Champ clone fried my soundcard

[Cassiel]

Hi,

My Fender champ clone was oscillating when i pushed it to the maximum( hi Trout ) and desperate, after hours trying to fix the problem, i plugged it into my pc output just to listen to some music to calm my nerves...no oscillation at normal levels but i had to try didn't i? so i pushed it again and now my pc is mute. Soundcard was integrated in the motherboard so i guess now i have to buy a new PC.(

Some questions:

What the %$·! did it happen?
Would my soundcard be still alive with a cap in the amp's input?

Thanks.

[Giaime]

Hi stalker,

I don't think that an oscillating amp INPUT can do something to your soundcard. Maybe if you connected the speaker output or a line out to your soundcard in, it would harm, but this way...

Maybe you've got a bad solder joint on the sound card output jack, that's an easy fix, I've seen this many times. Otherwise, check your software settings.

Anyway, if you're still suspicious, measure with a dmm the voltage present at your amp input when it's oscillating. It should be zero volts DC and AC with or without oscillation.

[karma]

even if the onboard sound card was fried you can add a pci sound card and turn off the onboard in the bios

motherboards still good just stay away from onboard vga

caps in the amp's input would be a good idea if your using it on the pc sound card.

i found this out the hard way in the past

[Cassiel]

I don't think that an oscillating amp INPUT can do something to your soundcard. Maybe if you connected the speaker output or a line out to your soundcard in, it would harm, but this way...

So what happened? Software is ok, no bad solders.

Anyway, if you're still suspicious, measure with a dmm the voltage present at your amp input when it's oscillating. It should be zero volts DC and AC with or without oscillation.

The amp doesn't oscillate anymore so ...

The souncard headphone output doesn't work either nor the internal speaker...just mute

even if the onboard sound card was fried you can add a pci sound card and turn off the onboard in the bios

no pci slots ... i was thinking maybe an usb soundcard would work.

Thanks for the replies.

[karma]

even better

[Trout]

Originally posted by stalker
Hi,

My Fender champ clone was oscillating when I pushed it to the maximum( hi Trout ) and desperate, after hours trying to fix the problem, I plugged it into my pc output just to listen to some music to calm my nerves...no oscillation at normal levels but I had to try didn't i? so I pushed it again and now my pc is mute. Soundcard was integrated in the motherboard so I guess now I have to buy a new PC.(

Some questions:

What the %$·! did it happen?
Would my soundcard be still alive with a cap in the amp's input?

Thanks.

Have you determined the source of the oscillation?

The amp doesn't oscillate anymore so ...

I still have a champ sitting here with a suspected bad oscillation at 3/4 - full volume.
I exhausted every known cure and about 15 replaced parts and have not cured mine. (waiting on the arrival of a new PT)

I have built 5 of those little champs and just love them, But the one here is a real mystery.
I take it with the lack of a PCI slot your using a laptop? I ask because I often use my laptop to drive an occasional amp and If there is a suggested method of input protection for this I would be jumping to try it here too.
Trout

[Cassiel]

Hi Trout:

Have you determined the source of the oscillation?

Well i did change caps, pots and tubes with no result. Then with the amp oscillating i began to move around the signal wire until it stopped. I must say that it's still on the verge cause if i start touching the insides again the oscillation comes back. In my case it was a matter of a few inches, i didn't follow the original layout, by the way if you want to see it, here it is:

http://www.pisotones.com/TheChamp/5E1.htm

I still have a champ sitting here with a suspected bad oscillation at 3/4 - full volume.

I know Read the whole thread.

I take it with the lack of a PCI slot your using a laptop? I ask because I often use my laptop to drive an occasional amp and If there is a suggested method of input protection for this I would be jumping to try it here too.

Yes, a laptop. For me it's too late but i still don't understand what went wrong.

[Trout]

http://www.pisotones.com/TheChamp/5E1.htm

That is truly a fine unit. ( Also VERY Valuable) Its very rare to see one in that condition and being a transition Model/Year makes it even more rare. I noticed the lack of a choke as soon as I visited your site.

Looking closely at the pictures, I noticed that 1 of the input jacks appears to be open rather than its normally closed position. ( Might be viewing angle in photo).

I know on my good unit it got very weird with oxidation on a jack, Even started picking up radio signals


Everything inside yours looks great!!
Gene