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Ampeg SVT Micro Stack

#202
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Bought mine used, it is 6 months old (seller gave me the receipt)...Paid 350$
I too have the "gain" issue where when i increase it i get that hissing sound, but besides that I love it!
 
#205
HAVOK said:
...
I too have the "gain" issue where when i increase it i get that hissing sound, but besides that I love it!
Click to expand...

Hello! New guy here, ex-lurker so to speak! Been reading about the Ampeg SVT-Micro Stack for quite some time. Found a good deal, so bought the micro-stack today. No problems with the cabinet, but the amp head has a few.
To begin, there was moisture in the packaging. Just like all the other cases stated here, the head was brand new, it came double boxed, and there was no sign of moisture on/in the box itself. The moisture was in the bag, and therefore on the amp. Fortunately, it was not as drastic as illustrated here, as there was no rust. But both of the desiccant packs where saturated. It was easy to clean that off, so I didn't think much of it any more.
After I set up the stack, and switched on the amp, I noticed that the peek led was lit, but when off after some time. Most annoying problem though is that there's this hissing-cracking sound when I turn the gain. Pressing the -15 dB pad also gives a cracking noise. Once the Amp is running for some time, the noise is significantly less, but it never goes away completely. Granted, the cracking/hissing noise is only hearable when I turn the gain, or push the -15 dB pad, not while playing. Is it because of the moisture perhaps? Wonder if I should return the amp head. What do you guys think? You never know when the issue get's worse, right?

I just checked, it's a rev. A00. But not sure if it matters.
 
#206
Adrenochrome said:
Hello! New guy here, ex-lurker so to speak! Been reading about the Ampeg SVT-Micro Stack for quite some time. Found a good deal, so bought the micro-stack today. No problems with the cabinet, but the amp head has a few.
To begin, there was moisture in the packaging. Just like all the other cases stated here, the head was brand new, it came double boxed, and there was no sign of moisture on/in the box itself. The moisture was in the bag, and therefore on the amp. Fortunately, it was not as drastic as illustrated here, as there was no rust. But both of the desiccant packs where saturated. It was easy to clean that off, so I didn't think much of it any more.
After I set up the stack, and switched on the amp, I noticed that the peek led was lit, but when off after some time. Most annoying problem though is that there's this hissing-cracking sound when I turn the gain. Pressing the -15 dB pad also gives a cracking noise. Once the Amp is running for some time, the noise is significantly less, but it never goes away completely. Granted, the cracking/hissing noise is only hearable when I turn the gain, or push the -15 dB pad, not while playing. Is it because of the moisture perhaps? Wonder if I should return the amp head. What do you guys think? You never know when the issue get's worse, right?

I just checked, it's a rev. A00. But not sure if it matters.
Click to expand...


I had no moisture issues. My head was dry as a bone when I unpacked it and the dessicants were dry as well. I did have the hissing/crackling gain knob issue though. Sent back to Ampeg and they serviced it (cleaned all pots,etc) and now the problem is gone. Quiet as a church mouse.
 
#209
Went to the shop yesterday to get the amp head exchanged. We had to open several boxes to find an amp that didn't have the gain hissing. But there where no more with the moisture problem. All the ones I saw where revision A00 - don't know if that matters, I just mention it. I got a new head, no noticeable hissing on the pods, but still a crackle when engaging the -15dB knob. No further problems, the amp sounds nice, and plays loud - not that the first amp head I had didn't fulfil these criteria. But if pods are hissing, there's something not right?
 
#210
FWIW Hellomusic took the microstack back and gave me a refund. They were easy to work with and I never had trouble communicating with them. Always got a real person without having to go through menus.

Never found out what was causing the moisture. I'd be surprised if I ever do.
 
#211
I live in the Netherlands. Last week I received my Ampeg Micro-VR head with moisture in the plastic bag of the pacakaging. The boxes looked dry and I don't think they have been wet at all. One of the corners of the amp was also rusted, but I could wipe it of.
I thought, maybe it has something to do with the fabrication process. The moisture felt greasy. But after playing it two times for less than half an hour it wasn't responding anymore. The fan halted, and obviously there wasn't any sound.
I took it back to my retailer, swapped it for another one, also new in the box. And...it had some moisture in the plastic packaging too! Less than the first one, so there wasn't any rust. But now I'm really anxious to start playing it. What do you suggest I should do?
 
#212
If the amp is fine, I wouldn't do anything, but if there's an issue, ask for a replacement again. Like I said earlier, when I went back for a replacement, they took the initiative to open boxes until we got one that was fine. Took us three goes if I remember correctly to find one that didn't have the hissing problem. Made in china, the guy said...
Anyway, still happy that I got the Mirco stack. Such an awesome amp!
 

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