Paul McGowan said Some of the beta units had binding posts that did not meet spec, you're right. We don't know how many, though we suspect only a small few of the betas. If yours are working fine then yours did meet spec. You'd know it if they didn't. They became obvious quickly.My binding posts failed instantly I could not tighten them at all - they are rotating inside.
BHK saidWoot, not sure if your comment (post #18) was directed at me, but I totally agree the Pin Expander has nothing to do with binding posts. Regardless, the quote from Bascom above is what I was referring to. The discussion on Pin Expanders started with Stevem2 in Post #10, not sure why he mentioned it but that's where I'm coming from.Oh Boy, those output terminals. I have the first produced beta BHK 250 and several of my terminals had stripped early on. My first solution was to use something like Monster Cable Exterminators to accept spade lugs and insert the Exterminator into the output terminals banana plug holes. In my case, since I am not b-wiring, I was lucky to have two good terminals for hot and ground in each channel. Although the Exterminator type of device works, it is still one more interface between the speaker cable and the actual output terminal. In your amp, the one terminal that all of it turns, you might get pliers around the part closest to the chassis and with a wrench on the part that is supposed to turn, break it loose.
I only mentioned the pin expanders because that problem was limited to very early beta units and thus suggested my beta unit was an early model. The binding post problem also appears to be limited to very early beta units, although not necessarily the same ones. That comment led other beta owners to ask what the pin expanders were about.
Paul, woot also mentioned something about relay changes when he sent his unit back for the binding posts. Any comments on what that was about?
Any news or more information on that? Anybody?
OK, let’s summarize:
o- Not all beta units are the same
o- Not all beta packages are the same
o- Some beta units have “bad” binding posts
o- Some beta units have “bad” relays
o- Some beta units must go back to get repaired
My situation:
o- Unit # PWA-A1-5D0005
o- I did not receive either spare tubes or pin expander
o- The bInding posts are rotating inside (the “visible” threads look OK)
Questions:
o- Do I need to send the amp back to PSA?
o- Is there a way to tighten the binding posts somehow?
o- Is “easy stripping” possible if the posts are not replaced?
o- Should the relays (anything else?) be replaced?
Alekz, why don’t you call customer service, they are the most helpful, knowledgable people, and can look up your serial numbers.
They will be able to answer all of your questions, and recommend a course of action. If it turns out you just need to tighten your connections, they may be able to talk you through it, or they will have the amp returned, so it can be brought up to current specs.
If memory serves me correct (doesn’t always) Alekz is in Europe, so shipping back is painful.
Pmotz, I didn’t think so because he had a beta unit, and I thought they were only shipped to testers in the USA.
Maybe he was an exception. But then his dealer should be able to help him, and calling or emailing customer service, would still be able to answer his questions.
Yep, I’m in Europe, what mean hundreds of dollars for the shipping and another hundred to get it back without taxes (FedEx RMA process). I do not think any local dealers can help, because I’ve got a beta unit bought directly from PSA.
Most likely calling the PSA customer service is a best idea, indeed. I was thinking that if it’s possible to fix the posts at home AND there is no need to replace the relays, the discussion here might help others in a similar situation. Anyway, composing an email to the support team. Let’s see what happens…
If there are things (binding posts, relays) that PSA acknowledges need to be fixed on your beta unit, maybe they would work out some arrangement with a dealer in your area. Since you didn’t buy it from the dealer you can’t just walk in and expect them to help you. But if PSA customer service contacted them, maybe reimbursed them for their time or something, that might be a way to avoid all the costs and downtime of shipping back to Boulder.