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NAD - Ampeg Micro VR & 210AV

Craig T Vector

Craig T Vector

Sep 8, 2013
268
968
Liberty Hill, TX
#1
I ordered the Ampeg Micro VR and the SVT 210AV and just unboxed it. Checked the voltage selector, plugged the provided speaker cables in and the the power. Zeroed the volume and gain and put the levels all at noon. Plugged my passive bass in and flipped on the amp.

Immediately I got hum from the cab and no signal from the bass. Powered down. Checked everything over. Swapped instrument cable. Still hum. Disconnected the speaker and checked the headphones jack: signal and volume through headphones. Sounds good.

Swapped speaker cable for another. Still hum. During this third test the hum abated and then cab went quiet. No signal. Cab appears dead now and is unresponsive.

What can I check myself before I call in and initiate an RMA?

For additional color: I have an SVT 350 and 410HLF right next to this guy and I have no issues with signal or power, etc. The little Micro amp does exhibit some of the "smell" that others have discussed here but from what I surmise this is fairly normal.

Thanks TB!
 
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#4
Craig T Vector said:
I ordered the Ampeg Micro VR and the SVT 210AV and just unboxed it. Checked the voltage selector, plugged the provided speaker cables in and the the power. Zeroed the volume and gain and put the levels all at noon. Plugged my passive bass in and flipped on the amp.

Immediately I got hum from the cab and no signal from the bass. Powered down. Checked everything over. Swapped instrument cable. Still hum. Disconnected the speaker and checked the headphones jack: signal and volume through headphones. Sounds good.

Swapped speaker cable for another. Still hum. During this third test the hum abated and then cab went quiet. No signal. Cab appears dead now and is unresponsive.

What can I check myself before I call in and initiate an RMA?

For additional color: I have an SVT 350 and 410HLF right next to this guy and I have no issues with signal or power, etc. The little Micro amp does exhibit some of the "smell" that others have discussed here but from what I surmise this is fairly normal.

Thanks TB!
Click to expand...

Where did you get the amp/cab from, Guitar Center used equipment site by chance? They have a really really bad practice of reselling obviously faulty equipment. I have ordered many used amps through them only to have them not work. I take it back and clearly tell them the amp does not work only to find the amp emerge on the sales floor again waiting for some poor sucker to go through what I just did. Thank God for the 45 day return policy
 
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#7
Connections on the speakers look fine. Back looks fine. I'm no electrical engineer but nothing looks like it had any trauma or bad soldering. 20200215_111228.jpg
 

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#11
Craig T Vector said:
GC but sold as new.

Yes, tested the amp through the 410 and it performs nicely. Tried the SVT 350 into the 210 and I can hear a very faint signal. I fear the thing is fried.
Click to expand...

Several years ago GC sold me an SVT 7PRO which was supposed to be new. When I got it home, I found rack burn on the bottom. Still, they kept insisting the amp was new. Well it was. At one time.

I called Ampeg, gave them the serial number and asked them when they had delivered the unit to GC. Ampeg said GC got the unit three years ago! Floor demo or returned goods.
 
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#15
alaskaleftybass said:
Always nice to see a couple fans crawl out of the woodwork to trash GC. Thousands of boxed cabinets are sold online and they are assumed to be working. And as usual Ampeg gets the free ride and no mention is made of QC on their part. Sorry for my sarcasm but it's pretty obvious that some people like to bash GC.
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that's pretty much what i was thinking.

GC is a retailer. they don't open every box and check every piece of equipment to be sure it's working well. if they did, people would be annoyed that their equipment wasn't new because the box was open.
 
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#16
GC is guitar Walmart, that's not trashing GC, just reality. I don't go into Wal-Mart expecting poorly paid staff with no benefits and no job security to know much about the products they sell, and I don't expect to see the same staff member twice over a 6 month period. That's about how often I visit my local GC, and I have literally NEVER seen the same salesman twice. I have had ok luck with their used gear, one bad experience that they quickly resolved, but it wouldn't have happened if they had gone to the Herculean effort of actually plugging the amp in to see if it works prior to sale.
 
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#17
alaskaleftybass said:
Always nice to see a couple fans crawl out of the woodwork to trash GC. Thousands of boxed cabinets are sold online and they are assumed to be working. And as usual Ampeg gets the free ride and no mention is made of QC on their part. Sorry for my sarcasm but it's pretty obvious that some people like to bash GC.
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It’s the truth, not bashing. So it’s obvious you’ve never had an issue them, well good for you. Don’t bash the people that have had issues with that company. Ex employee maybe???
 
#19
twinfallsbass said:
It’s the truth, not bashing. So it’s obvious you’ve never had an issue them, well good for you. Don’t bash the people that have had issues with that company. Ex employee maybe???
Click to expand...
I've never had to work retail in my life. I have a right to my opinion as you do. Just don't direct your antagonism towards me sir. Have a good day.
 
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