NAD: Marshall DSL100HR

[metropolis_4]

Bummer… I wonder if Marshall is going through a thing with trying to find a reliable new manufacturer for transformers?

 

[mbenigni]

The biggest problem with the 40C is the speaker. Plugged into an external, closed-back cabinet makes all the difference. My DSL40C no longer has a speaker installed. I’m eventually going to build a head case for it.

I’m planning on hitting Atomic Music in DC (or thereabouts?) in a couple of days. Hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to hear a 100H for myself.

@SillyOctopuss - I guess this makes me a liar. Driving distance in this case just happens to be about 6 hours LOL.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I’m planning on hitting Atomic Music in DC (or thereabouts?) in a couple of days. Hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to hear a 100H for myself.

Or a Mark III

 

[mbenigni]

Bummer… I wonder if Marshall is going through a thing with trying to find a reliable new manufacturer for transformers?

Either that or their QC sucks with regard to that point of assembly. But bolting the PT down properly is a whole lot cheaper than using a better one, so I’m guessing (after two consecutive misses) it’s the PT itself.

 

[mbenigni]

Or a Mark III

“Dumber things have happened.”

“Nice but where are your MkIIc+’s?”

 

[HomespunEffects]

I’m planning on hitting Atomic Music in DC (or thereabouts?) in a couple of days. Hopefully I’ll have an opportunity to hear a 100H for myself.

@SillyOctopuss - I guess this makes me a liar. Driving distance in this case just happens to be about 6 hours LOL.

6 hours? I won’t even drive 56 minutes to check out a 74 Super Lead.

 

[Byrdman]

Bummer… I wonder if Marshall is going through a thing with trying to find a reliable new manufacturer for transformers?

Marshall is building their own transformers in Vietnam in their own manufacturing facility. They are supposed to be as close to vintage ones you can get with the materials available these days without being too cost prohibitive.

I would take the amp out of the head and see if there are any loose grounds or loose screws supporting the transformers that could have happened during the "FedEx Incident" Also pull the tubes, reinstall, maybe clean the tube sockets, tap them with a pencil to see if you have a tube going bad and finally check the Bias on it. That could be a cause too. I believe you can pull the preamp tubes out individually with the amp on to see if the noise stops. I'm not sure, but you may be able to pull the power tubes out 2 at a time, maybe outside and inside. There are YT videos out there on it and maybe someone here has more experience doing this and can make a suggestion.

I know that should not need to be done on a new amp, but that amp came from Vietnam and more than likely sat in a container on a ship for a while.

Did you get the 6 button FS? I wish my DSL had the ability to use that, mine is only 2 buttons to change the Green/Red channels and turn reverb on/off.

Also, there is a video from @Burger on the Vietnam transformers on Headfirst Amplification YT Channel

 

[mbenigni]

6 hours? I won’t even drive 56 minutes to check out a 74 Super Lead.

This isn’t the actual reason I’m driving down there LOL. (And for the record, I wish I weren’t…)

 

[Byrdman]

This isn’t the actual reason I’m driving down there LOL. (And for the record, I wish I weren’t…)

Take your amp with you, they may bench test it for you and tell you exactly whether they recommend sending it back or take it because "it is what it is"

 

[mbenigni]

Take your amp with you, they may bench test it for you and tell you exactly whether they recommend sending it back or take it because "it is what it is"

Alas, the womenfolk have already packed the car to capacity. :/

 

[JiveTurkey]

Insert Aunt Edna on the roof gif here

 

[metropolis_4]

Marshall is building their own transformers in Vietnam in their own manufacturing facility. They are supposed to be as close to vintage ones you can get with the materials available these days without being too cost prohibitive.

I would take the amp out of the head and see if there are any loose grounds or loose screws supporting the transformers that could have happened during the "FedEx Incident" Also pull the tubes, reinstall, maybe clean the tube sockets, tap them with a pencil to see if you have a tube going bad and finally check the Bias on it. That could be a cause too. I believe you can pull the preamp tubes out individually with the amp on to see if the noise stops. I'm not sure, but you may be able to pull the power tubes out 2 at a time, maybe outside and inside. There are YT videos out there on it and maybe someone here has more experience doing this and can make a suggestion.

I know that should not need to be done on a new amp, but that amp came from Vietnam and more than likely sat in a container on a ship for a while.

Did you get the 6 button FS? I wish my DSL had the ability to use that, mine is only 2 buttons to change the Green/Red channels and turn reverb on/off.

Also, there is a video from @Burger on the Vietnam transformers on Headfirst Amplification YT Channel

Well that’s encouraging, thanks for the info on the transformers!

 

[laxu]

The jury is still out, which is annoying in and of itself. I really want this sewn up and put to bed. (Am I mixing metaphors?)

This one is cosmetically perfect (yay) despite FedEx having trashed the box a bit, and it doesn’t have that high pitched whine (YAY). Unfortunately it has a lower pitch buzz, also emanating directly from the head, not the speaker. 90% certain this is another janky transformer. Marshall clearly used a lower cost part here to hit the target price.

Buzzing transformers are not totally uncommon. If you are willing to take it apart more, you could put some plastic spacers under the feet of the transformers and that can quiet it down.

But first I'd try to tighten the screws on the transformers, and everywhere else for that matter. It pressing the top of the transformer changes the hum, then the likely cause is mechanical buzzing.

At this point I don’t know whether to send it back and look behind door number three, or whether to accept it as is, or whether to get my money and start looking at other amps.

I don’t have much experience with Marshalls and I don’t know whether I’m just being too fussy here. Worse, I don’t know whether to attribute this to the design, sloppy tolerances (ie this particular amp), or FedEx rough treatment yesterday (which adds an extra element of suck.)

Im trying to research other people with the same problem but people are REALLY bad about distinguishing between noise from speaker and electro-mechanical noise emanating directly from the head. Conversations meander between the two mid-thread and nobody calls anybody on the confusion. I’m kind of lost here.

Heading out of town and this is just going to be hanging over my head. Again, annoying. Less of the excitement I had testing the last time; more of a bad taste in my mouth. :/

If you are not happy with the amp, send it back. There's too many great amps out there to settle for something you are not happy to use.

 

[TubeStack]

My Marshall Vintage Modern 2466 transformer made a constant bell-like ringing sound when new, like physically in the room, not out of the speaker. I don’t remember, but I think I fixed it by tightening the bolts. However, it was something that was noticeable in a room at home, but not set up with a band in a live situation at all. I don’t know if these tube beasts are always meant to be examined in silent, small spaces?

Anyway, sorry this has been such a shit show for you, @mbenigni, what a drag!