Kurzweil Rumour Reliability?

[kahuna]

My brand new Rumour is acting really odd right out of the box.

When I connect the power it makes clicking sounds every few seconds and the sound cuts out. The level LCD goes out while this clicking goes on. After a couple of hours it seems to settle down but I am worried it will screw up just when I need it the most.

Are there any other Rumour owners out there whose unit does this? Will the unit be reliable even with this fault?

I live in the sticks in Australia and I bought this from the US so taking it back is rather involved - although the retailer has offered a full refund.

Thanks,

Kahuna

[Lambo]

Most imported electronic equipment I have come across supports dual (110V/60cycle versus 220V/50 cycle) voltages. I am not familiar with the Kurzweil whether it has a setting on the back of the unit or a wall wart but I would check it out as the odd performance sounds like it could be a voltage issue.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by Lambo

Most imported electronic equipment I have come across supports dual (110V/60cycle versus 220V/50 cycle) voltages. I am not familiar with the Kurzweil whether it has a setting on the back of the unit or a wall wart but I would check it out as the odd performance sounds like it could be a voltage issue.

No such luck. It has a floor wart which I power using a voltage converter - 230v to 110v.

The unit does not turn off, only the input/output. The main screen stays lit.

[NL5]

Originally Posted by kahuna

My brand new Rumour is acting really odd right out of the box.

When I connect the power it makes clicking sounds every few seconds and the sound cuts out. The level LCD goes out while this clicking goes on. After a couple of hours it seems to settle down but I am worried it will screw up just when I need it the most.

Are there any other Rumour owners out there whose unit does this? Will the unit be reliable even with this fault?

I live in the sticks in Australia and I bought this from the US so taking it back is rather involved - although the retailer has offered a full refund.

Thanks,

Kahuna

Do you mean the level LED? It goes out - as in NOT lit?

Only problem I have had is trying to sync it to a 88 or 96khz signal.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by NL5

Do you mean the level LED? It goes out - as in NOT lit?

Only problem I have had is trying to sync it to a 88 or 96khz signal.

Yeah, LED. It goes out when the clicking happens. I turned it on again this morning and it clicks and sputters just like yesterday - reliably unreliable?

Maybe it just needs warming up?

Once it settles down I really like the effects.

I have thoughts about getting a refund for the Rumour and getting a Lexicon MX200. Would I be disappointed with the sound quality compared with the Kurzweil?

[fraserhutch]

Originally Posted by kahuna

Yeah, LED. It goes out when the clicking happens. I turned it on again this morning and it clicks and sputters just like yesterday - reliably unreliable?

Maybe it just needs warming up?

Once it settles down I really like the effects.

I have thoughts about getting a refund for the Rumour and getting a Lexicon MX200. Would I be disappointed with the sound quality compared with the Kurzweil?

Yes, you would be disappointed in the difference, imho.

I have 2 units and I have never observed the problem you are having. I would return it if possible, or have it looked at.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by fraserhutch

Yes, you would be disappointed in the difference, imho.

I have 2 units and I have never observed the problem you are having. I would return it if possible, or have it looked at.

Why do I always get these odd quirky problems? It wouldn't be so bad if I did not live in a remote part of Australia and I could rock up to the store and do a simple exchange.

Gear costs a eye and both balls down here - if you can get what you are after. I was lucky to find a dealer in the US willing to send me the Rumour in the first place.

Equipment problems are becoming a real bore.

[Bob's Mods]

Your power convertor could be introducing noise spikes that are larger than the Rumor can handle. Have you used this convertor with other 110 audio gear without any problems? You may want to try a power line conditioner to clean up the voltage on the 110 side. An UPS plugged into the 110 would provide a clean stable 110 for you also. Being that your in the outback somewhere wrestlin crocks, even the quality of your 220 line may be called to question.

Bob

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by Bob's Mods

Your power convertor could be introducing noise spikes that are larger than the Rumor can handle. Have you used this convertor with other 110 audio gear without any problems? You may want to try a power line conditioner to clean up the voltage on the 110 side. An UPS plugged into the 110 would provide a clean stable 110 for you also. Being that your in the outback somewhere wrestlin crocks, even the quality of your 220 line may be called to question.

Bob

That's a thought. I have used the converter for my RNP and Event ASP8's with no problems.

The problem happens when I first power up - so far - and as it warms up the Rumour seems to become stable. Does this still sound like a dirty power condition?

A power conditioner is probably a good idea anyhow.

Just an aside, is the 230v to 110v converter drawing full current even if my gear is idle?

Thanks,

Kahuna

[kahuna]

Maybe it is actually the converter that is warming up and becoming stable?

I will make an experiment by letting the converter warm up for an hour before I connect the Rumour.

Not many crocs around here but there plenty of kangaroo in my yard. Little buggers eat all my trees and plants. They were here first, and I do find them entertaining so I overlook their destructive eating habits. Plus it is very cute seeing the joeys in mamas pouch close up.

[kahuna]

I just reconnected the Rumour after it had cooled down for a couple of hours while I left the voltage converter on. The Rumour did it's usual trick of clicking as the sound disappears and reappears accordingly....bummer.

So it is not the converter warming up that causes the trouble.

[easychair]

Just for something to try, have you done a hard reset? The key sequence should be in the manual.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by easychair

Just for something to try, have you done a hard reset? The key sequence should be in the manual.

I have reset the unit - both soft and hard - several times.

I just sent Kurzweil an email to tech support to see what they might know about this.

The dealer I bought it from says he does not have any replacement units and he will not be getting any for 'a long time.' Is Kurzweil in some sort of strife? Is there a quality control problem since the company changed hands perhaps?

I asked them if they could send me a replacement directly.

The box sounds beautiful, but if the support or QC is lacking then I'd rather have something else. I hope I am wrong. Maybe I just got a random lemon?

[SonicAlbert]

I had a Rumour and it worked fine. You may have a quirky unit, or there could be some issue with your power converter that you haven't uncovered yet. Have you tried taking the Rumour to another facility that has a power converter? You might want to try that, if at all possible.

If the Rumour is not working properly, then you should return it and get your money back. I don't know of anything in that price range that is as good though.

[mrbowes]

I have a Rumour that used to do the same thing. I had it serviced at a local Kurzweil tech center and it works fine now - I suggest you do the same.

I did some research on this problem (using google), and it turns out there are other people who have had this problem as well. The issue is the power supply and dry solder joints.

I havn't tried the Lexicon unit you mentioned, but for the money, I doubt you'll find effects better than those on the Rumour. That being said, get that puppy fixed!

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by SonicAlbert

I had a Rumour and it worked fine. You may have a quirky unit, or there could be some issue with your power converter that you haven't uncovered yet. Have you tried taking the Rumour to another facility that has a power converter? You might want to try that, if at all possible.

If the Rumour is not working properly, then you should return it and get your money back. I don't know of anything in that price range that is as good though.

Thanks SA

I don't know anyone around that uses a converter or I would. It is beginning to cut out even after being on for many hours so the warm up period is not the only malfunction time.

Naturally, it seems to cut out right in the middle of me trying to record a track. I have been playing around with wet tracks to test the thing out. Sure makes it more fun to sing when the effects are so realistic.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by mrbowes

I have a Rumour that used to do the same thing. I had it serviced at a local Kurzweil tech center and it works fine now - I suggest you do the same.

I did some research on this problem (using google), and it turns out there are other people who have had this problem as well. The issue is the power supply and dry solder joints.

I havn't tried the Lexicon unit you mentioned, but for the money, I doubt you'll find effects better than those on the Rumour. That being said, get that puppy fixed!

Bingo! This sounds promising. Thanks.

[bwindsor]

First of all, you won't find anything in that price range as good...period.

Second, I have a Rumour that would sometimes cycle through its "booting up" when I first turned it on...never really locked on, just kept cycling, seemingly until it warmed up....couldn't figure out why it would do this, but anyway I decided to just leave it on all the time...it's now been on for about 5 months, never had so much as a glitch out of it...I normally don't leave my stuff on, but don't really see any harm in doing this, and it has corrected my problem 100%...just a thought.

Best of luck,

BW

[Bob's Mods]

You can easily verify bad solder by banging on the unit when using it and listening for any change in its output. I'm surprized bad solder would get through these days with proper testing and inspection. This is easy stuff to catch at the factory. If you hear changes when giving it a good thwack (not enough to cause it to give up the ghost though) then you've got assembly errors that are actually easily fixed if you know what your doing.

Bob

[Bob's Mods]

You can easily verify bad solder by banging on the unit when using it and listening for any change in its output. I'm surprized bad solder would get through these days with proper testing and inspection. This is easy stuff to catch at the factory. If you hear changes when giving it a good thwack (not enough to cause it to give up the ghost though) then you've got assembly errors that are actually easily fixed if you know what your doing.

Bob

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by bwindsor

First of all, you won't find anything in that price range as good...period.

Second, I have a Rumour that would sometimes cycle through its "booting up" when I first turned it on...never really locked on, just kept cycling, seemingly until it warmed up....couldn't figure out why it would do this, but anyway I decided to just leave it on all the time...it's now been on for about 5 months, never had so much as a glitch out of it...I normally don't leave my stuff on, but don't really see any harm in doing this, and it has corrected my problem 100%...just a thought.

Best of luck,

BW

This cycling through boot up, does the output go on and off while the level led lights blink on and off?

I know of several guys that leave all their gear on permanently.

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by Bob's Mods

You can easily verify bad solder by banging on the unit when using it and listening for any change in its output. I'm surprized bad solder would get through these days with proper testing and inspection. This is easy stuff to catch at the factory. If you hear changes when giving it a good thwack (not enough to cause it to give up the ghost though) then you've got assembly errors that are actually easily fixed if you know what your doing.

Bob

Ha! I feel like kicking the darned thing. I have tried very gentle taps. Maybe I should give it a more solid rap?

If the soldering is bad would I be able to visually find the dry spots and fix them myself?

[kahuna]

By the way, Kurzweil support has already contacted me trying to help.

This is outstanding service.

[Bob's Mods]

Originally Posted by kahuna

Ha! I feel like kicking the darned thing. I have tried very gentle taps. Maybe I should give it a more solid rap?

If the soldering is bad would I be able to visually find the dry spots and fix them myself?

Don't be afraid to give it a good rap. Just know how far you can go without damaging it. This is one of my master tricks for bringing out intermitants such as bad solder and broken parts. Maybe pick it up put it down hard. The idea is to mechanically shock it without breaking it.

If the volume level changes with the banging, then you "most likely" have a some kind of joint problem or even a broken component problem.

Can you fix it? That depends on the exact location of the problem, your ability to find that location(s) and your soldering skills. Remember, any rework you do while the unit is still in warranty will void your warranty...unless you can do it in a way that they wouldn't be able to detect.

You've got to ask yourself "Do I feel lucky?".

Bob

[kahuna]

Originally Posted by Bob's Mods

Don't be afraid to give it a good rap. Just know how far you can go without damaging it. This is one of my master tricks for bringing out intermitants such as bad solder and broken parts. Maybe pick it up put it down hard. The idea is to mechanically shock it without breaking it.

If the volume level changes with the banging, then you "most likely" have a some kind of joint problem or even a broken component problem.

Can you fix it? That depends on the exact location of the problem, your ability to find that location(s) and your soldering skills. Remember, any rework you do while the unit is still in warranty will void your warranty...unless you can do it in a way that they wouldn't be able to detect.

You've got to ask yourself "Do I feel lucky?".

Bob

My luck is a real mixed bag.

The only reason I am considering fixing it myself is because I live so far from help and I just want to get on with using the thing for making music rather than messing around with faulty electrical stuff.

My wife thinks I should just play guitar and sing around a campfire and forget about all these toys.