Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

Orpheus · #1 (**permalink**) 02-16-2003, 11:32 PM

yeah, it has nothing to do with headphones, but you guys seem to have experience with everything... so....

i recently bought a used Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth (model 205). and it has a BIG problem... the focusing control is not working in the right range. for instance, if i were to be listening to the channel 91.5MHz on my Yamaha TX-950 tuner, i would have to set the 205 to about 95-96MHz. so, in other words, it's off by about 4-5MHz. and that is a terrible problem if you want to listen to say, KROQ, which is at 106.7MHz... cause the knob doesn't go above 108MHz, so i can't even use the 205 with that station!

also, another problem is that the gain control is labeled wrong too. it has the 0db position at about 10:00. however, the actualy 0db position is at 12:00. now, this might suggest that the unit is capable of more boost, but somehow the knob or the circuitry it's associated with isn't going high enough.

i dunno....

the guy i bought this from said he sold 2 other units previous to mine, and both had the same problems. so, it seems they're all like this......

you guys have experience with this signal amp?

my equipment: Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna, Yamaha TX-950 tuner, Magnum Dynalab 205 Signal Sleuth

thanks,
dean

Tuberoller · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2003, 01:14 AM

Man,I feel bad that I didn't post a warning about this product earlier.These are junk.They do not work as advertised at all and seem to perform well in very limited applications.In addition to the gain being inaccurate I had the same problems with focusing.I was able to return it fo a refund.I hope you can do the same.Please try the Fanfare tube antennas.They work much better and the cheap antenna amps from Radio Shack will do the trick in areas where reception is poor or stations are weak.

Orpheus · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2003, 01:18 AM

oh, so your focusing was off by about 4-5MHz too? or to a smaller extent? same with the gain?--about 2:00 off?

yeah, i think i have an older model cause the case is full size, and even heavier than my tuner itself!--i opened it up, and the circuit board was the size of an index card!!! i was so surprised...... frickin' parts only took up 1/10th the area of the case!!!

anyway... people still swear by these things.... anyone else have the same problem?

dean