Modding (or fixing) the Reeves Custom 225

Why not call Reeves and discuss the issues with them. They know the amp inside and out so would be in a better position to advise you than we ordinary souls.

Edit: to add that this amp runs on a high B+ voltage that is lethal. Unless you have extensive technical expertise I suggest leaving the mp alone.

 

I would not discount the possiblity the tech lied to get you to use a DI box. It has happened to me. Test it out at home before ''fixing'' it.

 

Anywhere between 10dB and 15dB is common. If you don't need that much pad, don't use it. That's the easiest fix.

Always verify that there is a fault before assuming that there is one. Hearsay is often wrong.

 

Why do you need to use the pad? If the signal is not distorting, it's not necessary.

On the DI/line out, I believe the level is variable by the chicken head knob on the back of your amp. Pretty sure I saw a post early on that Reeves had changed this circuit a bit from when they first introduced the amp(s). I don't believe the earliest amps and variable DI control on the back, but I am not 100% certain on this point.

In my experience Reeves is attentive and provides good service. I suggest giving them a call.

 

Yes I confirmed this. Here's that back of the first Reeves 400 and it does not have the control for he DI.


I just check my 400 and it has a control just like your 225.

As far as how to check it. Do you have a mixing board? If yes, plug the DI into your mixing board and start fiddling with the controls.

 

What does 'not usable' mean, specifically? No signal at all? Signal present, but too low? Signal present, but hum/buzz/noise? Signal present, but distorted? Or did he just not like the sound of it? More data is needed.

And yes, just plugging it in to a mixer of some sort and listening to the input via headphones or speakers is the way to check it out. Don't take it to a tech until you've at least done that. IMO, the chances are better than even that it's just an interface problem.

 

Technically, it could be, but not easily, and not without a constant signal source. Likewise, it wouldn't be a hot enough signal to drive a set of headphones, even presuming that you got the interface right, which isn't exactly as easy as plugging an XLR and a TRS headphone connector together. Get thee to a mixer input...you might even have to put the amp in a different room to hear the mixer output very well. I presume you know not to run your amp without a speaker load...ever.

 

Beware that when using adapters like that, it's possible (depending on how the adapter is wired, and the type of drive signal) for there to be no signal present. It's not necessarily the DI out but an incorrect application.

Some of these outputs are impedance balanced, in which case there may not be any signal on either pin 2 or pin 3 (depending on how it's wired) and if the adapter or the receiving unit chooses the wrong line it simply will not work.

It needs to be tested using a standard XLR cable into a standard balanced mic level input.

 

The company describes the output as "Transformer balanced XLR line out." If I understand, this means the XLR to 1/4" adapter should work. Not necessarily with the Cafe Walter headphone amp though as I don't know how the inputs are wired.

Also there is no mention of signal level.

 

It will not work if either pin 2 or 3 float. This is different than actively driven DI's

 

Transformer DIs need to see a balanced input. The actual DI signal is developed across pins two and three. Feeding into a balanced input takes this into account.

 

As long as transformer is properly terminated, it does not need to drive a balanced input.

I use transformers to drive unbalanced inputs all the time, specifically to re-derive a ground for isolation purposes.

 

Would you do that from stage amp to mixer? I am thinking it would get noisy.

 

I use this to interface computers and Tablet devices to aux inputs.