EA Micro 300 Durability Question and Hard Case Suggestions

DB66 · #1 07-06-2008, 07:29 PM

I received a Euphonic Audio Micro300 via FEDEX which I purchased online (not through this forum). The amp was quite beat up, there was a 3 pin white colored connector something just under the heat vent in the center that was slightly disconnected and the top was loose in spots and a bad dent on the back corner. I plugged it in and the LEDs lit up for a second and the amp died. All I could hear was a ticking sound near where you plug in the electricity. Needless to say this one is going back to the store from which I bought and I will most likely now purchase a new one rather than risk used.

But this brings up the question. How durable are these amps? I could easily see myself getting it all dented up and even putting it through some abuse in the gig bag along with books, and cables.

I want to ensure that the head has the most protection with the least size. So is there a case out there that fits the EA Micro 300??? Like a photo camera case or a ammo box, something small, but durable. I fear that just putting it in a soft case will only delay the bumps and bruises a bit.

And please tell me if your Micro 300 has held up to gigging abuse or not.

Regards.
Eric.

61pollmann · #2 07-06-2008, 08:41 PM

I don't know anything about the EA amp, but I've been using a pistol case made by Docosil. It's cheap and built like a tank. I've carried Walter Woods, Acoustic Image and Mark Bass LM-II amps in it, and believe that it will protect its cargo under extreme conditions. I believe that Walter Woods himself recommends pistol cases. Any amp can suffer damage, but some are built better than others.

**Adrian Cho** · #3 07-06-2008, 08:43 PM

There is not to my knowledge, any specific case for the Micro 300. At one point when I was going through all the crap with EA with the faulty Micro 300s, they gave me a free messenger bag that fits the Micro 300 and has room for other stuff. I have to say that I did feel like the case of the Micro 300s is not as heavy-duty as the AI amps but I felt it was rugged enough. I think the kind of damage you're talking about would have to be the result of the unit either being dropped on a hard surface or something hard and heavy crushing it and I would hope that neither would occur under normal gigging circumstances.

One Bad Monkey · #4 07-23-2008, 08:53 AM

I ended up getting a Gator Bag for my Micro 300; it's pretty well padded, and has enough room for a power strip, power cord, instrument cable, etc.. in it as well. In the year I've had my Micro, it's held up well and still looks new. The only thing I had to do off the bat was replace the rubber feet, because two of them came off easily and got lost. What you're describing definitely sounds like misuse instead of normal wear and tear.

jsbarber · #5 07-26-2008, 11:36 AM

For cases you might want to check out Pelican. They make hard cases with foam padding in a wide variety of sizes. eg.
http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1200
This increases the size of what you're carrying, but should protect the amp pretty well.

Jim

fdeck · #6 07-26-2008, 04:38 PM

I've got a padded notebook computer bag that someone was throwing out. And I just noticed my daughter's insulated lunch bag sitting there. The Micro300 fits perfectly. Those lunch bags come in all shapes and sizes at a place like Target.

My Micro300 has certainly held up. I got mine second-hand from the TB classifieds. It experiences normal handling, but not extreme abuse.

DB66 · #7 08-15-2008, 02:49 AM

As a courtesy to those who responded to my original post I wanted to update this thread. Returned the other beat up Micro300 amp and bought a new Micro300 from Urbbob. Currently I'm keeping it in a pocket of my gig bag (hernia bag) which also contains books and cables, Dippity Doo, etc. I'm still looking for a decent small bag, but so far no dents.

The amp itself is quite frankly unimpressive. Unimpressive in the sense that I bought it plug it in, use it, and don't think about it. I downgraded (weight wise) from a AI Focus 2R and the only thing I notice is on outdoor gigs the Micro 300 is a wee big not loud enough. I wish I could say more about it other than it works and I'm happy.

I guess I'm getting older and don't care about equipment as much as I used to. Y'all have a great weekend - ya here.

fdeck · #8 08-15-2008, 07:15 PM

WalMart FTW...

DB66 · #9 08-19-2008, 08:03 PM

I got an external harddrive today which came in this Case Logic padded case - model HDC-2. I think this is the perfect case for the EA Micro 300.

Take a look:

amp fits in the smaller section of the main compartment leaving room for more stuff:

In the back compartment I can fit 2 Pocket Changes books and my tuner with cable.

The main compartment again with a Fishman preamp and cables:

In my opinion this is THE case for the Micro300. The price is less than a case of imported beer too. Of course I like the spongebob luchbox idea too which is probably half the price.

Basicbassist · #10 08-27-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DB66

I got an external harddrive today which came in this Case Logic padded case - model HDC-2. I think this is the perfect case for the EA Micro 300.

Take a look:

amp fits in the smaller section of the main compartment leaving room for more stuff:

In the back compartment I can fit 2 Pocket Changes books and my tuner with cable.

The main compartment again with a Fishman preamp and cables:

In my opinion this is THE case for the Micro300. The price is less than a case of imported beer too. Of course I like the spongebob luchbox idea too which is probably half the price.

Thank you so much for the head-up - with photos - on the Caselogik HDC-2 case for storing and transporting the EA iAmp Micro 300. I followed-up on it and couldn't be happier. BTW, for those looking to hear a positive $0.02 on the amp itself, I've been pleasantly surprised by it's overalll function and quality of sound. I got mine after hearing that EA had remedied the noise-humm problem and can verify that, a least in my case, they did. It's a great little powerhouse of an amp that I've used with my UB (Kolstein bass with Planet Wing pick-up) and Yamaha Silent Bass 200. I especially like its capability of accommodating inconsistent electrical current as much of my summer work has been out-of-doors and powered by generators. Last summer, an inefficient power generator caused my GK MB200 to fry itself and on two occasions my AI Clarus shut down repeatedly during performance due to the weak or inconsistent power put out by generators. Thanks again.

lhoward · #11 08-29-2008, 06:20 PM

For the past few years, I've been using an ammo box (AmmoCase1.jpg shows the type of case it is for those interested) that I got at a local gun shop for $5. In the bottom I put a Fishman Platinum Pro bass preamp and power supply on one side and a TechNYC 21 Acoustic DI and power supply on the other. I put a 1" thick piece of foam over them and put the Ea Micro 300 bass amp wrapped in a sheet of micro-fiber cloth (comes in packs of 25 from Sam's Club for about $11) on top of the foam (shown unwrapped in AmmoCase3.jpg) and then put cords and patch cables on top of the micro-fiber cloth. The ammo case also has the added benefit of being water-proof if needed. Its also very robust and protects the contents really well.

Lloyd Howard