Mackie Onyx 400F Reliability Issues

[Rad]

Hello Mackie users,

Anyone else having this problem?
Several months after I started using my 400F one of the headphone pots got scratchy and now the second one seems to be on the way.

Now potentiometers sometimes do this kind of stuff, but I wasn't expecting this to happen so soon. (Everyone agrees that sound from these units is quite good for their class, but I'm becoming increasinly suspicious of physical reliability down the road, esp. in view of some folks complaining loudly from reliability on other forums.)

So I'm facing a dilemma about what to do:

1) find an authorized Mackie repair center and send them the unit, cough up some $$$ (unclear how much yet), have the pot replaced and if other pots develop the same problem over time, repeat this procedure as needed.
Cons: possibly expensive, plus I think shipping is pretty bad for these units. I've seen how some shipping companies toss packages around in their warehouses, and thought, man, good I'm not shipping a piece of gear.

2) Wait for all pots to go bad one by one, then take the unit outside my house, smash it with a giant hammer and replace it with something else which will presumably be more reliable. Pros: NEW GEAR!!! :bounce: Cons: spend bucks _again_ for something that should have lasted at least a few years....

P.S. Here's where I think Mackie's offshore manufacturing really fired back at them. These units are well designed with decent components, and I bet if they had better quality control over there they'd be having a lot fewer problems! (Just a personal opinion though)

[DAS]

Interesting. After some initial trouble early on we haven't seen that many problems with them. Only two repairs this year, and one of those was obvious shipping damage.

It might be worth your time to learn how to replace the pots. I haven't been inside of one of these, but with most gear it's not that hard if you know how to solder. Just about every piece of gear I have needs basic attention like this from time to time.

[Rad]

Good advice, I know how to solder. I guess I'd have to find out the part number for the pot and a seller who'd be willing to sell me just a few of those (not in bulk).
I do believe my unit is from the early series, but the manufacturing date 0M8603 on the top panel doesn't tell me very much.

[DAS]

If you can't get them from Mackie for some reason then try our parts department. I'm pretty sure they could get and sell you those pots. It might take a while (Mackie doesn't always have stock on hand), but we should be able to do it.

[Rad]

Thanks! Is there a separate phone number for this parts dept, or can I just call the main Sweetwater number and ask the receptionist to redirect me?

I think this is probably the best solution, because I'd hate to ship the unit across half the US for something so small. As you indicate, shipping damage happens from time to time and I'd hate to risk the unit now that it's also out of warranty.

[DAS]

You can just ask or punch in extension 6400 to get to service. If you have a sales person you work with here he should be able to get you in contact as well.