7520 disaster - bugger!

[Gazjam]

Damn, damn,damn!

We had a power cut yesterday here where I live, which tripped all the electrics.
On resetting the Trips all the equipment came back on....

.....except my Dac.

I think perhaps there was a power surge thats burnt something out, I dont know.
I had been running the PSU at 12Volts as well, and had been for a while, so no clues to what has happened.

I checked all the usual things...but its the Dac thats not coming on.
:(

Its been modded by Tirna to near Caiman Spec, and the Opamps have been swapped about lots of times.

Any repair advice out there chaps?
Maybe one for Stan?


Thanks.
Gary.

[Stratmangler]

Have you checked the PSU output with a multimeter ?

Chris:)

[Gazjam]

How do you mean Chris?
Its been working fine for ages?

I figured there MAY have been a spike..but I know bugger all about this stuff to be honest!

Just know it probably needs repaired...

:(

[Stratmangler]

Have you measured the voltage that the PSU gives out ?

Chris:)

[StanleyB]

You can start by checking that the fuse in the DAC is OK. It' in that blue cap close to the DC input socket.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

have you tried it with the original psu?.. i know nothing either but thats what i would try first

[Gazjam]

You can start by checking that the fuse in the DAC is OK. It' in that blue cap close to the DC input socket.

Thanks for that Stan, I'll check that.

Hamish, good shout; unfortunately I dont have the original PSU, but the Maplins one I have is showing as working (theres a red LED on)

I'll try the Dac fuse first.

Thanks Guys

[The Vinyl Adventure]

does a red light actually mean working though? .. might be a case of "the lights on but nobodys home"

[Gazjam]

possibly..ill check that out too.

REALLY notice the difference by the way between the Squeezeboc Dac and the BDac...
its that "night and day" thing you always read about but never hear! :)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

you got contents insurance?

[Stratmangler]

does a red light actually mean working though? .. might be a case of "the lights on but nobodys home"

That's why I mentioned measuring the output.

Chris:)

[Gazjam]

Chris, I've a voltmeter in the toolbox need to dig that out.

Should have insurance Hamish yeah....good thinking!



Stan,
the fuse.....

Is it an easily replacable type or a more specialised one?

Thanks.

[Ali Tait]

If you can make it over here,I'll have a look if you don't get it working Gaz.

[Gazjam]

If you can make it over here,I'll have a look if you don't get it working Gaz.

Ali, appreciate the gesture Sir!
Ill PM you if thats ok if I get stuck.

thanks very much,
Gary.

[Ali Tait]

No worries.:)

[StanleyB]

the fuse.....

Is it an easily replacable type or a more specialised one?

It's round....

[Gazjam]

Classic Stan there!
:-)

I checked the fuse and seems ok unfortunately...
Ah well must be something deeper inside the Dac.

I used a meter to check the Psu.... It's outputting 12.3v so that's ok too.

Bugger.
On to Plan B then!


Thanks for the help guys.
Gaz

[The Vinyl Adventure]

And stan wins usefull post of the week! ;)

[Stratmangler]

Classic Stan there!
:-)

I checked the fuse and seems ok unfortunately...
Ah well must be something deeper inside the Dac.

I used a meter to check the Psu.... It's outputting 12.3v so that's ok too.

Bugger.
On to Plan B then!




Thanks for the help guys.
Gaz

Did you check the fuse with the multimeter too ?
Sometimes fuses can be blown without giving any appearance of having blown.

Chris:)

[Gazjam]

Thanks for that Chris,
no didn't check the fuse with the meter, just a visual check.

How would I check the fuse with the meter?
Will it show a potential across both the end caps or...?

I'm a numpty with this stuff!

[StanleyB]

If the power LED does not come ON when the power button is pressed, change the fuse. Also check that the fuse is sitting back tight in the fuse holder after you have removed it and fitted it back.

[Gazjam]

It's round....

Cheers stan.

[Alex_UK]

Surely its cylindrical? :ner:

[Stratmangler]

Thanks for that Chris,
no didn't check the fuse with the meter, just a visual check.

How would I check the fuse with the meter?
Will it show a potential across both the end caps or...?

I'm a numpty with this stuff!

Set your meter to measure ohms - there is often one setting there which gives out an audble tone when you touch probes together - use that as you're only testng for continuity.

Chris:)

[Gazjam]

Will do Strat.

Top man!

[Marco]

Erm, in all this 'excitement', have you changed the fuse yet?? :lolsign:

;)

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

Erm, in all this 'excitement', have you changed the fuse yet?? :lolsign:

;)

Marco.

That's what this (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=81498&postcount=24) post is about.:doh:

Chris;)

[TheGreenManalishi]

possibly..ill check that out too.

REALLY notice the difference by the way between the Squeezeboc Dac and the BDac...
its that "night and day" thing you always read about but never hear! :)

Agreed, mine is a Caiman/Duet set up but the difference is reassuring.

Hope the issue is easy sorted.

[Marco]

That's what this (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=81498&postcount=24) post is about.:doh:

Chris;)

LOL... Chris, I was thinking more along the lines of simply removing the fuse (examining it to see if it has blown), and if so, putting a new one in of the same value (rather like changing a light bulb), which takes seconds to do and doesn't invlove the use of any test equipment! ;)

After doing that, the DAC will either light up and function as normal, or it won't... If it doesn't then Gaz will know something else is at fault.

Simples... :)

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

LOL... Chris, I was thinking more along the lines of simply removing the fuse (examining it to see if it has blown), and if so, putting a new one in of the same value (rather like changing a light bulb), which takes seconds to do and doesn't invlove the use of any test equipment! ;)

After doing that, the DAC will either light up and function as normal, or it won't... If it doesn't then Gaz will know something else is at fault.

Simples... :)

Marco.

I could of course refer to this (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=81478&postcount=17) post, but I have decided not to.......;)

Chris:ner:

[Marco]

Hahaha... I missed that one - too busy at the moment to do anything other than scan through threads! :lol:

Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :eyebrows: ;)

Marco.

[Gazjam]

uhm thanks for that Marco!
Captain Obvious strikes again! ;)

yeah, we were kinda discussing that.
:)

the fuse LOOKS fine, will test it on the meter this aft when I've spare time later.

Not saw that kind of fuse before though to be honest...smaller than the normal type, clear glass tube....
Anyways...least I know the next steps....

Churz


LOL... Chris, I was thinking more along the lines of simply removing the fuse (examining it to see if it has blown), and if so, putting a new one in of the same value (rather like changing a light bulb), which takes seconds to do and doesn't invlove the use of any test equipment! ;)

After doing that, the DAC will either light up and function as normal, or it won't... If it doesn't then Gaz will know something else is at fault.

Simples... :)

Marco.

[leo]

Sometimes the wire in the glass fuses look ok but aren't so its worth trying the meter across it set to continuity

Also check the fuse in the mains lead, if its only 3A it may have gone

Do you have a multimeter Gaz? if so we can go through a few easy test points to measure voltage, anything you don't understand don't feel silly asking, we are all here to help:)

[Gazjam]

Hey Leo, thanks for that.
I tested the fuse on a multimeter by setting it to Ohms (as strats suggestion) to measure resistance?
My understanding is that it should show a reading if there's continuity between.both the endcaps?
There wasn't any Reading, so I'm guessing the fuse is blown.

Would this be right? As I say i'm not up to speed on electrical stuff.

Regarding a replacement fuse (if that's the problem) would it be a 5 x 20mm slow blow type available from the likes of Maplins?
Like this?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=452&&source=14&doy=24m1
If so, cool. I could pick up one of them from my local Maplins no problem.
I tested the psu, and it's putting out around 12v at the plug, so I've eliminated that.


Not sure about rating though, would a 3a suffice,
is there a particular type for the Dac?
Don't want to resort to the old silver paper trick! ;)
kidding!

Thanks Again,
Gary.

[Alex_UK]

Don't want to resort to the old silver paper trick! ;)

I remember sending out for a Kit-Kat or Polos on more than one occasion when I was DJ'ing back in the late 80's! Wouldn't work now, there'll all plastic wrappers!

[Covenant]

In my mum and dads house when a fuse blew they used a paper clip! There was only about 5 sockets in the house with multi-plugs connected up. Its amazing I am still here.

[Themis]

In my mum and dads house when a fuse blew they used a paper clip! There was only about 5 sockets in the house with multi-plugs connected up. Its amazing I am still here.
Yet another proof of the Divine Existence. :eyebrows:

[Dave Cawley]

There wasn't any Reading What did the display read, it must have been somthing?

Dave

[Gazjam]

Hi Dave,
I just meant there was no change in the Reading, it read "1" when the probes were apart, and this didn't change when connected to both ends of the fuse.

It DID change when I applied the probes to a different fuse I knew to be working.
Sorry bout the confusion ol fella!

[Ali Tait]

So looks like a voltage spike took out the fuse.Stan,what is the type and rating of the fuse please?

[leo]

Hey Leo, thanks for that.
I tested the fuse on a multimeter by setting it to Ohms (as strats suggestion) to measure resistance?
My understanding is that it should show a reading if there's continuity between.both the endcaps?
There wasn't any Reading, so I'm guessing the fuse is blown.

Would this be right? As I say i'm not up to speed on electrical stuff.

Regarding a replacement fuse (if that's the problem) would it be a 5 x 20mm slow blow type available from the likes of Maplins?
Like this?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=452&&source=14&doy=24m1
If so, cool. I could pick up one of them from my local Maplins no problem.
I tested the psu, and it's putting out around 12v at the plug, so I've eliminated that.


Not sure about rating though, would a 3a suffice,
is there a particular type for the Dac?
Don't want to resort to the old silver paper trick! ;)
kidding!

Thanks Again,
Gary.

Nice one Gaz, sounds like the fuse:smoking:
Regarding value, I'll check mine, it should actually be printed on one of the metal end caps if its a glass type, not be long, I'll see if mine has one on;)

[leo]

Well the one in mine is a 2A slow blow:)

[Gazjam]

Leo....you da man.
I'll pick one up from Maplins tommorow.

Thank y'all kindly!
:)

[mercury1 (trolling as Dave K)]

Great to see you'll soon be back into the music. Might be stating the obvious but get more than 1 fuse in case it happens again ;) .

[Stratmangler]

Great to see you'll soon be back into the music. Might be stating the obvious but get more than 1 fuse in case it happens again ;) .

The fuse in question is available from Maplin and the part number is GL62S - if you look on the website you'll see that they come in packs of 10.

Chris:)

[Gazjam]

Well the one in mine is a 2A slow blow:)

sure there's a joke in there somewhere.....

[Gazjam]

Great to see you'll soon be back into the music. Might be stating the obvious but get more than 1 fuse in case it happens again ;) .

Hey,
thanks for that....most kind.
:)

[Gazjam]

The fuse in question is available from Maplin and the part number is GL62S - if you look on the website you'll see that they come in packs of 10.

Chris:)

cheers Chris,
you ALSO da man!

:-)

[Alex_UK]

Great to see you'll soon be back into the music. Might be stating the obvious but get more than 1 fuse in case it happens again ;) .

Indeed - good advice, but a pack of 10 will hopefully never be needed!

At least it was only a fuse - and, it will have given you the opportunity to hear how the Squeezebox DAC sounds once more - you'll fall in love with your StanDac all over again!

[Gazjam]

You on commision Alex?

:)

iv no doubt your right...the squeezebox sounds flat in comparison

[Themis]

The other day there was someone wrote me that if I found the Caiman "better" than the SB dac, is that my system was not "revealing" enough !!! I couldn't believe my eyes !!!
He even added that the more "revealing" the system the less you hear differences between them...

When I asked him what could be possibly the logical reason that non-revealing systems mudded more the SB than the Caiman... he never answered. You bet !

Some people are really strange...

[Alex_UK]

You on commision Alex?

:)

iv no doubt your right...the squeezebox sounds flat in comparison

I ought to be, the amount of times I've blown smoke up Stan's Toslink! ;)

[Gazjam]

Try the coax, much more revealing.....

[Stratmangler]

cheers Chris,
you ALSO da man!

:-)

You're very welcome Gaz - at least it looks like you're going to be back up and running soon.

Chris:)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

We sell them little glass fuses in the shop I think, if you can't find one easy let me know and il chuck one in the post for ya

[Gazjam]

Daft question time....
(and i mean DAFT)

Had a look at the blue fuse holder inside the 7520...
is there an EASY way to get the fuse out?

I've removed the top cap from the fuse holder on the PCB....just cant get teh little bugger out of the top cap!
I dont want to break / bend the plastic housing if I dont have to...

so whats the "techs" way of removing it?



Told you it was daft!

[Stratmangler]

Daft question time....
(and i mean DAFT)

Had a look at the blue fuse holder inside the 7520...
is there an EASY way to get the fuse out?

I've removed the top cap from the fuse holder on the PCB....just cant get teh little bugger out of the top cap!
I dont want to break / bend the plastic housing if I dont have to...

so whats the "techs" way of removing it?



Told you it was daft!

Would a push from one end do it ?


Chris:)

[Stratmangler]

Would a push from one end do it ?


Chris:)

I'm guessing by the way - the only visual reference I've got is a piccy on the 'net.

Chris:)

[StanleyB]

Try turning is clockwise, or is that anti-clokwise:scratch:?

[leo]

Yep, I just twisted the one here yesterday when checking the value for you, its a bit tight but will come out, it goes in easier than it comes out:eyebrows:

[Stratmangler]

Did you manage to get the fuse out Gaz ?
Was that the source of your DAC problem ?

Chris:)

[Themis]

Fuse problem : take seven ! :)

[Gazjam]

Did you manage to get the fuse out Gaz ?
Was that the source of your DAC problem ?

Chris:)

NORMALITY IS RESTORED AND ALL IS WELL WITH THE WORLD!
:)

Replaced the fuse and lo and behold the blue leds came back on!
Big relief....

It WAS a bugger to get off and in fact the glass tube cracked under the strain of twisting it off - maybe i was too impatient to see if I could fix the Dac!

Serioulsy I cant believe the jump in quality with the BDac in place again.
The Dacs been off for a couple of days, but even right from switchon on was like the sound doubled in size, in height, width and depth.
The difference in detail, timbre all that good stuff was immense.
Just far far more high end sounding than the stock Squeezebox..


Anyone in a similar position to me....dont despair I've 9 fuses to spare!


Thanks for all the help Chaps, really appreciate it.
:)
Gary.

[Gazjam]

Fuse problem : take seven ! :)

Cheeky Monkey!
;)

[Stratmangler]

Excellent !

Brilliant device as the Squeezebox is it needs help in the sound stakes.


Chris:)

[Gazjam]

Thing is Chris, I thought it sounded quite ok actually...
until I fed it into the Dac.

On an additonal brighter note - got a new external HDD tonight, *(See my "Frank Spencer Moment" Post)* so I can listen to all my FLACS again and not just LastFm, Radio paradise etc..

A good listening sesh tommorow night is in order!
(Just need a couple of good bottles to go with it)

:)

[Alex_UK]

:mex:

[Gazjam]

Cheers Mucker!

(and no Kit Kat wrappers either!)

[mercury1 (trolling as Dave K)]

NORMALITY IS RESTORED AND ALL IS WELL WITH THE WORLD!
:)

Replaced the fuse and lo and behold the blue leds came back on!
Big relief....

Gary.
Hi Gary,
Great news.

[Ali Tait]

Well done mate.Glad all is well. :)

[leo]

Well done Gaz! go enjoy those tunes :cool:

[Gazjam]

You betcha
:)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Chuffed for ya bud, it's always nice when it turns out to be somthing simple!

[Themis]

Fuse problem : take eight !

Cheers Gaz, glad you solved it ! ;)

Btw, some time ago I had read that the type of fuse (slow or other) could change some sonic characteristics ? Is it a hoax or is there some truth in that ?

[Alex_UK]

Btw, some time ago I had read that the type of fuse (slow or other) could change some sonic characteristics ? Is it a hoax or is there some truth in that ?

Who knows if there is any truth in it - but a fool and his money are soon parted, so they say...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Phonosophie-13-Amp-Gold-Plated-Fuse_W0QQitemZ230403705080QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Co mputing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item35a52188f8

I suppose if you are so loaded it doesn't matter it doesn't matter - but hard to justify in my opinion... Where do you stop?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

That's barmy!

[StanleyB]

The air quality can affect the sound. Audio playback can sound cloudy and with a veil in a smoke filled room...

[Shanedudddy2]

I always wondered how speakers sound in different atmospheres, say in high altitudes where the air is much thinner...

[Themis]

The air quality can affect the sound. Audio playback can sound cloudy and with a veil in a smoke filled room...
Damn, I'm doomed ! :doh: