Concerning CLR Discovery

[jay mitchell]

Dang, I bought 6 in the last year

They'll still be under warranty, then.

- going to check tonight if I have to spend $1,000 to get them to spec

Let us know what you find.

 

[paisleywookiee]

I used to think Tom King was a good dude who was perpetually overwhelmed. But this, along with the continued empty promises, definitely changes that.

 

[OrganicZed]

I used to think Tom King was a good dude who was perpetually overwhelmed. But this, along with the continued empty promises, definitely changes that.

My inclination is give the benefit of the doubt, but it is hard to ignore the pile of evidence that he's untrustworthy.

 

[paisleywookiee]

My inclination is give the benefit of the doubt, but it is hard to ignore the pile of evidence that he's untrustworthy.

Like someone said, that benefit of the doubt ran out ages ago.

 

[BenIfin]

My inclination is give the benefit of the doubt, but it is hard to ignore the pile of evidence that he's untrustworthy.

Like someone said, that benefit of the doubt ran out ages ago.

The "benefit of the doubt" for Atomic ran out "20 benefits of the doubt ago".

 

[paisleywookiee]

I’m just wondering with the CLR out of the running, what are we gonna run our ABX tests on? Ah well. We never needed anything more than a Headrush anyway……

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

I’m just wondering with the CLR out of the running, what are we gonna run our ABX tests on? Ah well. We never needed anything more than a Headrush anyway……

It don’t matter cause the audience can’t tell the difference..​

 

[Eagle]

FR FR is a huge problem, nothing out there that does justice to guitar feel and sound. You can use a high end power monitor but it’s nothing like a real amp. The only one I would buy out of the current crop is the Laney and they aren’t known for reliability either.
I use Xitone ( another crook) passive cabs with Celestion F12X200 and a Matrix GT1000 fx ( guess what another crap service company).
I’ve said it a lot of times but something from Fractal with a control would be the answer. Something that had software support on the device to compensate for the circumstances of its use .

 

[jay mitchell]

FR FR is a huge problem,

For you. For others, no.

nothing out there that does justice to guitar feel and sound.

Nothing you've tried, the way you've used it.

You can use a high end power monitor but it’s nothing like a real amp.

For you.

I’ve said it a lot of times but something from Fractal with a control would be the answer.

According to you. FYI, Cliff has no background in loudspeaker design.

If you only listen to electric guitar through a "real" amp, you won't have heard much electric guitar at all, since you've ruled out recordings and PA-reinforced concerts. That must really suck. Also, if you've ever played on a large stage with wedges, you will have had to hear yourself mostly or entirely via wedges (aka ""FRFR""). That must also really suck.

I created this thread as a PSA for owners of Atomic CLR speakers. It's not relevant to anyone else. Jumping in with OT blanket pronouncements like yours is nothing but trolling. Please take your trolling elsewhere.

 

[yek]

The possible issue with the report and warning in this thread is that it is based on experience with a single device, so it seems.
Not attacking the report/warning, not defending Atomic, but it could be an isolated incident.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

The possible issue with the report and warning in this thread is that it is based on experience with a single device, so it seems.
Not attacking the report/warning, not defending Atomic, but it could be an isolated incident.

It’s one incident. But Atomic’s response was that that one incident was within what they expect to see for a mkII unit.

 

[EOengineer]

The possible issue with the report and warning in this thread is that it is based on experience with a single device, so it seems.
Not attacking the report/warning, not defending Atomic, but it could be an isolated incident.

IMO Jay sufficiently scoped his warning and also gives instructions to verify whether one’s CLR is impacted.

I did not get the impression he was claiming this was broadly an issue - moreso that people should check to confirm.

 

[Zentman]

Yes.

Does one need a schematic to do this PS swap or is it just a matter of eyeballing connections ? Can the PS be repaired without buying a new one?

I have 2 neos from back when they first came out. Both have had the modules replaced twice. I just did the 30 minute test and they only got warm so maybe Tom upgraded the PS.

Ps....for the record Tom has always taken care of me. No nightmare service scenarios here.

 

[jay mitchell]

The possible issue with the report and warning in this thread is that it is based on experience with a single device, so it seems.
Not attacking the report/warning, not defending Atomic, but it could be an isolated incident.

There is very close to zero probability of this being an isolated production "mistake." For one thing - and this is really, really important - the power amp modules are the correct ones for the power supply. If a single incorrect power supply were mistakenly installed in a MKII production batch, it would be accompanied by power amp modules that are not only incorrect, but highly likely fail due to the rail voltages from the PS being above the acceptable maximums for those parts.

Two credible scenarios could account for this:
1) Some number of MKII production units were made with correctly-matched parts from the original version.
2) Some number of modules made for the original version had "MKII" stickers applied to them.

Scenario #2 is by far the more likely one. I just checked, and the format of the serial number on the unit in question is incorrect; it is the format that was used for original, non-neo units. How many times this has happened is an open question, but it's easy enough for MKII owners to check.

 

[jay mitchell]

I have 2 neos from back when they first came out. Both have had the modules replaced twice. I just did the 30 minute test and they only got warm so maybe Tom upgraded the PS.

Depending on the timing of the most recent replacements, MKII modules may have been what Tom provided. What are the serial numbers on them?

Ps....for the record Tom has always taken care of me. No nightmare service scenarios here.

There are a handful of folks who've always gotten support from Tom. There are reasons for that that I'm well aware of but will not disclose publicly. I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

[Zentman]

Depending on the timing of the most recent replacements, MKII modules may have been what Tom provided. What are the serial numbers on them?

There are a handful of folks who've always gotten support from Tom. There are reasons for that that I'm well aware of but will not disclose publicly. I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm assuming the serial is printed somewhere inside and requires removing the module?

As to the timing, one was replaced in May 2023 though the email reads "repaired". The other was late 2016.

Would not the cooler running indicate a newer PS as per your post?

 

[Eagle]

For you. For others, no.

Nothing you've tried, the way you've used it.

For you.

Acxcording to you. FYI, Cliff has no background in loudspeaker design.

If you only listen to electric guitar through a "real" amp, you won't have heard much electric guitar at all, since you've ruled out recordings and PA-reinforced concerts. That must really suck. Also, if you've ever played on a large stage with wedges, you will have had to hear yourself mostly or entirely via wedges (aka """FRFR"""). That must also really suck.

I created this thread as a PSA for owners of Atomic CLR speakers. It's not relevant to anyone else. Jumping in with OT blanket pronouncements like yours is nothing but trolling. Please take your trolling elsewhere.

Sorry but it feels wrong and never like a real amp . I’ve used both on large stages . "FRFR" is a huge compromise.

 

[Eagle]

What I meant is it’s still an opportunity for someone to make a good guitar based "FRFR" option instead of the third rate stuff out there now.

 

[atomicamps]

I'm not available to comment on this at length ATM but I am nearly certain that this is an isolated incident. For sanity, I just pulled 5 new CLRs out of their boxes and the poweramps were all unquestionably the new design. If any CLR MKII owner has has any doubt that they have the the right modules in their amp, please send an email to support and you will get immediate attention. I will be shocked if this turns out to me more than a one off (or at the least VERY limited issue).

We have only had 1 new CLR return in well over 6 months and that was not for anything related to the poweramp.

As someone pointed out, the 1st generation ran hot. This this was deemed acceptable by all the members on the design team. We still have a massive number of original CLRs out out in real world working fine - some doing more than 15 years of service. The new design, which should absolutely be incorporated on all MKIIs, runs cooler and is more efficient.

I'm not sure why but it seems like there is at least one person on this thread who seems quite motivated to make this into something.

 

[jay mitchell]

I'm assuming the serial is printed somewhere inside and requires removing the module?

It's on the rear panel next to the power connector.

Would not the cooler running indicate a newer PS as per your post?

Generally, yes.