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Cheap DIY XPS power supply replacement for Variax 300/500/600/700


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REVISED POST.

 

I am now working on a smaller cheaper solution and have changed the 3D printed box but I'm leaving the wiring diagram up in the meantime. You will need a "noiseless" power supply to be 100% sure of eliminating background noise. The power board screens noise on some power supplies but not others. I think I got lucky with the supplies I used. The link to the Sweetwater XPS is appreciated for non-techie people but I'm sure it just uses a cheap buck convertor like my solution.

 

Parts -

the power board (it is supplied with supports which can be glued into the box).

a box

a mono and a stereo 1/4" socket (I used 2 stereo sockets which were cheaper to buy on ebay)

a socket to match your DC power supply.

some wire.

.

 

Schematic below. Tested 100% working with a Variax 600 & 700. Definitely not advised for use with any of the later, standard, JTV or Shuriken models. Just to be 100% safe, plug in the power supply after the guitar leads. I've forgotten to do this a couple of times and nothing bad happened but you never know.Pictures and schematic below. Tested 100% working without noise on a Variax 600. Definitely not advised for use with any of the later, standard, JTV or Shuriken models. Just to be 100% safe, plug in the power supply after the guitar leads. I've forgotten to do this a couple of times and nothing bad happened but you never know.

 

 

 

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  • 5 months later...

I have used a similar power module in my XPS Mini replacement, but bear in mind that the Line 6 XPS contains circuitry that prevents the 7 volt power being applied until it detects that the tip of the plug is in position; I'd second your recommendation never to power on until the TRS cable is in place at both ends.

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  • 1 month later...

My xps failed (i thought) so I wanted to build a new one. I did today, but I'm getting the same problem!

 

The problem is that I plug in, the guitar works and after a few seconds, it cuts out and I get a rhythmic buzzing sound (like "zzz-zzz-zzz"). 

 

My voltage regulator has a display showing the output voltage. It shows 7.2v when it idles and when I plug in the guitar and the problem starts, it shows "0000" on the display, blinking.

 

Any thoughts? Im giving the box 9v in.

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On 7/18/2024 at 11:34 PM, psarkissian said:

If it's buzzing like that, it is more than likely a grounding issue somewhere inside. Best to contact

the nearest Line 6 authorized service center in your area. Don't try to self repair it, leave it to those

who have experience with the product.

 

https://line6.com/find/service_center/

 

 

 

I find it weird that it works for a few seconds though.

 

Makes me think the xps was never the problem, but rather the guitar.

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On 7/18/2024 at 10:14 PM, Khalm said:

My xps failed (i thought) so I wanted to build a new one. I did today, but I'm getting the same problem!

 

The problem is that I plug in, the guitar works and after a few seconds, it cuts out and I get a rhythmic buzzing sound (like "zzz-zzz-zzz"). 

 

Does it work OK with battery?

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  • 2 months later...

I was looking for a way to be able to just plug in and practice without having to set up my HD500 pedalboard. Thanks for providing this solution.

This is a fun project and works nicely with my Variax 700 EXCEPT I get constant loud hissing like pink noise even when the volume control knob is turned down. Have I missed something?

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  • 4 months later...

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