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Post by ryguydrum on Sept 25, 2023 16:11:58 GMT -6
Hey everyone,
I have a GML 8900 series III that I bought second hand that needs servicing. I reached out to GML directly and got this response
Unfortunately, we no longer offer service for the 8900s due to lack of parts and just pure labor hours that we cannot allocate.
Has anyone here had good luck with a tech that has experience with these units? It might just be a simple recap and calibration that my unit needs but unfortunately now the left channel has a low level oscillating noise and the output is out of whack. Any help is much appreciated!! Thank you
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Post by ironinthepath on Sept 25, 2023 20:55:27 GMT -6
If GML no longer offers service, are they willing to give you a schematic? From a quick web search, even a simple recap might require a precision recalibration to get the time-constants of the circuit sub-blocks to interact properly (peak detection, and two different RMS levels) etc. using high end audio test equipment not every tech would have (AP, for example).
It also seems like this calibration process can be tedious or at least has a very specific "recipe".
Either way, a schematic and some understanding of "symptoms" can go a long way into diagnosing the problem.
Also, always check that the power supply is in full health before jumping to issues with the unit itself - but if one channel is fine and not the other, it's unlikely supply itself is the issue (unless somehow there are dedicated regulators for each, with only one being problematic).
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Post by ryguydrum on Sept 26, 2023 10:16:36 GMT -6
Thanks ironinthepath . The tech at GML was kind enough to send a photo of which caps to replace inside the unit. And he offered to help guide someone through the process of calibrating the unit and any documents we might need along the way. If I were tech savvy enough I might take a crack at it but I am not! I reached out to my tech here in Nashville but he has never worked on one and knew these units were complex so he suggested taking it to someone who knew their way around an 8900. I was thinking of reaching out to Dave Kulka @ Studio Electronics in Burbank. |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,794 
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Post by ericn on Sept 26, 2023 15:01:50 GMT -6
Thanks ironinthepath . The tech at GML was kind enough to send a photo of which caps to replace inside the unit. And he offered to help guide someone through the process of calibrating the unit and any documents we might need along the way. If I were tech savvy enough I might take a crack at it but I am not! I reached out to my tech here in Nashville but he has never worked on one and knew these units were complex so he suggested taking it to someone who knew their way around an 8900. I was thinking of reaching out to Dave Kulka @ Studio Electronics in Burbank. It’s hard to argue with Dave when it comes to finding a great tech! |
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Post by ryguydrum on Sept 27, 2023 8:18:34 GMT -6
It’s hard to argue with Dave when it comes to finding a great tech! He is a great tech! Unfortunately he doesnt service the 8900 units. I'll keep looking and if anyone here knows of anyone please send me their info! |
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
Posts: 15,794
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Post by ericn on Sept 27, 2023 8:35:24 GMT -6
It’s hard to argue with Dave when it comes to finding a great tech! He is a great tech! Unfortunately he doesnt service the 8900 units. I'll keep looking and if anyone here knows of anyone please send me their info! That sucks, good luck, if I get a chance I’ll dig through my old rep / distributor/ service files and see if I can come up with someone but my first thought his give the guys at Blackbird Studios a shout, if anyone is going to know who can and will do the work it’s them! |
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Post by sean on Sept 27, 2023 8:51:35 GMT -6
Thanks ironinthepath . The tech at GML was kind enough to send a photo of which caps to replace inside the unit. And he offered to help guide someone through the process of calibrating the unit and any documents we might need along the way. If I were tech savvy enough I might take a crack at it but I am not! I reached out to my tech here in Nashville but he has never worked on one and knew these units were complex so he suggested taking it to someone who knew their way around an 8900. I was thinking of reaching out to Dave Kulka @ Studio Electronics in Burbank. You might want to ask Robb or Michael at Blackbird and see if they have any suggestions since they have several in their studios. |
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Post by ryguydrum on Sept 27, 2023 10:16:01 GMT -6
Blackbird is a great call. Will reach out and report back!! Thanks guys.
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Post by ryguydrum on Sept 28, 2023 9:27:17 GMT -6
Ok! So I reached out to Blackbird and unfortunately they didn't have any suggestions. They said even their own tech dept. won't touch them. I'm going to try some more leads. Hopefully this wont become a very expensive doorstop...
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Post by EmRR on Sept 29, 2023 6:35:01 GMT -6
Wasn’t Manley handling GML for awhile?
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Post by sean on Sept 29, 2023 7:14:04 GMT -6
Ok! So I reached out to Blackbird and unfortunately they didn't have any suggestions. They said even their own tech dept. won't touch them. I'm going to try some more leads. Hopefully this wont become a very expensive doorstop... If GML is willing to give you a schematic and calibration procedure and has someone who's available to answer questions if they arise I might have someone who can help you...but GML saying lack of parts is concerning...but I'll send you his number in a PM |
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Post by drumsound on Sept 29, 2023 9:33:05 GMT -6
He is a great tech! Unfortunately he doesnt service the 8900 units. I'll keep looking and if anyone here knows of anyone please send me their info! That sucks, good luck, if I get a chance I’ll dig through my old rep / distributor/ service files and see if I can come up with someone but my first thought his give the guys at Blackbird Studios a shout, if anyone is going to know who can and will do the work it’s them! Maybe reach out to Greg Norman or Steve Albini (Electrical Audio) and see what they have to say. They have an 8900 and take pride in the maintenance of the studio. both very good suggestions. |
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