Hey guys, Has anyone else replaced a worn encoder on the Director as I know this is a common issue? I’m really trying not to purchase a new unit. If anyone could help me with which part to source it would be a great help. I’ve reached out to Af and MSC unsuccessfully. Thanks in advance.
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Helix Director Encoder
- Thread starter FuZer
- Start date
Last fall my Director encoder started to go while it was still under warranty (lucky!). From what I recall, the guy at MSC told me they were going to replace the encoder but found that it was soldered to the main board. So they ended up giving me an entirely new Director.
If you're decent at desoldering/soldering it's probably still doable (assuming it's through-hole and not surface-mount). But I don't know how you'd source the part if ATF and MSC won't help you out...
If you're decent at desoldering/soldering it's probably still doable (assuming it's through-hole and not surface-mount). But I don't know how you'd source the part if ATF and MSC won't help you out...
Last fall my Director encoder started to go while it was still under warranty (lucky!). From what I recall, the guy at MSC told me they were going to replace the encoder but found that it was soldered to the main board. So they ended up giving me an entirely new Director.
If you're decent at desoldering/soldering it's probably still doable (assuming it's through-hole and not surface-mount). But I don't know how you'd source the part if ATF and MSC won't help you out...
its surface mount, 5 electrical soldered connections and maybe some extra legs for stability, hopefully the conductor isn’t the same rotary encoder and it lasts a fair while longer
they are a bitch to remove, cutting the existing encoder apart is the easiest method, then one you have the contacts as singles you can then unsolder each ‘leg’ and remove all traces from the board and put a new one on
Ooof that sucks. Not impossible, but as you said that would be a pain in the ass to replace.
For how expensive the thing is, it's pretty disappointing to hear that this is a common failure...
After mine was replaced, I changed my settings to 2db volume steps. It's less precise, but I don't have to crank the knob as much (the Director is my main volume control). Hopefully that extends the life of it. I don't want a Conductor as I like having the display (temp and voltage readings are nice) and the tone controls (global bass/treble shelf). The Conductor seems pretty limited.
For how expensive the thing is, it's pretty disappointing to hear that this is a common failure...
After mine was replaced, I changed my settings to 2db volume steps. It's less precise, but I don't have to crank the knob as much (the Director is my main volume control). Hopefully that extends the life of it. I don't want a Conductor as I like having the display (temp and voltage readings are nice) and the tone controls (global bass/treble shelf). The Conductor seems pretty limited.
Justin Zazzi
Wave Shepherd - aka Jazzi
If you take a few close and detailed pictures, especially of any markings or numbers ... then I promise I will stare at them really hard. I might be able to find something that looks similar on Digikey, but no promises!
I know Peter got a small quantity once upon a time from Audiotec Fischer so it may be worth asking them for spares, I don’t know if numbers were present or not
i can certainly split a conductor open and see if there’s evidence of a number on that item, Maybe alps do a better quality replacement perhaps
i can certainly split a conductor open and see if there’s evidence of a number on that item, Maybe alps do a better quality replacement perhaps
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If you take a few close and detailed pictures, especially of any markings or numbers ... then I promise I will stare at them really hard. I might be able to find something that looks similar on Digikey, but no promises!
Did you guys ever find a replacement? I'm getting ready to tear down my Conductor
This is the encoder I bought quite some time ago. IIRC it is an Alps brand that I purchased. I never got around to installing it but it appears that it will work correctly. Part number is high lighted in screen shot.
View attachment 18586
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Ah that's the same I have in my ebay cart EC11J1524413.
I'll prob be in the same spot. won't touch the other one until I need to. I Just got another Conductor and took pics. If anybody's into that.
View attachment 18607View attachment 18608View attachment 18609View attachment 18610View attachment 18611
I'll prob be in the same spot. won't touch the other one until I need to. I Just got another Conductor and took pics. If anybody's into that.
View attachment 18607View attachment 18608View attachment 18609View attachment 18610View attachment 18611
Sorry I’m late to this. The part number for the specific encoder used by Audiotec Fischer is MERPS11-15295. I was unable to source one myself from anywhere in US or Europe. After a few emails to MSC and AF I think they finally got so annoyed by me that they agreed to send me two replacements from Germany at $65 shipping. Between that cost and finding someone locally with the soldering skills required it was almost more trouble than it was worth but I did get it replaced and works like new. If I was doing it again I would just order a new Director off EBay for $300 or so. Yeah, no warranty but I couldn’t justify the $500 I was quoted from the authorized US dealer.