and failing SA200, the good folks at Fishman offered to send my a factory second 330x for the cost of my shipping them the 220 plus a small service fee. I got the 330x and could vind a thing wrong with it for quite some time.

However, when playing around with some new cables, I discovered that while the 1'4" connection in the combo input of Channel 2 was fine, the XLR input did not work. The reason I'd not noticed this before was that I connect the mic to that channel with an inline preamp that outputs via a 1/4" connector.

Would this be a fairly easy thing to fix? When I open up the case, what shoud look for? Where could I purchase a replacement combo input?

Make sure you are using a known good XLR cable and also that it's connected to a mic that is known to be functional.
If you're sure it's a combo connector problem then you should contact Fishman. At the very least they can guide you toward where a proper replacement is available. They might even offer to help, or provide a combo connector.

[MarkF_48]

Based on the user manual block diagram......
In the combo jack there is a contact (a switch of sorts) that when a 1/4" plug is inserted the mic preamp of the XLR is disconnected so it isn't paralleled to the 1/4" input. It's possible this contact may have some crud/dirt on it that might prevent the mic preamp output from connecting through to the input buffer. You could try a short squirt of contact cleaner (DeOxit recommended) into the combo jack and work a 1/4" plug in and out a few times with hopes that if the contact is dirty that it cleans up. It is also possible this contact has simply failed altogether and the combo jack may need replacing. The type/design of a replacement combo jack will depend on if it solders directly to a circuit board or if there is a wiring cable/harness that makes the connection to a circuit board. I'm guessing soldered to the circuit board which may entail removing the control knobs to remove the circuit board from the control panel.

The other more serious possibility is the previous owner plugged something into the XLR that the XLR wasn't intended for and possibly fried the mic preamp. This would likely not be user fixable as it may entail replacing an OpAmp or similar component. Hopefully this isn't the problem.

Do as Rudy suggested first to be sure it's not a cable or other source issue.

[lpa53]

REMOVED and reposted below.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Make sure you are using a known good XLR cable and also that it's connected to a mic that is known to be functional.
If you're sure it's a combo connector problem then you should contact Fishman. At the very least they can guide you toward where a proper replacement is available. They might even offer to help, or provide a combo connector.

It's neither the cable nor the mic since both work on channel one. I've contacted Fishman about this and will see what they have to say.

[RogerPease]

At this point contacting Fishman is the right thing to do.
They may offer other things to try to fix it.
It may take as long as a week for them to respond, but they will so set your expectations.

That combo connector is soldered directly into the whole preamp assembly board.
Replacing it would be a skilled (but not impossible) job if you could even find the right part.

Hopefully, Fishman will offer to replace the preamp board for their usual $50.
Swapping those is easy and they will give instructions.
I went through a similar thing with my 330x, but my bad channel was just noisy, not dead.
I bought my PA used so who knows what was done to it.
The sub woofer driver was blown, too. :-P Works great now.

Good luck. Let us know how it finally turns out.
Cheers, _RP

[Crowder]

Spraying contact cleaner in the jack may be an easy solution.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by RogerPease

At this point contacting Fishman is the right thing to do.
They may offer other things to try to fix it.
It may take as long as a week for them to respond, but they will so set your expectations.

That combo connector is soldered directly into the whole preamp assembly board.
Replacing it would be a skilled (but not impossible) job if you could even find the right part.

Hopefully, Fishman will offer to replace the preamp board for their usual $50.
Swapping those is easy and they will give instructions.
I went through a similar thing with my 330x, but my bad channel was just noisy, not dead.
I bought my PA used so who knows what was done to it.
The sub woofer driver was blown, too. :-P Works great now.

Good luck. Let us know how it finally turns out.
Cheers, _RP

I contacted Fishman and they said that most likely the combo jack is defective. They gave me instructions for removing the board and said it could be fixed for the $50 charge. Since I can still use the amp by employing the XLR-to-!/4" inline preamp for my mic, also have the Expander, and have some upcoming gigs that need more coverage than my Everse 8 provides, I think I'll wait a bit to send it in for service.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by Crowder

Spraying contact cleaner in the jack may be an easy solution.

Contact cleaner did work when my old SA220 had issues, but unfortunately it didn't solve the 330x's issue. I'll probably send it in to Fishman to be repaired.

[RogerPease]

If they sent you an RMA # it may expire if you don’t send the preamp board in pretty soon but you can ask for a new one later. (You probably know that, but just saying.)

Sounds like you have a plan, which is good. Cheers, _RP

[wweiss]

Fishman are pretty good. At this point I would request they cover the shipping.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by wweiss

Fishman are pretty good. At this point I would request they cover the shipping.

I only have to send the board so shipping so shipping shouldn't amount to much. In addition, I'd feel a bit awkward making such a request since Fishman was nice enough to charge so little to replace my first-year-of-issue 220.

[lpa53]

Originally Posted by RogerPease

If they sent you an RMA # it may expire if you don’t send the preamp board in pretty soon but you can ask for a new one later. (You probably know that, but just saying.)

Sounds like you have a plan, which is good. Cheers, _RP

They told me to request an RMA when I'm ready.