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MB800: Hissy or Not
- Thread starter Bass-4-God
- Start date
My apologies for contributing to the slight derail. I happened to click on this thread because the MB 800 and MB Fusion 800 have caught my attention. Carry on, mates.
M. M.
It may make you glad, but as it completely dismisses the concern and problem some have had with their amps, it's not particularly helpful.
If all amps had the same level of noise, there would be no issue. But that's not the case. I don't know what extent this occurs with the MB800, but at least with the MB200, there seems to be a significant variability in the level among units of the same model. Some units have been loud enough to be annoying to the people that got them.
Further, every use of an amp isn't at a gig. Personally, a large part of my reason for getting the MB200 was to set up a semi-permanent practice amp in my sunroom...which is very quiet. I did hear it and found it annoying. Sorry if that bothers you (that's just a turn of phase...I'm not really sorry
).I made a comparison recording, and the the hiss from the second MB200 I got (which seemed slightly quieter than the first) measured -45 db while the RH450 measured -72 db under the same circumstances. Those obviously aren't absolute levels, but in relative terms and as a measure of a hiss, that's the difference between "in-your-face" and "almost imperceptible."
There also the matter of the variability among units of the same model pointing to an unaddressed problem. If they all hisses at the same level, that would be one thing. It would just be "the way that amp is." It may not concern you, but personally, I didn't and don't want to be the one of those who bought an amp that hisses loudly when there are others who say "mine's dead silent."
Helpful to note your cabinet configuration when discussing this issue. Who's playing with tweeters/midrange drivers and who's not?
I'm playing through an AudioKinesis Thunderchild 112AF. Pretty much a magnifying glass for noise problems, with a big ol' radial horn out front, and a secondary neo dome tweeter on the back.
Once again, the half-dozen MB's I've sampled have all been reasonably quiet except for some occasional fan noise.
But that doesn't negate the experiences of people who've had problems with their units.
Well, I got my replacement MB 800 today. QC is much better on this one. It's not missing any screws, no paint chips, and the mute switch light is installed correctly. Good news is the hiss that I experienced with the first amp seems to be a bit less with this one. I could def live with it. Bad news #1 is it has a whistle or a whine in the master knob. Mute on, or mute off. It changes frequencies as I turn the knob. Not very loud but the other one did not do this. Bad news #2 is that after sitting idle with the mute on for about 20 min the fans kicked on, and as I am writing this have not shut off in over 15 minutes. This is in my 70 degree bedroom. It's not looking good.
Oh well, the MB800 is probably not the right amp for you - send it back and buy something else. But, before you do I’d like to see/hear the “whistle or whine” please post quick video slowing the amp, cab, and settings while whistling. Thanks
I only have a crappy cell phone video so I'm sure it won't pick it up. That whistle is pretty quiet, and I'm gonna try it somewhere else just to make sure it's not the wiring at my house. The fan thing is a little more concerning. After my last post I turned the amp off for 10 min or so, then turned it back on, and after 15 min sitting idle, the fans came on and ran for 30 min, until I turned the amp off and had to leave. Strange.
bkbass2000 said:
Who is the vendor?
It seems odd that you would get two junkers in a row, when the rest of us are finding them pretty consistent in quality.
Factory seconds snuck out the back door of the Chinese factory in retaliation for losing the assembly contract, perhaps?
MF. The fan thing has me stumped. It ran for over an hour last night. It never turned itself off, I had to turn the amp off. I've sent an email to GK tech support.
Got my 3rd MB 800 today and I am happy to report no issues! Everything seems to be working properly and no QC issues. I'll put it through its paces this weekend to be sure, but looks like finally I have a keeper. I should note that GK tech support responded within 24 hrs and I received an email from Jason at GK asking me to call him to discuss the fan issue. He was nice and very interested in the problems I was having. I have to say that my CS experience with GK so far has been great.
+1.
wow, 3 really? any pics, cell phone video, etc?
EDIT: Seriously, this is the kind of info TBers want to know - so it’s important a 1 out of 3 MB800 amp claim from MF is supported before we quote your MB800 claim as a fact. So if you can please at least post a picture of your first MB800 or sales receipt and a cell phone video clip of the second MB800 with your cab (with whistling noise?) and a cell phone video of your third MB800 with your cab that would be a big help. Thanks
Here you go Joe, pic of the receipts for the second and third one, cant find the first.Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
And a pic of the new one.....Invalid Link Removed
Sorry, no vids. Didnt think anybody would want to watch/listen to the fans on the last one run for an hour +.
Sorry, no vids. Didnt think anybody would want to watch/listen to the fans on the last one run for an hour +.
Please try again - the receipts and pic attachments aren’t working.
Also Musicians Friend Reps are on TB so may be we can get MF to look up your first receipt.
Dude, you are WAY over the top.
He doesn't have to prove anything. He is sharing his experience and that itself is extremely helpful. Can you just believe the guy without requiring him to support his "claims as fact"? Do you really need a picture of his receipts and a video recording of EACH amp? Do you really expect the guy to go thru all that effort just to satisfy your desires? Really, its a bit much to ask of a total stranger.
Dude, you are WAY over the top.
Really, its a bit much to ask of a total stranger.
It should only take the OP a few seconds to post the receipts, pics, vids, or something and because people are influenced by reports like this I don’t think it’s to much to ask for at all. Of course if the OP doesn’t want to that should be taken into account with the report.
No abnormal hiss in mine, though the fans are noisier than the one in my old 1001RB-II (that thing is dead quiet!)
Well, I don't want to split hairs but it will take more than a few seconds. Assuming he even owns a cell phone that has a camera we would also have to assume he has some sort of account to host it. It takes time to take the pictures and then upload them. Since there is more data involved in video I would wager that it would take even longer to upload video and then again with another one. So yeah, safe to say more than a few seconds IMO. Sorry, I think you are asking too much.
