HopDJ 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 I know someone who is prepared to run a mobile disco service using an amplifier that is at least 15 years old. Instead of investing in a new amp, the person is considering buying a new lighting truss, in case he extends his current lighting rig. Does anyone else apart from me find this completly crazy? I would personnaly be getting a new amp as soon as possible, especially considering the volume control is beginning to "go". Link to post Share on other sites
The Spindoctor 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Hmmmm tough one......... It all depends on usage, I'm happily running a 7yr old amp, but it has been looked after, serviced, and never hammered and I run that 6 nights a week!! However if as you say problems are starting to appear QUOTE volume control is beginning to "go". then he is going to find out sooner rather than later. Alternatively you could in theory have a DJ who only works one night a week in a tiny pub and his amp will last for 20+ years because its never been worked hard? Just my 4d worth The Spindoctor Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 I'm with you on this one, get the amp, the lights won't work without sound anyway .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 QUOTE I know someone who is prepared to run a mobile disco service using an amplifier that is at least 15 years old No big deal, providing its safe and well maintained it could go on to provide another 15 years!. Amps aren't like Cars which have moving parts to wear out, even 15 year old amps had transistors, @ 15 years your still only talking late 80's and that wasn't backward in technology. Joe is 16, does that make him a relic? and if so what the heck does that make Spin!!!. Some of the best Amps, were the first Harrison MOSFET amps circa 1979 / 1980, and the old Citronic PPX and H&H range are even older than 15 years old, but they would give some of the cheap imported amps today a very good run for their money http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/scared.gif . I watched a documentary about planes the other night, and many planes still used today have been flying for over 15 years....now THAT is scarey!!. Link to post Share on other sites
HopDJ 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 This is a Rolec amplifier. Even the company themselves have no information on this amplifier. No circuit diagrams, couldn't even tell us the Wattage. It's also ex-rental, as well as 2nd hand, so who knows about it's past. Link to post Share on other sites
YourBigEvent 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 I had a H/H 100w mono amp years ago .....but what do I know ? Your Big Event Office:01803 813540 Direct: 0797 0717 448 e.mail:info@yourbigevent.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
joe 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 26 2004, 05:54 PM) Joe is 16, does that make him a relic? Me, a relic? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/huh.gif I recon my amp must be more than 15yrs old! and still runnin like a dream http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Its made by 'Lyonforge' (400w) Anyone heard of that/them?! lol http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif Joe Link to post Share on other sites
kazzachi 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 Funny you should mention ppx crispy.... We still use a ppx900 and it is as good today as when del first got it...... If something is solid and reliable and looked after, who cares how old it is - as long as it does the job! WE LOVE KAREN, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE HER BACK !!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to post Share on other sites
tonyj 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 QUOTE (kazzachi @ May 26 2004, 09:40 PM)...... If something is solid and reliable and looked after, who cares how old it is - as long as it does the job! theres hope for Chris and ADS yet http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/tongue.gif .. infact it covers must of us in the DJU http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Member of The Musicians Union "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work." Link to post Share on other sites
High Fidelity 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 I reckon my amp is at least 15 years old. It's an ELV800 http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif I have not replaced it with a new one because I love the sound of it and it is in perfect working order. It puts out exactly what the mixer puts into it and has ample power for anything that I will need. Admittedly, I have replaced one of the volume pots since I got it. The only disadvantage it does have is it's weight, but that's certainly not a good enough reason to get a new one. I have no worries about it failing during a gig as I have a backup amp under the desk which would take me about 45 seconds to connect up. I don't carry the backup amp because of my main amps age, I carry it because even brand new equipment can fail at any time. (Thats what being in the Scouts does for you "Be Prepared" http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) Quitting Smoking & Drinking doesn't make you live longer It just feels like it. Link to post Share on other sites
The Spindoctor 0 Posted May 26, 2004 Report Share Posted May 26, 2004 QUOTE Its made by 'Lyonforge' (400w) Anyone heard of that/them?! Well well................ I also have a Lyonforge which is still running trouble free!!! QUOTE and if so what the heck does that make Spin!!!. Gee thanks Chris you've made an old man very happy!! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/sterb188.gif Spin Link to post Share on other sites
Kingy 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 I'm with Chris here. The PPX amps were very very well designed, suffering from no major problems. I have only ever repaired 1 for someone, the Caps had basically dried out after many years of service. That amp is still running the bottom end of his rig!!! ELV800......didn't think they were that old??? Lyon Forge amps, now, that takes me back. The ones with the VU meter on the front?? Long live the Bi-polar!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Gary 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Sometimes its a case of "Better the devil you know" Whilst any amp can fail, regardless of its age, at least with that old amp, the problem (of the volume control) is known about, easy to fix (not during a gig) and after this length of time, only to be expected. With a new amp could offer all sorts of new features, eg: Soft start, polarity inversion checks, thermal protection, better audio performance, but especially on the cheaper new amps, you might get some new problems/shortfalls too. My own Ramsa amps (the pro~stage/studio range from Technics/Panasonic) are around 10~12 years old, and work today as though this was day 1 of their life. Apart from a vacuuming out every two years, and cleaning of their air intake foam/cloth filter every 6 months (2 screws on the front panel) they've never needed any real servicing or repair. Link to post Share on other sites
HopDJ 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 26 2004, 06:54 PM) I watched a documentary about planes the other night, and many planes still used today have been flying for over 15 years....now THAT is scarey!!. That's why I fly easyJet, who are currenlty replacing all their planes with brand new ones. Anyway, back to the original point; He wants to buy a new lighting truss, when the existing one is still the right size, without buying new lights, because it will become too expensive. My advice was to get the sound sorted, above the 200W, then get new lights, and once the existing truss is too small, then buy the new one. Link to post Share on other sites
NineLives 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE air intake foam/cloth filter every 6 months (2 screws on the front panel) they've never needed any real servicing or repair. I have often thought about adding an air filter to my amps as there is so much cr*p gets pulled inside, any advice on type of filter material to use?, would it affect the cooling of the amp. Link to post Share on other sites
Gary 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 The filters on the Ramsa amps are a strange "random" texture, not a regular pattern of squares, or holes etc. They're sort of like stringy foam rubber. You could try Paula or Kazza to see if they've got some old tights that you could stretch over your amps air intake... Link to post Share on other sites
RobbieD 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE (NineLives @ May 27 2004, 10:37 AM)I have often thought about adding an air filter to my amps as there is so much cr*p gets pulled inside, any advice on type of filter material to use?, would it affect the cooling of the amp. Any filter will restrict the air flow to a greater or lesser extent. Amps that have filters on them have been designed to still cool adequately with the restricted air flow. But I wouldn't recommend adding a filter to an amp that doesn't already have one - unless it runs cool to start with. Link to post Share on other sites
joe 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 (edited) QUOTE (Kingy @ May 27 2004, 07:36 AM)Lyon Forge amps, now, that takes me back. The ones with the VU meter on the front?? Long live the Bi-polar!!! Yes, it has got VU meters on the front http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Here she is http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif , It's a Lyonforge P400: http://www.riverhaus.co.uk/images/lyonforge.JPG Please tell me if you can't see the image above http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Joe Edited June 2, 2004 by joe Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 Joe...your picture is a nice big advert for "This Bandwidth is being Stolen from Photostep.com". Once again Most free photo storage / hosting sites DO NOT allow you to link images to forums http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . Unless you pay them £££'s Link to post Share on other sites
NineLives 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE (Gary @ May 27 2004, 10:48 AM) The filters on the Ramsa amps are a strange "random" texture, not a regular pattern of squares, or holes etc. They're sort of like stringy foam rubber. You could try Paula or Kazza to see if they've got some old tights that you could stretch over your amps air intake... Hmmmm I have something like that in the Exractor fan in the kitchen, maybe cut some of that for the Amp? http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Link to post Share on other sites
NineLives 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE (RobbieD @ May 27 2004, 11:46 AM) QUOTE (NineLives @ May 27 2004, 10:37 AM)I have often thought about adding an air filter to my amps as there is so much cr*p gets pulled inside, any advice on type of filter material to use?, would it affect the cooling of the amp. Any filter will restrict the air flow to a greater or lesser extent. Amps that have filters on them have been designed to still cool adequately with the restricted air flow. But I wouldn't recommend adding a filter to an amp that doesn't already have one - unless it runs cool to start with. It was the airflow restriction I was a bit worried about. i am looking around the house for filter material, and found a new Green pan cleaner pad, it is pretty open structured and looks like it would not restrict airflow and maybe catch some of the dirt/dust that gets drawn into the amp. Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisPointon 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 All filters will cut down airflow by around 15% - 30% depending on the density of the material. If possible you are better going for the dedicated filters, rather than looking through your kitchen cupboards. I fitted a filter to my single fan Mcgregor RM1000, although it never triggered the thermal protection, I did notice the air temp from the exhaust vent rising at high power levels compared to the pre-filter days. Since the McGregor had a two speed thermally switched fan, I got around this problem by over-riding the fan temp sensor so that the fan ran continuously at full speed from cold http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif. This way the cooling got a head start, and the heat never really built up. Perfectionists amongst you, may mention the problem of full speed fan noise at very low volume levels, but it's not really an issue. Fan Filters can be bought from here. You can pay with a credit card and don't need an account http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Link to post Share on other sites
NineLives 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE Fan Filters can be bought from here. You can pay with a credit card and don't need an account Thanks Chris. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/smile.gif Always the same you think you have invented something new to find it has all been done before http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/laugh.gif Link to post Share on other sites
joe 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 27 2004, 01:02 PM) Joe...your picture is a nice big advert for "This Bandwidth is being Stolen from Photostep.com". Once again Most free photo storage / hosting sites DO NOT allow you to link images to forums http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . Unless you pay them £££'s Damn! the http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/censored.gif 's! /\ Well ive sorted the pic out so its there now http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif /\ Joe Link to post Share on other sites
High Fidelity 0 Posted May 27, 2004 Report Share Posted May 27, 2004 QUOTE ELV800......didn't think they were that old??? Anybody know anything about these. I bought mine second hand. I just thught it sounded great when I tested it before buying it, but I've no idea if they are supposed to good. I'd never heard of them till I bought mine. Quitting Smoking & Drinking doesn't make you live longer It just feels like it. Link to post Share on other sites
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