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Hi Derron,
I ordered two Orange Rocker-32 amplifiers on May 6, 2018 from an Orange dealer in San Jose, CA - and due to the high failure rate of this model, I’m still waiting to receive these amplifiers - one month later. At this time, June 4th, 2018, no one has been able to tell me if replacement amplifiers have even been ordered. It’s been about two weeks since I returned the first bad amplifier. I returned the second bad amplifier three days ago.
Also, I would like to know if the following is possible:
Is it possible to buy an Orange Rocker-32 without a volume pot that is full of static?
I shot some video demonstrating this obnoxious problem on a brand new $1100 amplifier. Keep in mind that I bought two Rocker-32 amps, both died immediately and subsequently they were returned to the dealer - those amplifiers are not in my possession. The amplifier in this video is the loaner amplifier from the dealer. All three Orange Rocker-32 amps have severe static on the volume knob - oddly just the clean channel.
Here is the video I shot and posted to YouTube. I certainly hope you or someone from Orange will have a look - as I feel this alone is a VERY concerning issue for an amplifier that is new and cost $1100.
https://youtu.be/hNgDO6hRphM?t=50s
https://youtu.be/v5SWzFVdYCw?t=13s
Static on the volume potentiometer on three brand new amplifiers at this price point is very bad indeed - but considering how severe the other problems were (fuses blowing on two brand new amps) - well, I just have to write this letter to Orange.
Based on our conversation yesterday, on June 4, the diagnosis over the phone is that all three amplifiers were subject to shipping damage that caused both the power tubes and preamp tubes to go bad - resulting in symptoms previously described. Bad tube(s) in the preamp - explains the static in the volume potentiometer. The diagnosis also concluded that a likely cause of the HT fuse blowing on the remaining two amplifiers would also be due to bad power tubes.
Why are these amplifiers being sold for such a high price, as new, when they are received with bad tubes? If it's true that some percentage of tube amps regularly die and/or get static on their knobs as result of shipping - and swapping tubes fixes this THEN why didn’t the dealer simply swap these tubes in the first place to save all this trouble?
Is it possible to buy an Orange amp with undamaged tubes? Or, should I find another brand? I’m sorry for being so blunt, but I spent over $2200 one month ago on an amplifiers being sold as brand new, I and still do not have these amps due to the extremely poor quality.
Also, the condition of the amplifiers were terrible - the very first amp I received showed clear evidence of rust. I’ve documented this in a video. The second and third amplifiers shipped to the dealer this month where in less than new condition - one amp had slight damage to the grill cloth and on the other amp something resembling mold or dirt was on the outside of amplifier. The dealer cleaned that off right in front of me as they unboxed these amplifiers.
I like the concept of the Orange Rocker-32 - but based on my experience these amplifiers are so poorly built that they should not be sold. My bandmates are telling me that if I had any sense I’d buy something else. I’m considering Mesa Boogie (I could buy that tomorrow and bring it home on the same day). I don’t think the two replacement Orange amps have been ordered and I spent over $2200 a month ago. I’m still waiting.
I hope Orange takes this seriously.