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Behringer quality/reliability


fridaynightsmoke

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To dig up old corpses..

Now, I'm a sucker for value, so when I first set up the studio just over a year ago I bought some Behringer gear, a C1 mic and a XENYX 1204FX mixer.

The 'external' build quality of both is good, but the mic started buzzing at 9 months old, and on saturday (1 year and 2 weeks old) the PSU in the mixer died.

When I opened up both of the items, although the external build, the casing and the 'look and feel' was good, the internal quality of the electronics was only adequate. I have however seen far worse, the worst quality electronics was in fact a VERY expensive Denon CD player (not mine).

I know and appreciate that Behringer have a place in the market and certainly the price helped me to set up for the first time, but overall is the value still there if the gear fails 2 weeks out of warranty?

Has anyone else had any problems, or is all your Behringer gear still going strong?

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Hi Fridaynight, what sort of PSU does it have?

Is it a proper transformer and regulator, or is it one of those switch mode supplies?

 

It's a switchmode of Behringer design (not off-the-shelf).

100-240v AC in; +48v, +12v, +5v, +15v, -15v out (12v not used in this mixer).

Either the switching chip (TOP245Y) or the optocoupler has gone (I think), not getting any useful voltage on any of the outputs, which are all on seperate transformer secondaries.

The +5v line has its own regulator, the +48v is regulated with discrete components and the +15v line acts as feedback for the remaining lines which are not individually regulated.

 

There's nothing wrong in principle with switchmode supplies, they are usually more effecient and smaller than 'ordinary' linear PSUs, and when well designed have less problematic ripple. You won't however beat a great big transformer for reliability.

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I totally agree with everything you say!

 

I hate the interference that switched mode supplies cause, being an old fashioned AM radio listener ;-)

 

Oh, you can get a new one for £100 by the way

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bargain-Behringer-XENYX-1204FX-Premium-Mixer_W0QQitemZ350291031393QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mixers?hash=item518ef8f561

If I have helped you with a Freebie- please be kind enough to add a link from your own site or blog to mine- thanks! http://arthurburton.net

 

Thank You!

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I hate the interference that switched mode supplies cause, being an old fashioned AM radio listener ;-)

There is that, recently I got a shortwave radio basically to see what was on it. When any of the many devices in my flat with switchmode PSUs in them are switched on, or any of the compact fluorescent lights, nothing except interference!

The main compact fluorescent light in my living room knocks out Radio 5 on LW as well.

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Don't you mean Radio 4?

 

Yeah, I used to listen to shortwave a lot, in fact I was quite a serious anorak really, but haven't bothered lately. Strange thing is I have e nearly top of the range Drake Rceiver, really nice too- and I collect old Valve wooden cased radios.... never liked Bakelite personally.

 

I am an AM man deep down inside.

If I have helped you with a Freebie- please be kind enough to add a link from your own site or blog to mine- thanks! http://arthurburton.net

 

Thank You!

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Yeah mic compressors are well worth having!

Makes such a difference to the actual mic. punchiness when doing live especially!

 

Looks a definate grade or three above the Behringer!

 

I shouldn't entice, being so near to Xmas and all ;-) LOVL!!!

If I have helped you with a Freebie- please be kind enough to add a link from your own site or blog to mine- thanks! http://arthurburton.net

 

Thank You!

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Indeed I did, sir! I clearly haven't had enough coffee today..

 

Has anybody used one of these: http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR286859

(Yamaha MG124CX)? Are they any good?

I do like the idea of built-in compressors in the mic inputs, and 4 stereo channels...

*examines bank account*

 

I can vouch for you on that mixer. That was my most recent purchase, though I paid alot more for it >:| However, it's a great mixer! Especially for that price...lol

 

 

-JB

Jon Bova

 

"Successful people have libraries. The rest have big screen TVs. - Jim Rohn"

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