mark1101

James is right. In fact I contacted DBX and they confirmed it was a batch issue. They have offered to replace the defective transformers for free. It was simply mechanical noise.

Just to add a couple of more points. Since I do have 2 Scotts operating in different rooms I can relate to what Ryan is saying about the differences in some of these amps. Granted I have only heard my 2, but I understand what he is saying. I just have a hard time with saying one is better than the other. Heck, they are both great, with slightly different sound characteristics that you would expect by design. I can't say one is better. If I was forced to give one away, I don't know which one it would be. You really can't go wrong with any of these in my optinion. My other point is that I have never swapped the 222 to the corns, or the 299 to the Las since they were rebuilt. So I still have some testing to do. All I know is that I had used both amps for a few weeks before I sent them to Craig. ...and what a difference now. The rebuilds made all the difference in the world.

Craig, When my 299 came back from your rebuild, the first thing I noticed, and I posted this, was that it was like I got a new set of tweeters. The top end really came alive. But after many hours now, the bottom end has opened up as well. I would not say my 299 is too bright, but it has excellent top end. That being said it is definitely brighter than the 222 you rebuilt with all the same components. But I just think the 2 amps have their own sound characteristic differences, which I completely enjoy. The 222 and the LaScalas are awesome together. I agree with everyone else, that I wish both had more balls. But I am totally satisfied with both, and can accomplish just about everything I need to right now. More power would be the added bonus. Recently, you have probably seen my posts refer to a new equalizer, a DBX 1215. Well I also have a DBX 1231 that I use on the 299 system. I actually bring the top end up just a hair on the EQ (10K-15K raneg sliders). So, the 299 is not too bright for me. I am picking up a SONY scd-222es Saturday, and my scd-555es will be delivered in another week or so. I got them both for a song from Hi-Fi Buys because they were demo units. These units were at other stores and my local one obtained them. We canvased the leftovers at all the Hi-Fi Buys stores in the southeast to see what was available as "open box." Way cheaper than Ebay, and a big surprise to me. Once I audition them, I can provide additional comments on the brightness.

In answer to the original question, my son has the last system shown below in his bedroom (Denon/Heresys). He turned 14 on X-mas eve. So, I think he may get at least a tie for having Heresys at 13. Keep up the good work young man and stick with Heritage Klipsch. Before you know it, all your friends will be following you and getting Heritage Klipsch. Trust these old tube amp guys. They know what they are talking about. Hey, how do you get money to buy audio equipment? I pay my son an allowance for work he moans about doing. But he couldn't afford Heresys yet. He buys too many paint ball guns.

You can see what I have below. I love them both more and more as I play each of them. They have different sound characteristics, but I consider that part of their classic nature. The 222 is well balanced throughout with maybe a little more bass. Not nearly as much power as the 299. If it had that kind of power, whoa. I'd like that. The 299, the way Craig has it set up for me, is unbelievable with extreme highs and lows. My cornwalls immediately sounded like I had new speakers when I started using the 299 on them. I still can't believe some of the bass notes that can from from those corns. Skips the CDs at times. Get any Scott amp on Ryan's list. You can't go wrong if it's rebuilt properly. I would not even consider a Scott purchase without expecting to have it rebuilt. That's why everyone says they sound so good. It's after they are rebuilt. Get a Scott.

Craig, Nice job bud. Quick question. What part of the circuit is on the board?

Mark, I could tell by your response, you might be a little disgusted with the idea of having a new unit humming in the rack (or probably having an EQ at all). So, I got to thinking and called DBX. They verified that it was a batch issue and will replace both the transformers for free. They said that there were misaligned plates and too little enamel causing this issue on various units. Since I had this unit apart last night, I can tell it will be a simple repair as they each mount with 2 bolts, and simply plug into the circuit boards. DBX said the unit should not hum and recommended I immediately send it in for a free test and repair. Actually, good customer service.

Mark, Last night I took the DBX apart. It hummed no matter where I plugged it in all by itself disconnected from the audio system. There are 2 power supplys wrapped in a thin sheet metal shield curved over them. Both were physically loose although they were fastened with nuts, bolts and star washers. I tightened everything up and they still hum a small amount. They look to me like pretty cheap power supplys. If you push down on them with your finger you can quiet them some, as the shields seem to be resonating the sound. The unit functions fine. I would bet it was like this out of the box and I never noticed it. Thanks for the help.

Lots more corns out there. Lots. You'll get some. I have had the same ups and downs on Ebay as everyone has mentioned. All over the place, learning new "deals" all the time. Losing things that I really would like. I have gotten sniped time and time again to the point where, I'll admit it, now I'm sniping too. Why not? Pretty soon that won't work either when everyone's doing it. I will always respect the folks on this forum and try not to step on anyone's feet when they openly say they are going for something. I don't need anything that bad.

Mark, If the problem is a noisy or defective power supply (not an unfastened one), does that mean that the life expectancy is any less? Should I send this unit back? It is brand new. How do you think a manufacturer would respond to a complaint of this sort? The unit works fine, it just makes noise. The noise does not affect the performance as far as I can tell. Can a unit develop this problem? Or is it generally there from day 1? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks

Mark, I have the CD player sitting right on top of the DBX right now. For X-mas, I took my audio rack down to the basement system to make more room upstairs for the tree. The DBX, and CD player are sitting right on top of a cornwall right now, and the Scott is on the top of the stack. I know I should be shot for such a setup, but I have a new cabinet coming and it is only temporary. There is definitely some vibration as well (so I may need to tighten the PS). Sometimes a heavy bass note skips CDs. It makes sense that separating the equipment might help. I already tried running ground wires touching all the chassis together, no change. Reversed plugs, isolated plugs, all while in the stack configuration, no change. I will take the DBX out of the system into and plug it in in another room all by itself and see what I get before I take it apart. Thanks for the help.

Mark, I think you are on to it. The way you describe it, that's what I am experiencing. I said it didn't make the sound originally. However, now I am wondering becasue when I first got the unit I can not remember powering it by itself with no music and hearing the hum. It is possible it did this right out of the box. But it makes such an audible hum/whine that I can't imagine missing it when I first plugged it in. All right, now what? Is the power supply defective. I see Mike mentioned his was replaced and still did the same thing. Is the DBX-1215 a piece of crap? It sure works pretty well if you use it correctly.

Thanks for the info guys. This weekend I will have some time to spend on sorting this out.

No. I am actually even plugged into the same power surge protector that I was before I moved the system. I have moved the system from one side of the TV to the other. The only difference I can see is being near the cable TV outlet and the short run of cable to the TV, if that has anything to do with it. Can it be the surge protector? It is supposedly a good one. I paid about $40.00 for it, and the TV and HT are also plugged into it. By the way, I'm a sniper now. Thanks

OK, maybe I should reword. I here a med / high pitch hum (or whine) definitely coming from inside the EQ. I can here it from 3 feet away. This occurs immediately when it is turned on whether any other components are powered or not. In other words, it has nothing to do with the music. The box hums when it is turned on. It didn't before I moved it. The music sounds fine and the speakers have no audible degradation due to this that I can here. Thanks again

Tom, I agree. I'm busy like everyone else. And when I see something that I want and it doesn't have BIN, it costs time and I always lose. There is no doubt I got sniped by software, and not by a live bidder. I sat and watched the bids fly by at the 5 second mark. It had to be automated. I shouldn't even complain, I deserve it for not doing it myself. Enough said. Lesson learned.

I changed where I plug my system into when I took down the x-mas tree. Actually, I put everything back the way it used to be. However now, I get a power supply hum in my EQ. It is a brand new DBX-1215. It didn't hum where it was plugged in last week. I get no hum through the speakers, the sound is fine. However, you can just stand near it and hear a med/high pitch hum when it is turned on. The other components are just a CD player, and Scott 299. Both are fine. I checked all connections, reversed AC plugs where not 3-prong. Had no effect on hum. I am suspicious of the CATV outlet. The system was not near it when it sounded fine. Now it is right near the CATV outlet and cable runs behind the audio system. I checked those connections and they seem fine. OK, besides telling me to lose the EQ, what could be the source of this hum? Thanks

Gary, I'll bet the firmware checksum didn't add up on boot up. Basically, I'm guessing the operational software got corrupted. Since it probably resides on a chip, something went wrong on the ROM chip. The very first test a device as such would do on boot up is check the program memory to verify the operational software. If the first test failed, guess what? I would bet they either reflash the software or change a chip. Either way, some down time. I hope you get some satisfaction soon. Today, for the second time in 2 weeks, I got sniped on a 222ES as I watched the time tick down to around 5 seconds before the bidding ended. Hey Gary, did the unit ever work correctly? If not, it may have been zapped by a scanner or x-ray during shipping.

I changed where I plug my system into when I took down the x-mas tree. Actually, I put everything back the way it used to be. However now, I get a power supply hum in my EQ. It is a brand new DBX-1215. It didn't hum where it was plugged in last week. I get no hum through the speakers, the sound is fine. However, you can just stand near it and hear a med/high pich hum when it is turned on. The other components are just a CD player, and Scott 299. Both are fine. I checked all connections, reversed AC plugs where not 3-prong. Had no effect on hum. I am suspicious of the CATV outlet. The system was not near it when it sounded fine. Now it is right near the CATV outlet and cable runs behind the audio system. I checked those connections and they seem fine. OK, besides telling me to lose the EQ, what could be the source of this hum? Thanks

Gary, Not good news. I am not familiar with that player, but that is a common boot error associated with most electronic controls. Usually a microprocessor controlled device will always go through a series of system tests at boot up. The processors are so fast now, it's almost instant, but everything in the system generally gets tested. An early boot test failed, such as program memory test or a RAM test, or maybe microprocessor self test. I am guessing a serious problem. Hope not. Let us know.

Gary, That JGB 3/18/78 show gets going and eventually sounds just like the Dead after awhile to me. I have played it over and over and to me it shows how much Jerry WAS the Dead back then. I wonder if the other guys learned anything from Jerry's solo shows? The Phil shows are also excellent. Great stuff for my collection. I'll let you know on the new DPs. Thanks Gary.

2003 purchases 1 pair LaScalas 1 pair Heresys 1 Scott 299 1 Scott 222 2 NOSValves rebuilds 1 DBX 1215 EQ Happy New Year everyone. I hope I somehow have another fun year without spending as much. 2003 was awesome for me because of eveyone here and all I learned. I already am looking at at least one Sony SACD player, 1 Scott tuner, and a DBX 1231 EQ right now. I guess the year is starting right. Cheers everyone. By the way Gary, I must be in the wrong line of work. Nice year pal. Also, I got DPs 27-30 and Closing of Winterland DVD for x-mas. Right now I'm listening to 30, Academy of Music, NY., NY. 3/25/72 (On the LaScalas). What did you say? huh? Can't hear you.

For $4100 you should be able to buy at least 2 pairs of LaScalas, and maybe even 1 pair or 2 of corns, plus a six pack and a tank of gas. The used ones sound exact to the new ones, and go for a song compared to new prices. There are a lot of classic mint pairs out there. But to each his own.

I have both. The differences are definitely there as everyone has described. I have each set up in its own environment for 2 CH listening. The corns are in the great room and the LaScalas in the basement. My point is that I greatly enjoy both systems and their differences, and give each about equal use. Pardon my description, but I get "church organ" type bass out of my corns. The LaScalas have a much tighter bass characteristic but very realistic. The other most striking difference is the more powerful mid horn on the Las. If I want to play it really loud, the LaScala system gets turned on. Get both if you can. You will keep both.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere. I'll have a double tang and tonic (breakfast of champions). What a week. Every spare moment I get I try to read here to continue the learning process and have some fun. But at times, the in-fighting just ruins it all. Reminds me of my kids arguing about who was on the sofa first, and what they will watch on TV. I'll have another, Max. One for the road, so I can get to work. Thanks