Archon Loop Mod

[Davey]

.

 

[Davey]

.

 

[Davey]

.

 

[bodia]

Rock star! Thanks for posting

 

[DISTORT6]

This should be pinned.

 

[shinksma]

Yes, please pin this! I don't use the effects loop on my Archon very much, but part of that lack of interest stems from just a little too much noise in the loop, unless using certain studio-type rack mount units (which seem to have a different impedance, and match the amp better). I need to make this mod, and I am comfortable doing so (I need to get a capacitor discharge stick, and maybe upgrade my ancient Radio Shack soldering iron kit), so maybe one day I will get around to getting it done.

EDIT: anybody recommend a particular type or brand of capacitor discharge stick? If I'm gonna spend $20 or so, may as well get the right one...

 

[bodia]

This should be pinned.

Yes, please pin this! I don't use the effects loop on my Archon very much, but part of that lack of interest stems from just a little too much noise in the loop, unless using certain studio-type rack mount units (which seem to have a different impedance, and match the amp better). I need to make this mod, and I am comfortable doing so (I need to get a capacitor discharge stick, and maybe upgrade my ancient Radio Shack soldering iron kit), so maybe one day I will get around to getting it done.

EDIT: anybody recommend a particular type or brand of capacitor discharge stick? If I'm gonna spend $20 or so, may as well get the right one...

I PM'd Jamie to see if he would pin it

 

[DISTORT6]

I PM'd Jamie to see if he would pin it

It’s a very common question around here.

 

[bodia]

It’s a very common question around here.

Sure is

 

[DISTORT6]

Thank you, Jamie.

 

[bodia]

Thank you, Jamie.

Ditto! @JMintzer

 

[Davey]

Ditto! @JMintzer

Thanks @bodia for doing that. and Thanks to @JMintzer

 

[bodia]

Thanks @bodia for doing that. and Thanks to @JMintzer

You’re welcome!

 

[boardn10]

Thanks for posting. I have a 2019 and the loop has been my only complaint. I may show this to my tech!

I wish they had this corrected in the build or included send and return levels on the amp.

 

[boardn10]

This is my favorite amp to date. For the loop, I run an Ebtech hum eliminator and it's awesome. Silent now and I ditched my ISP noise gate.

 

[Goran Lorencin]

Thanks man for the detailed presentation, did not know the Archon also had FX loop issues, could you draw parallels to the MT15 issues?

I must say I am a bit disappointed to hear that, it looks like PRS made quite a few amps with FX loop issues but still went to put them on the market. Is that bad QC, bad design or does that happen to any other manufacturer?

I wish someone did this for the MT15!!!

 

[Davey]

Thanks man for the detailed presentation, did not know the Archon also had FX loop issues, could you draw parallels to the MT15 issues?

I must say I am a bit disappointed to hear that, it looks like PRS made quite a few amps with FX loop issues but still went to put them on the market. Is that bad QC, bad design or does that happen to any other manufacturer?

I wish someone did this for the MT15!!!

Thank you.
You might have missed it in my first post that it is not an issue with the Archon effects loop. The issue is in some particular pedals that cause the background noise.
It's not bad QC or design, the loop itself is fine and most don't have a problem with the loop unless a specific pedal they have added in the loop causes an issue.
To help out, PRS decided to revise the send and return levels to help with noisy pedals.

Remember, a small amount of noise from pedals is normal as is some noise from gain stages.

I cant speak to the MT15 as I dont own one.
Hope this helps.

 

[Goran Lorencin]

Ok, I think I understand, but please define background noise, is it always present when the pedal is ON, no matter if you have the tuner ON and there is no signal from the guitar passing trough? Cause I have this issue with the Supermoon reverb pedal in 4 cable method, that just by turning it ON, having it in the loop, without and signal going trough it, it induces quite a noticeable amount of noise/hiss/high pitch squeel and it could be it is not compatible with the MT15, it seem like it is an electronic issue as it comes it even though I have a Sentry noise gate in the chain. I don't know any more, should have another MT15 to A/B test ... I just love the sound of the pedal, but hate the noise even more. But I'm glad you found a solution, and I will keep on searching for mine.

 

[boardn10]

For my Archon 100, it didn't matter what was in the loop, even just a patch cable. I had too much noise.
I ended using an Ebtech hum reduction unit and it's been amazing. Everything is now dead silent.i just sit it on top of thr head and it's the last thing before the loop return.

 

[Goran Lorencin]

For my Archon 100, it didn't matter what was in the loop, even just a patch cable. I had too much noise.
I ended using an Ebtech hum reduction unit and it's been amazing. Everything is now dead silent.i just sit it on top of thr head and it's the last thing before the loop return.

So just a hum eliminator huh? Been looking around and they're quite cheap in the US if you can find an Ebtech, here in the EU they charge 200-250 eur for a Morley stereo hum eliminator (Ebtech nowhere to be found, sold out), but I think that is a crazy price for such a simple device and saw mixed reviews, some say it works like a charm and others that it does not and it only changes the frequency of the hum. So ... I don't know, will try to find someone who's got one and try it. But I think that my issues are not that severe as yours were. Thanks for sharing.