Amp newbie here - why isn't my SpeakOn cable working?

[Wasnex]

Often the knockoff connectors do not mate properly. The assembly may not have precisely the right shape to begin with, or it may bend out of shape.

Another possibility is the internal connections between the wire and connector have come loose. Some speakON connectors use screws and the wire can pull out entirely or become intermittent. You may be able to disassemble the connector by screwing the back collar off. The collar is blue on the Stagg cable I looked at. Then you can separate the components and inspect the internal connections.

The puff of smoke suggests the amp has been damaged. When the magic smoke escapes the component typically stops working. It's entirely possible for the main output to be dead while the headphone out still works.

 

[ardgedee]

If it works properly with headphones, it sounds like the cable is the culprit.

Some amplifiers use separate amplification sections for speakers and headphones.

 

[Raf Seibert]

I just got my first proper head and cab (Tech 21 VT Bass 500 head, Fender Rumble 1x15 cab) and when I plug the head in, I just get a click/squeak through the cab every few seconds and no amp signal. The cable is just a standard Stagg SpeakOn from Amazon and, based on eyeballing it, seems to have the right pins. What am I doing wrong?

First, if you have a multimeter, you can find out a lot about your cable. I would check continuity (ohms) between pin 1, 2, etcetera from one end to the other. That is, make sure pin 1 at one end contents to pin 1 at the other end, likewise with pin 2, etc. Next I would check whether pin 1 at one end will pass current to pin 2 at that end. Do the same check at the other end of the cable. The resistance through each conductor (1 to 1) ought to be very low (maybe 10 ohms or less). The resistance from one conductor to another (1 to 2) ought to be very high, out of range, infinite). If your cable doesn’t pass these tests, it’s defective.

 

[Thumpin6string]

If there is smoke, there is damage. Smoke means something burnt. Getting sound from the headphone jack doesn't mean the power amp is not toast. IMHO the power amp is probably bad.

 

[devnulljp]

I think you're right, though I don't have any idea how to diagnose the problem. The cab seems to work fine, as the 'click' responds to different horn settings. The head puffed out smoke the first time I turned it on, though it does work fine through headphones.



They were inserted properly, but you're probably right about them being subpar cables.

Headphones usually come from the preamp right? So you've blown up the power amp section.

 

[HolmeBass]

I think that's the culprit, the cable and cab seem to work fine. I'll get it checked out to see what the damage is. It should be noted that when the head smoked, it was not hooked up to a cab - poor choice on my part, but conventional wisdom seems to be that only tube power amps will fry if you do that? It was shipped from Thomann and sat in the UPS warehouse until I strongarmed them into delivering it, so perhaps it was damaged or accumulated dust?

You are correct, an unloaded solid state amp should be fine. Also sitting around in a warehouse in its packaging should not have caused any issues.

It was either defective from Fender, or Thomann repackaged and shipped you an amp they knew was defective. Either way you should be covered by the warranty.

 

[Redbrangus]

I think that's the culprit, the cable and cab seem to work fine.

Does this mean you did get the cab and cable to work with a different amp?

 

[BluesWalker]

Indeed, I don't have any components to swap out. I was hoping to avoid an amp tech visit for a head I got a few days ago (and waited an extra month for - thanks UPS), but things seem to be heading that direction. I've just relocated to the UK, so driving to VA might get a little bit soggy - appreciate the offer though.

So you bought it in VA and then moved with it to the UK? The outlet voltage difference between the US and UK might have blown your amp.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I think you're right, though I don't have any idea how to diagnose the problem. The cab seems to work fine, as the 'click' responds to different horn settings. The head puffed out smoke the first time I turned it on, though it does work fine through headphones.



They were inserted properly, but you're probably right about them being subpar cables.

Smoking electronics is never a normal thing. Neither is the smell of burning electronics. Your amp is fried.

 

[HolmeBass]

So you bought it in VA and then moved with it to the UK? The outlet voltage difference between the US and UK might have blown your amp.

The thread is only 2 pages long, you could just read it.

 

[Ben Clarke]

I would wager there's a short in the cheap cable and it literally smoked the output section of the amp. Headphone output unfortunately doesn't generally go through the output devices. If so, you'll get nowhere barking up Stagg's tree. No warranty I've ever seen covers incidental damage to other products. Unless you can prove that they were malicious or criminally negligent (you can't), you're hosed and chalk it up to lessons learned.

The very best thing you can do with it is stop what you're doing and get it to someone who knows what they're doing.

Speakons are super easy to make if you can operate a wire stripper and a screwdriver. I had some super long ones from when I was doing FOH work. Chopped them up, bought the connectors and made a couple shorties for my bass rig for next to nothing. But you can use any good quality speaker cable - 2 wire is fine if you're not going to be biamping through one connector.

 

[LamarKafka]

Does this mean you did get the cab and cable to work with a different amp?

I don't have another bass amp, but I think those two work because the cab responds to different horn settings.

I would wager there's a short in the cheap cable and it literally smoked the output section of the amp. Headphone output unfortunately doesn't generally go through the output devices. If so, you'll get nowhere barking up Stagg's tree. No warranty I've ever seen covers incidental damage to other products. Unless you can prove that they were malicious or criminally negligent (you can't), you're hosed and chalk it up to lessons learned.

The smoking happened before I got the cable, so I doubt that's the issue (yet).

 

[johnh89]

Probably not what you want to hear but it does appear that you have released the magic smoke from the amp . Get it checked out and buy a decent cable and chalk it down to one of lifes expensive lessons .

 

[tom-g]

…
Thomann repackaged and shipped you an amp they knew was defective.
…

Now, why would they do that? Don’t you think it is more likely, they just sent an unopened new amp from their warehouse. At least that is my experience in how Thomann does business.

Edit: @LamarKafka get in touch with Thomann. Their return policies are really good.

 

[Redbrangus]

I don't have another bass amp, but I think those two work because the cab responds to different horn settings.

You may be right, but I would still schlep the amp to a shop and plug into a speaker and cable that are known to be functioning before sending it back to Thomann. Alternatively, take the speaker and cable in to confirm that they are indeed working -- you need to make friends at an actual retail outlet anyway, right? (Although I must admit I haven't been in an actual music store in years and years my own self. )

 

[Matty Koff]

That thing is a solid state class D amp isn't it? No tubes? Not even a hybrid? It shouldn't have gone up in smoke from just turning it on with no load, unless maybe the volume was cranked and there was an instrument cable plugged in humming it's little heart out or something?

I mean the only thing that makes sense to me is it was plugged in with the voltage switch set to the wrong setting. But you state it's set to 220-240 on the back of the amp head? As that would be a pretty important thing to do before plugging it in the first time, the manual states to use a flat head to slide the switch to the proper selection.

If it's true that it was appropriately set.. and it's a new purchase, I'd return it or try to get warranty service.

*edit* looking closer at the back of the amp.. did it have the right fuse? It specifies T.3.15A for 220-240V
and T6.3A for 100-120V

I could be mistaken but a blown fuse shouldn't emit smoke, so there's still probably damage somewhere and if it currently has a 6.3 Amp fuse that might have caused it? I use a question mark because I'm not an engineer.. my only experience with fuses is a rare replacement in my vehicles or the one winter I wondered why the air coming through my vents wasn't heat. Re-reading to see if I missed this being brought up, it looks like nobody's mentioned this yet.

I would quit powering the thing up if you haven't already personally.

 

[byacey]

I would wager there's a short in the cheap cable and it literally smoked the output section of the amp. Headphone output unfortunately doesn't generally go through the output devices.

The very best thing you can do with it is stop what you're doing and get it to someone who knows what they're doing.

I would suspect this is exctly what happened. If there is a loose wire in one of those connectors, it potentially can still continue to damage whatever amp it is used with.

"The smoking happened before I got the cable, so I doubt that's the issue (yet)."
Sorry, I didn't get to your reply before I posted.

 

[HolmeBass]

Now, why would they do that? Don’t you think it is more likely, they just sent an unopened new amp from their warehouse. At least that is my experience in how Thomann does business.

Edit: @LamarKafka get in touch with Thomann. Their return policies are really good.

Yes it is more likely defective from the manufacturer. But the reason I think Thomann might do that is because they are a big retailer, and in my experience with GC and Sam Ash, and even my local pawn shop, they can and will try to resell defective equipment.

Not as a matter of course, but I have seen it happen a number of times. Sometimes it is nefarious, most of the time I think it’s a mistake and a “left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing” thing.

If you have no personal experience with that, ever, I’d say you are lucky.

 

[tom-g]

Yes it is more likely defective from the manufacturer. But the reason I think Thomann might do that is because they are a big retailer, and in my experience with GC and Sam Ash, and even my local pawn shop, they can and will try to resell defective equipment.

Not as a matter of course, but I have seen it happen a number of times. Sometimes it is nefarious, most of the time I think it’s a mistake and a “left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing” thing.

If you have no personal experience with that, ever, I’d say you are lucky.

Sorry, but this defamation of a reputable company doesn’t have any factual basis at all. You should be more careful in what you post. There are companies that go after you for things like that.

 

[Ben Clarke]

I would suspect this is exctly what happened. If there is a loose wire in one of those connectors, it potentially can still continue to damage whatever amp it is used with.

"The smoking happened before I got the cable, so I doubt that's the issue (yet)."
Sorry, I didn't get to your reply before I posted.

yup - I missed that detail too.

I still wouldn't mess with it. If it's brand new and smoke comes out, I'd send it back. If you take it to someone, they open it up, you might get some push back on the warranty.