TOTALLY BUMMED OUT - used F1X /new 1602PLX combo don't work

[hollis]

Dave,
 
Did you ever get this worked out?

[davekoch]

Thanks to all of you - bless your hearts!!!
 
Mica was right about the Effects Loop jack - it was actually bad and needed to be replaced. It was barely getting a very, very weak signal. Jeff Krumm at Savage Audio, who designs and builds the Savage tube guitar amps, did the repair. He is a very competent audio guy, I trust him, and a great guy to boot. He did work for The Who when they were last in town. BTW, Jeff mentioned he's very impressed with the F-1X design, sound, and construction. He's worked on them before.
 
So, he verified both the preamp and power amp, so all the gear is up and running. I feel good about it. However, the guy that sold me the F-1X maintains that it worked before he shipped it to me. Hmmmmm.
 
Anyway, it works like a champ now, and I already love it. The sound of this rig is so very, very clean and warm. The response is just great.  
 
I've noticed posts about the Bass/Mid/Treble knobs affecting one another. Is there a guide or some recommendations on how they affect each other, or is it just trial and error? Any other information about using the F-1X that would be helpful?
 
As for the out-of-phase issue, is this a big deal? In Stereo mode and using Full Range and High Pass output jacks, what actually happens? Can it cause damage to the gear? What's the fix - reversing the polarity on a cord, etc.? If I use Parallel mode, it wouldn't be relevant, right (as I'd be just using the Full Range output jack, sending the same signal to both channels of the power amp)? Does Stereo mode sound different than Parallel mode?
 
To all who held my hand through this ordeal, thanks for all your help and concern. I've always heard great things about Alembic Support, and now I'm a believer. But the knowledge and concern on this forum is simply amazing. WOW - you guys are real pros, very smart, and perhaps even more importantly, nice people!  
 
I've wanted this preamp for many, many years. I don't play out as often anymore, as my wife's health is failing. I'm a caregiver now (severe diabetes, kidney transplant, and many, many other issues). But now I'm so excited about this gear.  
 
Thank you!!  
 
Dave

[David Houck]

Dave; I may be absolutely wrong about this but, I'm guessing most of the regulars pretty much read or glance through the posts in all sections of this board (although I admit that I do not keep up with the posts to the Wood Bank section).  Thus, it is probably not necessary, may be somewhat confusing, and may even be counter-productive, to post the same requests and questions in different threads.  But again, I may be completely wrong about this.  For instance, if someone reads this thread before they read the other one, they may spend an hour or so trying to find the information about the Tone Stack Calculator that has already been posted in the other thread.  And that hour or so is of course time that could have been spent washing dishes in the kitchen !

[bassman10096]

But, of course an hour browsing Club discussions is ALWAYS more rewarding than doing dishes...
 
Bill TBO

[davekoch]

Dave,
Point taken - I believe you are correct. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[David Houck]

Bill; your point is well evidenced by the stack of dishes on my kitchen counter .

[cntrabssn]

Dave,  
 
I'm happy to hear that you got your troubles fixed.  
 
The product description pages on this web site are a great source of information about the F-1X circuit:  
 
http://www.alembic.com/prod/f1x.html  
http://www.alembic.com/prod/f2b.html  
 
I included the F2B link because the EQ (tone stack) circuit is common to both units.
 
The phase issue is not harmful electronically. What you are likely to hear is cancellation of some frequencies (I think it's mainly the low frequencies), so the system won't sound as full as expected. I mentioned reversing the speaker cable in a previous post as well as a link to another thread discussing the issue.  
 
About your amp's stereo and parallel-mono modes:  
All parallel mode does is eliminate the need to use a y-cable if you want to run both amp channels from a single source. Other than that, there's no difference between parallel and stereo mode.  
   
Happy tweaking,  
- nate.  
 
 
(Message edited by cntrabssn on November 17, 2004)

[palembic]

Brother Dave,
 
happy that evreything went all right.
ABout the tone controls: Mica once mentioned that a for a flat F1-X : Bass = 0, MId = 10, Treble = 0.
So Bass and Treble are add-ers from zero, Mid is a cut-er from zero.
 
Paul the bad one

[xlrogue6]

Or you could just go with the classic method:  1.Turn knobs until good sound is achieved.
2. Stop turning knobs.