help needed for Vox Pathfinder

Started by delbro, January 25, 2006, 04:28:42 PM

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delbro

I have a SS Pathfinder (newer one) not tube I know but,......I am using for the sake of keeping peace in the household- while not anywhere near a tube sound I wanted this amp to be all it can be. Besides replacing the speaker

Problem is Vox has not answered my request for a schematic for it- and I am tech challenged

So I was going to upgrade parts

and wondered if anyone has one- opened it up
and could identify which crucial resistors & caps [ values & number given to them in circuit]are in the tone path- circuit and gain section

I was planning on putting different IC chips and experimenting with either OPA2134 or LM833, replacing the current JRC4558DD-- the gain sounds a bit more ragged than I like- which I want to smooth out

and also wondered too about the Q1-4 's (transistors ?) if
they could be replaced with PNP's or NPN's

any and all help is greatly appreciated--


some may wonder why fiddle with a cheap amp-- it is what I have and again wanted to upgrade

 

6stringer

I went around and around looking for any info on that amp.  I finally got hold of a tech at the Vox USA importer and he told me they do not repair these amps but
rather just replace them with they come in under warrenty.  He said they are cheaper to replace than repair.  So, no tech info or schematic is available.
A friend gave me a new one that he blew up by plugging in an Aux speaker with the amp on (Big no no with SS amps).  The power IC was blown, big hole burned right through it, cost $2.79 to replace. Cool amp for $2.79.    While I was looking for info on the amp I talked to several of Vox amp repair guys, most said to trash the components, keep the chassis and cabinet and buit an 18w marshall tube circuit in it. 
Goodluck

delbro

Quote I went around and around looking for any info on that amp

I am on that merry go round  ride myself- I hear ya

sort of ticks me off that the Korg Co- has no value of cust. support
no I am not Brian May & these is not a $3,000 amp- nor I am I buying the limited edition white jaguar Blues Breaker or the  off set JTM 45

but it sort of makes me very leary of buying another Vox anything

I do not want to sink the money in making it a tube amp- I have a champish amp   that maybe someday will come back home,and if i did build one I'd want some real wood in the cab instead of compressed saw dust

-- but until then
I figure  why not? I have found some great electro caps- Black gates & muse series- nice tone caps-
and holco resistors
again I can sink a little into it and be very happy having a great little SS amp

being that I have to keep practicing  just a hair above voice level it works out great for me because I can control the gain  & volume

so it is  sort of a mutt, a rescue mission for this lil pup

I appreciate the views to this inquiry
and again if anyone knows the crucial resistors & caps in the circuit please share this info

I am tech challenged so  mapping the board is out of my realm at this point

I have a guy at a CB shop who is going to replace the parts on the board  for me

thanks again guys