AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Got My Replacement Amp from AV123....
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Got My Replacement Amp from AV123.... - Page 2

post #31 of 230
4/20/09 at 8:43pm
deez, thanks for the post. Did Mark happen to mention when more replacement amps might ship? I'm on the waiting list for one.....also have one of the new rosewoods coming at some point - can't wait to get thumping again!
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #32 of 230
4/20/09 at 9:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by heterology View Post

deez, thanks for the post. Did Mark happen to mention when more replacement amps might ship? I'm on the waiting list for one.....also have one of the new rosewoods coming at some point - can't wait to get thumping again!

Yes, he did mention this to me. I asked if I could share that time frame here and he asked me not to....now, I told him I wouldn't and I will stick to that word.

I can say this...a lot of things I read said 2 -3 months....it will be a lot sooner than that...a lot from what I was told. I hate to be so vague like that but I gave my word. I hope that helps.

Are you waiting for a replacement amp?
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 230
4/21/09 at 6:17am
Deez, can you please turn your sub on and put your ear right up to the grill and tell me if you hear a hum at all? I have cheaters and have disconnected EVERYTHING and I still get hum. I pray these new amps fix the hum (NON-GROUND LOOP!)
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 230
4/21/09 at 6:46am
....and play pulse.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 230
4/21/09 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by random username View Post

anyone with electronics knowledge care to shed light on the "gel"? Is it just for stability (like a glue) or is there another purpose? I have seen glue used quite a bit to strengthen. Also, I have an old Sansui amp that has some whitish stuff around all the caps, including between the cap and the board.


Please correct me if I am wrong, but don't caps have the potential to leak, (almost like a failed D cell flashlight battery). I would guess your Sansui is from the late 60's to early 70's. Does the Sansui still work?
Reply
Reply
post #36 of 230
4/21/09 at 7:04am
deez....good deal. Glad to hear things were rectified.

And, you're right.....the MFWs do indeed perform very well. That fact gets lost in the shuffle, sometimes.
Reply
Reply
post #37 of 230
4/21/09 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by deez View Post

Yes, he did mention this to me. I asked if I could share that time frame here and he asked me not to....now, I told him I wouldn't and I will stick to that word.

I can say this...a lot of things I read said 2 -3 months....it will be a lot sooner than that...a lot from what I was told. I hate to be so vague like that but I gave my word. I hope that helps.

Are you waiting for a replacement amp?

a couple of questions...
1. how is it that you got a "new" replacement amp ahead of many others who have been waiting? (not that i dont want you to have one of course)
2. why is it that MLS is giving YOU information about the amps that he seems not willing to give to anyone else....especially those of us who deserve to know
3. if he actually has a time frame for replacement amps...why keep it quiet? unless he is not sure he can actually meet that deadline.
4. i am 100% sure you got an "old" amp that was either reworked, repaired, or just tested long enough that they felt confident to send it out....is there any way to actually tell if there are different/new parts on the new amp you received???
Reply
Reply
post #38 of 230
4/21/09 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

a couple of questions...
1. how is it that you got a "new" replacement amp ahead of many others who have been waiting? (not that i dont want you to have one of course)
2. why is it that MLS is giving YOU information about the amps that he seems not willing to give to anyone else....especially those of us who deserve to know
3. if he actually has a time frame for replacement amps...why keep it quiet? unless he is not sure he can actually meet that deadline.
4. i am 100% sure you got an "old" amp that was either reworked, repaired, or just tested long enough that they felt confident to send it out....is there any way to actually tell if there are different/new parts on the new amp you received???

Read through the thread again Jinxy, you will find the answer to question 4. Also, careful to keep the thread on the OP topic as this thread may be the only one availble to MFW-15 owners to actually talk facts here on AVS.
Reply
Reply
post #39 of 230
4/21/09 at 9:21am
sadly the pictures don't show up for me here at work. filter i think....so i can't see the differences. i just sure hope that we all get this sorted out soon....
Reply
Reply
post #40 of 230
4/21/09 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

4. i am 100% sure you got an "old" amp that was either reworked, repaired, or just tested long enough that they felt confident to send it out....is there any way to actually tell if there are different/new parts on the new amp you received???

Quote:


Posted by deez - "*UPDATE:

I just spoke with MLS and here is What he told me:

My amp was one of three that are the new revision from his new supplier in China. The output board was the failed part (where the red and black wires plug into from woofer). They also replaced the 4 Capacitors in the picture and went to a different occilating design-whatever that is!! The gel is a insulator that should have been removed but does not hurt the amp.

I hope this answers your questions."

As posted by deez. I and many others waiting for updates received an email on 4/17 that states that today, the 21st he is going to share with us his final decision for the path they are going to take.

Here is the letter in full, I don't think it hurts anyone by posting it since it was supposedly sent to all customers with MFW's.

QUOTE - Dear MFW-15 amplifier folks,

We had promised to get back to you during this week with an update on the planned MFW-15 amplifier replacements.

Our Engineering staff has been busy evaluating and testing under rigorous conditions the solution(s) that were offered. The problem is complex in nature – and frankly, we have two roads that we can travel down to deliver a very robust and completely workable solution.

To this moment we have not chosen the final path we will take. I expect to look at several pieces of information this weekend and then decide. I will share that decision with all of you by NO LATER THAN the 21st of this month.

Our ultimate goal is to deliver the performance – and the promise – and do so in a No Compromise form. In that, you can absolutely know that we will deal with you openly and honestly – sharing ALL of the information you deserve.

Please be patient with us a few more days…

With thanks… END QUOTE.

So, at some point today we should have a final update for the amplifier issue. If posting this was not an ideal thing my apologies to all but I figure by posting it, we all know that we should wait until tonight for the notice to come out explaining what's going on.
Reply
Reply
post #41 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:03am
ya i got that email too..then i got a PM from MLS today saying he "hopes" to have that information out today....we shall see....the day is 1/2 over already.
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by crOwcaine View Post

Deez, can you please turn your sub on and put your ear right up to the grill and tell me if you hear a hum at all? I have cheaters and have disconnected EVERYTHING and I still get hum. I pray these new amps fix the hum (NON-GROUND LOOP!)


I had the hum too...i had to reroute internal wires away from the transformer. I will check right now...

I just went to sub turned it to the on position (It was in auto) and turned gain all the way up. I put my ear right on grill and could hear a hum....light one but discernible. I stepped away and could hear nothing at all in a silent room. I dont know if this is normal but I do know that the first one I could hear a hum in the dining room and that was with the gain in the 12 oclock position. I will take out amp later and make sure I routed wires correctly and try it again. Like I said, the hum is very light and volume had to be turned way up and ear pressed against grill.

I hope that helps.
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

sadly the pictures don't show up for me here at work. filter i think....so i can't see the differences. i just sure hope that we all get this sorted out soon....


There is no difference. They only changed the output board and 4 capacitors you see in pics. I hope that answers your question?
Reply
Reply
post #44 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:44am
"The gel is a insulator that should have been removed but does not hurt the amp."

What up with that?
Reply
Reply
post #45 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:44am
Good to hear that you got your replacement Deez, how does the plate feel on the amp after use? Is it still getting hot? That's one thing I noticed when I received the original amp and the replacement amp, that thing would get a little to hot.... I just hope that those of us waiting for our replacement amps get them sooner than expected....
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by deez View Post

I had the hum too...i had to reroute internal wires away from the transformer. I will check right now...

I just went to sub turned it to the on position (It was in auto) and turned gain all the way up. I put my ear right on grill and could hear a hum....light one but discernible. I stepped away and could hear nothing at all in a silent room. I dont know if this is normal but I do know that the first one I could hear a hum in the dining room and that was with the gain in the 12 oclock position. I will take out amp later and make sure I routed wires correctly and try it again. Like I said, the hum is very light and volume had to be turned way up and ear pressed against grill.

I hope that helps.


I don't think anything would pass that test really...I can hear 60 cycle everywhere..

no hum, no sound with gain/amp at Max Volume?.....nah..
Reply
Reply
post #47 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by graphicguy View Post

deez....good deal. Glad to hear things were rectified.

And, you're right.....the MFWs do indeed perform very well. That fact gets lost in the shuffle, sometimes.


Yes it does get lost, I know it did with me when I had a dead sub and couldn't watch any movies.

Again, just an FYI and I wont repeat this because I think we doing a great job staying on topic-I dont work for AV123, and in now way am I affiliated by family or friends with this company, nor am I recommending thier products or services I am a frustrated customer that spoke his mind and got a result. I just wanted to start this thread so I could share my experience and hopefully soon hear yours.

Again, guys, I am willing to take more pics and even open up sub if you really want me too but basically its the same amp with 2 new parts.

One more thing, I also gave MLS a suggestion for the new revision amps. When I got mine the black/red wire was very long and had no male connectors for the existing female connectors. I also had to remove the control wires plug from circuit board and it was tricky. I offered the following suggestion to simplify customer replacement:

1-Provide male end connectors for black/red wires and shorten them-making these wires plug and play.
2-Provide a 6 inch control wire preinstalled with a female end for direct connection to existing sub control wire-again making installation hassle free and plug and play.
3-Provide Instruction sheet-just a simple word document would do, or get ready for customer service calls!!


This is based on my amp and experience with it and I hope he takes my suggestions and applies them to the replacement amps. It would just be one more way IMO, to make this easier on the customer.
Reply
Reply
post #48 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by busahaya View Post

Good to hear that you got your replacement Deez, how does the plate feel on the amp after use? Is it still getting hot? That's one thing I noticed when I received the original amp and the replacement amp, that thing would get a little to hot.... I just hope that those of us waiting for our replacement amps get them sooner than expected....


You know, I never did check how hot the original amp got....This one is warm......not hot but warm....is this normal?
Reply
Reply
post #49 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by theelviscerator View Post

I don't think anything would pass that test really...I can hear 60 cycle everywhere..

no hum, no sound with gain/amp at Max Volume?.....nah..

So, in essence your saying this is normal for any sub?
Reply
Reply
post #50 of 230
4/21/09 at 11:54am
Deez, thanks for the info. I really hope this thread stays on topic and open. As for the hum, if you don't hear anything a few feet away (as you stated), then that is normal. You will hear some hum with your ear right against just about anything that is plugged in.
Reply
Reply
post #51 of 230
4/21/09 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by deez View Post

You know, I never did check how hot the original amp got....This one is warm......not hot but warm....is this normal?

It is normal for an amp plate to be warm even when just on. With some bass heavy material, it is normal for the amp to get very warm, but not hot. You should still be able to place your hand on the amp plate and be able to keep it there.
Reply
Reply
post #52 of 230
4/21/09 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam-DiVine View Post

Deez, thanks for the info. I really hope this thread stays on topic and open. As for the hum, if you don't hear anything a few feet away (as you stated), then that is normal. You will hear some hum with your ear right against just about anything that is plugged in.

No problem as I appreciate everyone keeping on topic



Well then the sub is behaving normally in that respect. Like I said, my first sub had a very loud hum...loud would be that I could hear it from 30 feet away.
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 230
4/21/09 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gov View Post

It is normal for an amp plate to be warm even when just on. With some bass heavy material, it is normal for the amp to get very warm, but not hot. You should still be able to place your hand on the amp plate and be able to keep it there.


I could touch it last night and it was warm. I was playing a rap album called "The last Kiss" by Jadakiss. Of course, I always listen to and purchase edited music as I have a 13 year old son.
Reply
Reply
post #54 of 230
4/21/09 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by deez View Post

So, in essence your saying this is normal for any sub?

deez....playing mine HARD (something along the lines of WOTW) at or near reference, my amp gets luke warm, at most. Not even close to anything I'd consider hot.

Regarding the "hum", I've never put my ear right up to mine, but I've never had any audible hum outside of what most electronic gear emits.

I know I've owned other subs that emitted a lot more hum (manufacturers always recommended "cheater plugs" for those when I contacted them).
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 230
4/21/09 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by crOwcaine View Post

Deez, can you please turn your sub on and put your ear right up to the grill and tell me if you hear a hum at all? I have cheaters and have disconnected EVERYTHING and I still get hum. I pray these new amps fix the hum (NON-GROUND LOOP!)

Crowcaine,

I've had expensive Bryston 4BSST amps in my home and would get hum with everything disconnected. Some amps are just more sensitive to how your home is wired.

Dave
Reply
Reply
post #56 of 230
4/21/09 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by graphicguy View Post

deez....playing mine HARD (something along the lines of WOTW) at or near reference, my amp gets luke warm, at most. Not even close to anything I'd consider hot.

Regarding the "hum", I've never put my ear right up to mine, but I've never had any audible hum outside of what most electronic gear emits.

I know I've owned other subs that emitted a lot more hum (manufacturers always recommended "cheater plugs" for those when I contacted them).

I played, Transformers, WOTW and QOS and it was warm and thats it....obviously, a little warmer than just in standby.
Reply
Reply
post #57 of 230
4/21/09 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by deez View Post

Yes it does get lost, I know it did with me when I had a dead sub and couldn't watch any movies.

Again, just an FYI and I wont repeat this because I think we doing a great job staying on topic-I dont work for AV123, and in now way am I affiliated by family or friends with this company, nor am I recommending thier products or services I am a frustrated customer that spoke his mind and got a result. I just wanted to start this thread so I could share my experience and hopefully soon hear yours.

Again, guys, I am willing to take more pics and even open up sub if you really want me too but basically its the same amp with 2 new parts.

One more thing, I also gave MLS a suggestion for the new revision amps. When I got mine the black/red wire was very long and had no male connectors for the existing female connectors. I also had to remove the control wires plug from circuit board and it was tricky. I offered the following suggestion to simplify customer replacement:

1-Provide male end connectors for black/red wires and shorten them-making these wires plug and play.
2-Provide a 6 inch control wire preinstalled with a female end for direct connection to existing sub control wire-again making installation hassle free and plug and play.
3-Provide Instruction sheet-just a simple word document would do, or get ready for customer service calls!!


This is based on my amp and experience with it and I hope he takes my suggestions and applies them to the replacement amps. It would just be one more way IMO, to make this easier on the customer.

wait wait wait..are you saying you had to splice on the plugs onto bare wires that came with the replacement amp? this is going way beyond a simple amp swap. what gives?
Reply
Reply
post #58 of 230
4/21/09 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

wait wait wait..are you saying you had to splice on the plugs onto bare wires that came with the replacement amp? this is going way beyond a simple amp swap. what gives?


Yes. What I am saying is there's room for improvement and I am pretty sure your amp will have these improvements. Actually I would hope they would. I had to use wire nuts to connect the black/red wires. The other control wires have a female plug in on the board.
IMO, there is no simple amp swap and the only way to make it easy would to implement the changes I told MLS and in this thread....and these aren't costly ones either.

If someone hears from AV123 about the amp situation please post here, thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 230
4/21/09 at 3:53pm
ya...well april 21st is almost over, and i have yet to hear anything from them...still waiting....

and btw if my buddy got an amp he had to splice wires on i think he'd have a shiitfit and rightfully so. no one should have to do that. it's bad enough we have to change amps at all, but to have to do that kinda swap is not what most newbs are going to want to do
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 230
4/21/09 at 4:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spyboy View Post

Please correct me if I am wrong, but don't caps have the potential to leak, (almost like a failed D cell flashlight battery). I would guess your Sansui is from the late 60's to early 70's. Does the Sansui still work?


I think the Sansui is an AU-717 from the 80s. It works, but has the (evidently common) problem of the protection circuitry not allowing it to turn on for quite a while. Caps can leak, or dry out but this appears to not be the case, from what I have read this goo is from the factory. I would love to have someone tell me exactly what causes the delayed turn-on so I could replace the components. Problem goes away if the amp is warm. It could be tired caps, or the goo could have become conductive? Sorry for the "off topic".
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers › Got My Replacement Amp from AV123....