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GK mb200 ultra light head?
- Thread starter pigdog
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Do you have a pic of the inside of the back panel? I was wondering if there's enough room to add a ground lift switch if I ever need one.
Did you mean SMD as in Surface Mount Device? If so, first of all, SMD has nothing to do with digital vs analog. Second of all, if you're talking serviceability, you're completely wrong. I used to do board repair YEARS ago with SMD chips and it's completely serviceable with the right tools. Thing is, it's probably moot anyway because for the cost of labor to do all that it'd be cheaper for you and them just to swap out a module if something burned up... and really, the same would be true if it wasn't SMD. It's just a labor time thing.
You might wanna' double check your info.
It was cheaper to replace the preamp board in my 700rb when some of the components failed. Labor to replace those parts was more than the $75 plug in board.
Wes
Wes
MX, here's your pic of the back panel. Yes, there's room to add a switch.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Just about anything these days is expensive to repair, where it's to the point of being more expensive to do that, than to buy a new one. I bought a cheap DVD player brand new for $40. A tech charges $50 just to look at it.
Correct! But the "good" news is, the components are usually not that expensive, so comparing repairing Class D amp like this to an older style analog amp, the repair costs would literally be identical.So I guess I got schooled!Sorry about that I always though SMD meant digital. However, like you said, it would still be pretty time consuming to repair it, meaning pretty expensive.
My point is, the fact that this is a Class D amp should have NO bearing on your purchase decision from a serviceability standpoint.
If you simply don't like their tone or something else about the amp, however, of course that's perfectly valid.
Don't fear Class D. It's unnecessary.
craig.p said:
Looks like it would be easy to put a mini toggle switch in there. Is the XLR connector mounted on the board or wired?
Thanks for the picture.
Ah, good question. It's a PC-mount jack, so you'd have to unsolder it from the board and run wires to the switch and to a NON PC-mount jack. But there are some small components that are located very close to the jack's pins. Might not want to risk it. Might be better to build a short ground-lift adapter.
Hold on guys... I'm told the ground is already lifted on this amp's DI out. Or, are you saying you put an adapter on there and notice a difference? If so, I may need to re-ask a question to them.
Thought I'd posted this earlier, but maybe I didn't.
Sorry for the delay. FYI, I just measured infinite resistance between pin 1 and chassis (both ways, i.e. normal test lead swap).
Just found something interesting re. the tone controls. You other MB200 guys, check whether your controls' straight-up positions are truly the pots' center of rotation. On two of my controls, they're not. For example, straight up on the bass control is actually 12:30-1:00 on the pot. Could account for the bit of difference people are hearing between the MB200 and other GK heads. I remember someone here saying his MB200 sounds a bit thicker/heavier than his other GK head(s); this might account for some of it.
I think I'm the one who said it.
Do all of your lines on the EQ knobs look parallel when you turn them all the way down? Mine do, but the knobs just pull off and you can put it back on if you want to realign them.
Wes
Do all of your lines on the EQ knobs look parallel when you turn them all the way down? Mine do, but the knobs just pull off and you can put it back on if you want to realign them.
Wes
Hi Wes. Nope, they don't, and that's why I brought this up. Doesn't really bother me 'cause I can make the mental adjustment and set appropriately. I was just mentioning it as a general FYI to the board. Interesting that your knobs line up but you say the MB200 sounds thicker. I remember comparing mine to my Backline and not hearing any difference, but, eh, we're probably splitting hairs. There are also component tolerances -- I'm sure not everything in those amps is 1%, LOL.
Are there any quality reliable video/sound examples of the general MB200 tone people keep describing here? Aside for the usualy NAMM slap wanking type videos or audio clips.
Just picked one of these up while I wait for my PF500 amp to come in stock. Sold all my amps off before the Ampeg got here, opps! 
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