Aguilar Tone Hammer / phantom power question

stretchcat · #1 08-16-2010, 09:25 AM

My Tone Hammer seems to only get phantom power when the ground lift switch is in the "out" position. If I push the switch in, then the blue light goes off. Is this the way that it is supposed to work?

Eublet · #2 08-16-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretchcat

My Tone Hammer seems to only get phantom power when the ground lift switch is in the "out" position. If I push the switch in, then the blue light goes off. Is this the way that it is supposed to work?

Yes. That's typical of most DI's unless they employ some other isolation form to lift the ground. Basically, when the ground is lifted it also eliminates the path necessary to run power.

Also, if you aren't using the 1/4" out connected to an amplifier, you have no reason to lift the ground.

stretchcat · #3 08-16-2010, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the info, Eublet!

stretchcat · #4 08-17-2010, 08:39 AM

Update: I had contacted Aguilar about this via email on Sunday night and heard back from them this morning. They are telling me that this is not normal behavior.

Unfortunately, I don't have the receipt since I bought it on TB almost 2 years ago, so I can't get it fixed under warranty.

Eublet · #5 08-17-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretchcat

Update: I had contacted Aguilar about this via email on Sunday night and heard back from them this morning. They are telling me that this is not normal behavior.

Unfortunately, I don't have the receipt since I bought it on TB almost 2 years ago, so I can't get it fixed under warranty.

That could make sense also. Some DI's lift the ground after the power source has been supplied. This design is more complicated and costly, so kudos to Aguilar for using it. Too bad it's broken though. Aguilar will fix it for you with minimal cost though. They stand behind their products.

stretchcat · #6 08-17-2010, 10:43 AM

I've started the ball rolling with getting it repaired. Hopefully it will be a relatively painless experience.

stretchcat · #7 08-27-2010, 04:20 PM

Update again: It turns out that the Tone Hammer was working as designed all along. In my case, I was using my Groove Tubes Brick to power the TH and so there was no way to get a ground loop.

Aguilar made a mistake in having me send it in, but they apologized and are covering the shipping. I'll be glad to have it back because I use it constantly.