1

MU524 Vari-Mu Tube Compressor / Re: MU524 is noisy

« Last post by OttoWei on September 03, 2026, 11:00:25 AM »

Thanks for the reply. I just found some time to continue troubleshooting the problem.

• U2 is not hot at all.
• U1 and U4 are warm, but not excessively so — around 40–45 °C, estimated by touch.
• I can't find any other hot components.

Interesting to see that egelmett has a similar issue. Have you made any progress with your unit?
To be honest, I think I'm out of my depth here. If you don't have any other suggestions, I probably need to send this to your service department.

2

MP573 Microphone preamplifier / Re: MP573 Build - No Output with XLR Connector

« Last post by morast on September 03, 2026, 10:23:54 AM »

Hi,

i figured it might be the relais, i'll try to (gently) replace them. 

I will replace C2 as well to be of the same type as C3.

Thanks & kind regards,
Herbert

3

MP573 Microphone preamplifier / Re: MP573 Build - No Output with XLR Connector

« Last post by JPK on September 02, 2026, 05:35:48 PM »

The burnt relay is very probably what causes the DI/Mic issue.
You need to replace it.
Mouser/Digikey: TQ2-24V
TME : AZ850-24

Sorry for the missing cap. If you have an other one, you could also replace C2. C2 and C3 must be similar for the best CMRR.

4

MP573 Microphone preamplifier / MP573 Build - No Output with XLR Connector

« Last post by morast on August 31, 2026, 01:35:06 PM »

Hi,

i finished my 2nd MP573 build and I'm having troubles getting it to work & would need some advice / guidance.


When the DI board is inserted, JMP3 removed, everything works fine. However, with no DI board, JMP3 on + Mic/Signal via XLR, there is no output.

Tests / measurements I did so far:

DC Values A-K all have the correct voltage.

AC Values with multimeter on 50hz Sine wave via XLR Input:
* In+ to In- : 0,6V
* C2 to C3: 0,6V
* TP2 to T1 Pin 7: 0V

Hints:
* The kit was missing C3, which i then substitutet with a ceramic cap "n47" 100V. (see attached pic).


* RLY1 edge got burnt (see attached pic2). I don't remember if it was from soldering iron (unlikely) or due to faulty connection...




Thanks for you support & cheers from Austria

5

LA502 Optical Compressor / Re: V- Rail returns low

« Last post by JPK on August 25, 2026, 06:53:28 PM »

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MP512 Microphone preamplifier / Re: Clipping/distorting noise on High Z input

« Last post by JPK on August 25, 2026, 06:52:18 PM »

Your Q2 may be damaged, try replacing it.

7

LA502 Optical Compressor / Re: V- Rail returns low

« Last post by Namy on August 25, 2026, 12:47:05 AM »

SOLVED:

Nevermind! I took a pause from examining the LA 502, and instead took a closer look at the XT 500. I noticed a bunch of starved connectors and reflowed most of the solder, and lo and behold the LA502 now returns with +- 16v on the respective rails!

sometimes the error isn’t the item being tested, but your tools, folks!

Hopefully that’s the only issue I run into, but I’ll start a new thread if I encounter problems during the rest of setup. 

8

MP512 Microphone preamplifier / Re: Clipping/distorting noise on High Z input

« Last post by hanssongt on August 24, 2026, 10:15:24 AM »

Looks like the components are inte right place and soldered correctly. Voltage on R46 top pin measured to 7.7V.

What do you think about the measurements on R48? That's whats has been off so far.

Thanks,
Tobias 

9

LA502 Optical Compressor / Re: V- Rail returns low

« Last post by Namy on August 23, 2026, 07:25:55 PM »

Ah! Makes much more sense. Was scratching my head trying to figure out what I wasn’t understanding about the schematic!

So, I tested the v- test pin to pin 14 (-16v) on the XT500, as well as the 502’s card slot. Both registered 1 ohm. (Well, the xt500 pin has an issue I need to fix, but tested from another point on it).

If I’m reading the schematic right, these are the two points on either side of r35, so should tell me if anything is funky with that resistor or its connectivity. 

What should I check next?

10

LA502 Optical Compressor / Re: V- Rail returns low

« Last post by JPK on August 22, 2026, 04:52:17 PM »

Sorry !!! I mean't R35, not R39.
Double check R35. 
Check you didn't break the via which connect the bottom and top pads together. In particular on the bottom pin of R35 (near R17).