Spark Audio Dropping Out For 10-20 Seconds Every Few Minutes
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Hi all, title speaks for itself really. Spark has been working fine since I got it last year, but the last couple months its developed this issue where all audio just cuts out for up to 20 seconds roughly. I'll be jamming along to some songs and it just cuts. Audio tracks are still playing as usual behind it. Bluetooth connection seems to be fine. Lights are still on the Spark top panel.
Any ideas? I've tried a factory reset and shouting at it, neither of those have worked.
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@tom-brennan i have this too now. All audio cuts out including if i'm using BT, AUX in or USB audio.
ALL as in everything including the guitar in.
Then it's fine for about 5 minutes, then cuts out again.is this a PSU issue ? How do i diagnose a fix ?
edit: i raised a support ticket with PG as it's pretty much unusable now.
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To me, Tom’s problem sounds like an intermittent thermal issue with a component in the Guitar Input Circuit of the board. This is a common ‘component infant mortality’ failure with commercial circuit boards. It could also be an issue with the input jack to the Spark 40 or the guitar, or the cable itself; easy to identify by swapping out cables and jiggling connectors at each input.
I would think a problem with the PSU itself (the box on the power cord) would cut power to everything in the Spark, including Tom’s audio track.
Your issue could well be the PSU because everything cuts out. PSU failure was a common problem discussed on the forum a while ago. You should be able to check the power cord with a voltmeter.
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@dan-lawrence Dan, the lights are still on same as @Tom-Brennan. Just all sources of input stop same as Tom.
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no response from PG yet apart from getting a ticket no.
interestingly if i use the headphone jack the audio doesn't cut out. -
along with the headphone jack still working i can also report that the usb interface works as an input into my Mac so i can use it in Bias FX2, AmpliTube etc.
That will keep me going until i get traction on my support ticket #347309 <<--- Positive Grid are you reading this ?Unfortunately i won't be buying another Spark40 due to my experience and the amount of posts on here regarding hardware issues unless someone can assure me that the quality control has improved $USD299 == $NZD600 once GST etc is applied and i can't afford to drop another $600 on something that i might get 1 year out of. I still have a Roland Jazz Chorus 50 from 1983 that i bought brand new and that's still going fine.
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The Amp chip in the Spark is a TPA3116D2 https://www.ti.com/lit/gpn/tpa3116d2
It's under the heat sink. A friend has suggested cutting the trace that allows auto reset (which is what's happening). I'll wait to hear back from Positive Grid before i do anything drastic like that though !!
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@peter-moore350 I wonder if PG would sell you the circuit board at cost instead of you having to pay to ship the thing back and wait for it to get fixed and shipped back. Doesn't seem like it would be hard to swap out. I'm guessing they wouldn't want to do that, but might be worth asking.
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@cbrandst yeah they still havent responded apart from the email giving me a support ticket number.
i'd be ok with buying a replacement circuit board at a decent price, but yeah i won't be buying another full unit from them sadly. I had hoped that this would last for at least a few years and not the 14-15months or so. May 2020 i got mine i think.
Right now i'm using the headphones and can use it on my Mac if i want to do that (via usb into whatever software i have).
I've bought a new 50W valve/tube head and separate 2x12 speaker cabinet that i get on the 25th so i'm gonna check the impedance out of the headphone jack and see if i can pump that into the clean channel of the 50W head !! Watch this space on the 25th of January and i'll update here if PG contact me.
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i just double-checked - i placed my order in July 2020.
According to a note on the order "The warranty of Spark Amp expiry date on Aug 06 ,2022"So it's under warranty - woohoo !!
