[SBE] Symetrix... step up to the plate.

[Dan Slentz]

I'd copy Symetrix on this email and let them know that the entire SBE email chain is waiting to hear if they'll step up to the plate and help you.  If not, I'd look at Behringer for a cheap replacement.  Part of the reason for saying this is I had three 528E's in an air conditioned studio with a half blank between them and had a similar issue with two of them.  It was a small Ohio station.  I couldn't afford the repairs and ebayed all the 528E's and replaced with Behringers.  Took a little more work to set-up, but ended up sounding the same on the air (for $99 each!), plus had extra money left over.   Sounds like the Symetrix may have a design flaw.  Certainly I would think that they could do much, much better than that at standing behind their product.  I'd prefer to buy American, but when our own companies won't stand behind their products (at a fair price at least), what's left?

Not all our broadcast gear companies are like this.  Wheatstone/Audio Arts has always been incredible.  Telos/Omia..  great too.   Even Orban (on a very outdated unit) sent me a bag of caps. 

Symetrix?

Dan




________________________________
From: Edwin Bukont <ebukont at msn.com>
To: sbe <sbe at sbe.org>; radio-tech at broadcast.net
Sent: Thursday, July 9, 2009 10:29:59 AM
Subject: [SBE] Symetrix 528E switch help

Please reply off list if possible as I do not seem to be getting the radio-tech list reflector
 
I have five Sym 528E mic processors all with the same issue.
 
Units were mounted one atop the other is a wooden rack in a studio with no HVAC.  The room itself was probably 95-deg and the units were literally tooo hot to touch.
 
All the units exhibit the same issue.  Audio does not flow reliably through the unit.  The problem is the blasted plastic shadow (might be other manufactuer) alternate action push button switches.  They look like shadow anyway. Excersizing them does seem to help, but the audio remains intermittent, operating best if the switch is held firmly in.
 
I think the high heat might have corrupted the conductive lubricant that I understand is contained within the switches.  Is anyone familiar with a lubricant that can be used to restore proper contact operation of the switches? 
 
OR..is this a familiar problem that necessitates component replacement?
 
These units are only 6 yrs old, have seen very little use.  Sym wants $100-240 per unit plus shipping for repair.  I can buy an 8-channel preamp for less than that.
 
Thanks

Edwin Bukont CSRE, DRB, CBNT 
V- 240.417.2475; F- 240.368.1265 
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