The Hx 3.9 fw thread

[Digital Igloo]

Fwiw, this is from the actual manual (3.8):

View attachment 42155

So even the manual mentions that Helix models can't deal with XLR lines once phantom power is present.

Who do you think wrote that manual?

 

[Sascha Franck]

Who do you think wrote that manual?

So what?

 

[Sascha Franck]

I hope I don't bother anyone, but that's a universal precaution.

Which isn't in the manual of any other device I own. Simply because none of those devices is causing issues.

 

[gonzoknife]

I've had phantom power issues with modelers. Even if it didn't kill it, lots of excess noise. I invested in one of these to play it safe. I don't need phantom power so why risk it?

DTI Dual Transformer / Isolator | ART Pro Audio

The DTI Dual Transformer / Isolator uses a pair of high-performance transformers to reduce hum and ground loop noise, separating the input and output signal grounds for total isolation between two systems.

artproaudio.com

 

[Sascha Franck]

I've had phantom power issues with modelers. Even if it didn't kill it, lots of excess noise.

I suspect that most often it's not a phantom power but a ground issue.
The two devices I still use regularly (an old Zoom G3 for small acoustic guitar gigs and a GT-1000 as the "brain" of my main pedalboard) have dedicated ground lifts (the GT even comes with various settings separated for both the 1/4 and XLR outs, which is just excellent). And I've never been running into any issue with them ever. They just don't care whether there's PP or not. Which is what I defenitely expect things to be like. I mean, why would a modeler come with a balanced XLR out and I'd still have to cable up a DI box, PP blocker or whatsoever? Just doesn't make any sense.

 

[gonzoknife]

I suspect that most often it's not a phantom power but a ground issue.
The two devices I still use regularly (an old Zoom G3 for small acoustic guitar gigs and a GT-1000 as the "brain" of my main pedalboard) have dedicated ground lifts (the GT even comes with various settings separated for both the 1/4 and XLR outs, which is just excellent). And I've never been running into any issue with them ever. They just don't care whether there's PP or not. Which is what I defenitely expect things to be like. I mean, why would a modeler come with a balanced XLR out and I'd still have to cable up a DI box, PP blocker or whatsoever? Just doesn't make any sense.

Fair points. I know in one case (rehearsal space) it was absolutely phantom power causing the noise. I know because I turned it off and the noise went away. Electrically at it's root it could be related to a ground but I couldn't test that.

I think it makes sense. It's most likely cost and space. They've probably done market analysis and figured people don't care about it so cut the cost slightly to increase margin and in some cases maybe it was hard to squeeze in physically.

 

[Sascha Franck]

They've probably done market analysis and figured people don't care about it so cut the cost slightly to increase margin and in some cases maybe it was hard to squeeze in physically.

I don't even know what needed to be "squeezed" in. I don't think my lowly Zoom G3 has a dedicated PP blocker "squeezed" in. It just kinda ignores PP. In fact, an XLR out isn't much (if anything) more than a DI box (hence a pretty minimal circuit). And I know of zero DI boxes causing issues in case there's PP running.

 

[Ricmac024]

Fwiw, this is from the actual manual (3.8):

View attachment 42155

So even the manual mentions that Helix models can't deal with XLR lines once phantom power is present.

This thread feels like a really weird place to choose to go down this particular rabbit hole

 

[Sascha Franck]

This thread feels like a really weird place to choose to go down this particular rabbit hole

I don't even see any "rabbit hole". This thread brought up wishes for future L6 modeling devices - and very obviously, better hardware quality is a part of it. As easy as that.