Hello,
Just got a FCS-926 Equaliser, I've been looking for one for some time, it has analogue filters which are digitally controlled..
Info about the unit here: FCS-926 | BSS Networked Audio Systems
Unit arrived with multiple marks and was quite dirty so I thought I'd clean it quickly before installing it.
As soon as I opened it I noticed these awful modifications as if someone 'serviced' it with a kitchen knife, it's absolutely butchered.. 🙁
Can someone trace the changes and help me understand what has been done?
Back panel MIDI connectors:
Real Time Analyzer:
Front panel ribbon connector:
R92 disconnected:
Cheers!
Just got a FCS-926 Equaliser, I've been looking for one for some time, it has analogue filters which are digitally controlled..
Info about the unit here: FCS-926 | BSS Networked Audio Systems
Unit arrived with multiple marks and was quite dirty so I thought I'd clean it quickly before installing it.
As soon as I opened it I noticed these awful modifications as if someone 'serviced' it with a kitchen knife, it's absolutely butchered.. 🙁
Can someone trace the changes and help me understand what has been done?
Back panel MIDI connectors:
Real Time Analyzer:
Front panel ribbon connector:
R92 disconnected:
Cheers!
Attachments
So how does it SOUND??
To my eye, the printed-on grounding scheme was not satisfactory, to someone, so it was scratched-off here and jumpered-over there.It may really be an improvement. It could possibly be a factory job (though the ugliest re-work I have ever seen.) It may be situation-dependent (studio had a ground fault and this hack "fixed" the EQ to the studio). It could be OCD (geeks "know" things and have to act on them).
To my eye, the printed-on grounding scheme was not satisfactory, to someone, so it was scratched-off here and jumpered-over there.It may really be an improvement. It could possibly be a factory job (though the ugliest re-work I have ever seen.) It may be situation-dependent (studio had a ground fault and this hack "fixed" the EQ to the studio). It could be OCD (geeks "know" things and have to act on them).
Some sort of hum / buzz / capacitive crosstalk ground issue hunting...
I would say the green wire was factory installed.
I would say the green wire was factory installed.
Thanks @PRR and @MAAC0 for shedding some light here! 
I noticed it was mainly around PCB's grounding but seeing how it was worked on, the last thing I expected was for this to be an actual improvement!? 😕
So after putting all back together I hooked up the unit expecting all sorts of issues/noise/MIDI faults etc.. but the unit sounds good actually. 🙄
So what you guys said makes sense now, I tested channels individually Input and Output and couldn't find issues, just a bit of 40Hz hum but within acceptable levels, I wasn't sure what to believe - Midi works fine too.
Based on the modifications, is there anything in particular I should check more closely?
Cheers!
I noticed it was mainly around PCB's grounding but seeing how it was worked on, the last thing I expected was for this to be an actual improvement!? 😕
So after putting all back together I hooked up the unit expecting all sorts of issues/noise/MIDI faults etc.. but the unit sounds good actually. 🙄
So what you guys said makes sense now, I tested channels individually Input and Output and couldn't find issues, just a bit of 40Hz hum but within acceptable levels, I wasn't sure what to believe - Midi works fine too.
Based on the modifications, is there anything in particular I should check more closely?
Cheers!
This is really common. BSS crossovers were used in lots of fixed installations in studios and live venues, and it was really common for rework to be done to suit a particular application.
My father used to do service on BSS amplifiers and crossovers, and it was not unusual to have "factory modifications" for specific applications. This is really a bit of a hack-job compared to what I've seen before, but my guess is that it was done very intentionally for a specific purpose.
Unfortunately, BSS is now owned by Harman, which is owned by Samsung. While they used to be great with schematics, GOOD LUCK even getting them to respond to you.
BSS filters have always sounded great, I expect you'll probably really enjoy this.
My father used to do service on BSS amplifiers and crossovers, and it was not unusual to have "factory modifications" for specific applications. This is really a bit of a hack-job compared to what I've seen before, but my guess is that it was done very intentionally for a specific purpose.
Unfortunately, BSS is now owned by Harman, which is owned by Samsung. While they used to be great with schematics, GOOD LUCK even getting them to respond to you.
BSS filters have always sounded great, I expect you'll probably really enjoy this.