• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My New Ashdown Superfly...

#63
Cochise said:
With an inherent design fault I would have thought that all amps would behave the same. This seems more hit and miss. Some amps whine, some don't, some do it as soon as they are powered up, some are fine for a period of time before the noise begins. Maybe there's a batch of dodgy components in there somewhere. Don't forget, at least some of Ashdowns' design team were behind Trace Elliott. I only live 45 minutes drive from Ashdown HQ in the UK. If my replacement has issues I'll call them and see if they'll let me take it directly to them for assessment, and see if we can all get this sorted once and for all. I know from previous experience that they are super helpful both pre and post sale. My new amp is due to me on Aug 13th so I'll post back shortly after that and update everyone.

Peace
Click to expand...

That would be super if you could work with Ashdown to sort this out.

If it is a output filter problem, it may not show up with all cabinets, but it should be easy to fix, or customize for a user.

I wouldn't mind trying one, but I'm too lazy to buy it, try it, ship it back, try another, ...
 
#66
Just tried my 'replacement' Superfly, and it, too, has the high frequency whine. Interestingly, this goes away if I turn the master volume all the way up. Of course, at this point the whine is replaced with a loud hiss. :rollno:

So, I'm out.

Tom.
 
#68
Cochise said:
With an inherent design fault I would have thought that all amps would behave the same. This seems more hit and miss. Some amps whine, some don't, some do it as soon as they are powered up, some are fine for a period of time before the noise begins. Maybe there's a batch of dodgy components in there somewhere. Don't forget, at least some of Ashdowns' design team were behind Trace Elliott. I only live 45 minutes drive from Ashdown HQ in the UK. If my replacement has issues I'll call them and see if they'll let me take it directly to them for assessment, and see if we can all get this sorted once and for all. I know from previous experience that they are super helpful both pre and post sale. My new amp is due to me on Aug 13th so I'll post back shortly after that and update everyone.

Peace
Click to expand...
Anxious to hear your results. If you do go to the factory, could you find out what will be available for Superfly heads...250x2, 500x1 or 1000x1 configurations? Thanks.
 
#69
macmrkt said:
Anxious to hear your results. If you do go to the factory, could you find out what will be available for Superfly heads...250x2, 500x1 or 1000x1 configurations? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I just got a schematic for the Superfly, and also the datasheets for the TDA8927 IC amps that drive it. The 250w/4ohm rating is quite conservative, and mine cranks just fine with one channel through an 8 ohm speaker. One channel is OK, the other has a bit of oscillation but it's not audible with the tweeter off. The design is solid, I suspect the defects are manufacturing glitches. I expect to find the source, and fix, for the oscillation, when I can find the time to open the amp and take a look inside. With only slight alterations the two channels could be bridged, I'm surprised they didn't do so to begin with. The pre is excellent, and programming presets with a computer works slick.
 
#70
billfitzmaurice said:
I just got a schematic for the Superfly, and also the datasheets for the TDA8927 IC amps that drive it. The 250w/4ohm rating is quite conservative, and mine cranks just fine with one channel through an 8 ohm speaker. One channel is OK, the other has a bit of oscillation but it's not audible with the tweeter off. The design is solid, I suspect the defects are manufacturing glitches. I expect to find the source, and fix, for the oscillation, when I can find the time to open the amp and take a look inside. With only slight alterations the two channels could be bridged, I'm surprised they didn't do so to begin with. The pre is excellent, and programming presets with a computer works slick.
Click to expand...
Sign me up for the Bill M mod when available!
 
#72
billfitzmaurice said:
I just got a schematic for the Superfly, and also the datasheets for the TDA8927 IC amps that drive it. The 250w/4ohm rating is quite conservative, and mine cranks just fine with one channel through an 8 ohm speaker. One channel is OK, the other has a bit of oscillation but it's not audible with the tweeter off. The design is solid, I suspect the defects are manufacturing glitches. I expect to find the source, and fix, for the oscillation, when I can find the time to open the amp and take a look inside. With only slight alterations the two channels could be bridged, I'm surprised they didn't do so to begin with. The pre is excellent, and programming presets with a computer works slick.
Click to expand...
Damn, so you can bridge it. If you ever do so, please enlighten us, me at least.
 
#73
Got this response back from Ashdown UK in just a few hours about the whine. Bill, is this kinda what you found?

Hi Martin,
It sounds like you may have a small occasional digital breakthrough on one of your power amp stages...The only thing I can suggest is to contact your supplier for a replacement if it's obtrusive..
Regards,
Guy
 
#74
macmrkt said:
Got this response back from Ashdown UK in just a few hours about the whine. Bill, is this kinda what you found?

Hi Martin,
It sounds like you may have a small occasional digital breakthrough on one of your power amp stages...The only thing I can suggest is to contact your supplier for a replacement if it's obtrusive..
Regards,
Guy
Click to expand...
Dude, If you wanna make e-mails up, at least put the names in the right order... You're giving suggestions to Martin from Ashdown about HIS Superfly...
tut tut

Anyways. Superfly owners.. you think a Eden Nemesis 2x12 350w@4ohm cab with a Superfly will give me enough volume for practice and small gigs until I get a second cab?
 
#79
Feast said:
Hey guys, the specs say this is 2x250 watts, 250 per channel. does that mean if I plug in 2 8 ohm cabs, 250 will be going to each?
Click to expand...

incorrect, amigo.
125w will be going to each cab.
you need 2 4ohm cabs to get 250w in both cabs


Sorry Macmrkt, confused me because there's a guy named Martin who send me e-emails from Ashdown
 
#80
Divesh said:
Damn, so you can bridge it. If you ever do so, please enlighten us, me at least.
Click to expand...
In theory it can be done, but you'd need some pretty good chops to do so. In any event it would allow both channels to combine their current ratings, but the voltage output would remain the same, so there'd only be at best a 3dB advantage in doing so. I personally wouldn't, as I know it's not worth the effort. I'm just surprised Ashdown didn't do so just from the marketing standpoint, as the average buyer would sooner get a 1x500 rather than a 2x250.
Anyways. Superfly owners.. you think a Eden Nemesis 2x12 350w@4ohm cab with a Superfly will give me enough volume for practice and small gigs until I get a second cab?
Click to expand...
IME it should be fine. My cab is considerably higher in sensitivity than yours but it's also 8 ohms, and I've got plenty of headroom.

Sorry that wasn't clearer - my name is Martin and the response came from Guy Norel in tech support.
Click to expand...
There also is a Martin at Ashdown who I've been comparing notes with. BTW, programming the pre with a computer is sweet, but the manual sucks, and I told them so. If you're used to working with digital consoles it's totally intuitive, but otherwise you might never figure it out on your own.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back