I need help with my studio preamp.

[Rileigh]

Hey guys,

I am new to this board so I don't know if this thread my violate any rules or if these questions have been answerd elsewhere. I used the search funktion but haven't found anything that could help me with me problem.

I have recently been able to acquire a studio preamp for a rather low price (lower then the general used market) and while it is working just fine there are some kinks that I would like to iron out before fully installing it in my rig.

The one thing that I have noticed is a lowed humming noise coming from the transformer. The noise is caused by the vibrating transformer itself and makes me wonder if it needs to be replaced. The noise is not very loud and always present.
It doesn't seem to affect the tone of the preamp but it is a pain in the ***.

I haven't been able to find any precise information on transformer and thus wasn't able to find a replacement for it.

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/de/sho...Bassman_100_111

This one seems to be the closest I have come to the original one (sine the studio preamp is a IIC derivative!?)

Can you guys help me with this one or am I just out of luck here?


PS: What is the best method to get rid of alle the dust that has settled on the pcb? Would isopropanol do the job or should I use something else?


Edit:

Here are some pictures.


http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1280/dsc02308z.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4072/dsc02309d.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8817/dsc02310vz.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5682/dsc02311y.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1116/dsc02312l.jpg
http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/5923/dsc02314d.jpg
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5161/dsc02315h.jpg
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1318/dsc02316l.jpg
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1102/dsc02317l.jpg
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1102/dsc02317l.jpg
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3304/dsc02319i.jpg



Edit #2:

No one? Isn't there a single living creator on this planet who can help me with this problem?
Not even Boogie themselves are giving me any answers.
There has to be someone who has had a problem with his transformer in his studio preamp.

 

[daveyboogie]

Dude...

Quad mains TX should be same.

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Transformators_mains_transformers/Transf_MAINS_for_MESA_Quad_Preamp_Export_Versio_891

Will work on both US or export voltages (dont know which you have)

Don't really know what kind of humming / vibration level would be expected reasonable in a Stidio Pre. My Quad is pretty much silent... You can feel a slight vibration if you touch the TX case.

Don't worry too much about the dust. Carefully brush out the tube sockets with a soft paint brush from time to time and spray with a bit of switch cleaner.

HTH

 

[Rileigh]

Thank you so much.
I don't know how was able to overlook that one.
I have the export version so this one should suffice

But do you know what the P30 board stands for (could it be a revision of some sort)?


The hum is not very loud and as far as I know it is caused by unwanted direct current that is present in my setup. I have tried different receptacles in my house but the results are the same.
It shouldn't have any effect one the current that runs through the amp (as far as I know) but the vibrations could couse some trouble with the tooobz.

Anyway, thank you very much.


The dust is merely a cosmetic thing. I have used isopropanol on my dad's computer before and it worked quite well to remove some residue that has settled on his graphics card (he had a little leak in is cooling system).
I am just a little bit worried that some of the components could react with isopropanol.

 

[zodiac272]

hey,

look for canned air, the same stuff used to clean computers. it's inert and won't hurt.

the hum could be the 50-60 Hz hum from a ground loop. It's hard to think your tranny is fried, but anything is possible.

scott

 

[Rileigh]

I hope not. They main reason I am looking for a trany is so that I know where I can get one in case anything happens to the old one. I had some problems with other transformer from other devices that would give of the same kind of hum and they worked for years.

On the other hand.Would a broken transformer damage any other components or would the preamp just stop working properly?

 

[daveyboogie]

generally, if there's a problem with a TX it would get f****n hot but it shouldn't damage anything else in the pre.

Just keep an eye on it but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much unless the hum becomes unbearable.

 

[Rileigh]

Hey,

I am back again with another question :| .
According to tubeampdoctor.com the transformer they offer will only work with certain revisions of the Studio Preamp.
Mainly the revision that have a PCB with P 30 engraved in them. I have searched the Preamp for any clues as to whether or not mine has the right "Mainboard" but haven't been lucky so far.
The only thing the mainboard has written on it (other than the Patent number) is "Mesa Studio Preamp SP - 3b".
I guess that that has something to do with the revision, but it is definitely a B and not an 8.
So what should I do?
I can't find any information on any board revision of this preamp and it seems like I am totally screwed with regards to the replacement tranny.