Thermionic Deluxe - Channel A voltage issue, audio signal lost on IC2.

socialruins

New member
Hi everybody, I recently joined the forum and could use some help. I typically fly solo but this thermionic deluxe pedal is giving me a real headache.
I initially had it boxed and fired up, playing with the settings etc. Then, hit the channel switch. Nothing.
Channel B worked, Channel A was dead. So I had to unbox and start poking around. Unfortunately having to pull all channel B pots so I could have a look.
Here is some measurements I took:
IC1, IC3A, IC4A, IC2B, IC3B and IC4B shows pins 1,2,3 at 4.46V, pin 4 -8.81V, pin 5,6,7 4.49V, pin 8 8.5V.

IC2A if I understand correctly is the first gain stage of the signal and that's where it falls apart.
Pin 1 and 2 4.46V, pin 3 4.31V, pin 4 -8.81V, pin 5 4.46V, pin 6 -8.81V, pin 7 7.78V, pin 8 8.5V.
L1A stays on until turning gain all the way down.
Pins 1,2,3 and 5 pass audio when using a probe but IC2A.2 doesn't continue to IC3A.2 pin 6.
There is voltage of 7.78V going into the GAIN pot, L1A and L2A, etc.

My skill level stops here, I tried reflowing all solder joints, pulled and rebuilt the path between pin 6 & 7 with new components, replaced IC socket to check for shorts, and swapped the TL072 a dozen times. The yellow box caps are also replacements as I tried to find failed parts in the path. Hopefully more experienced eyes can point something out or could guide me to a spot on the board I need to look closer at.

Thanks for your help!

IMG_0275.jpeg IMG_0276.jpeg
 
If the signal going into IC2A sounds like hot garbage then your bias may be off. I had this happen to my Thermionic Deluxe and found that I'd initially installed IC1 upside down and managed to cook it before flipping it round. My bias was shot until I replaced IC1 then it thing sung like a two channel platinum angel. MAYBE the same is happening for you. Check my posts about this here and best of luck!
 
If the signal going into IC2A sounds like hot garbage then your bias may be off. I had this happen to my Thermionic Deluxe and found that I'd initially installed IC1 upside down and managed to cook it before flipping it round. My bias was shot until I replaced IC1 then it thing sung like a two channel platinum angel. MAYBE the same is happening for you. Check my posts about this here and best of luck!
Thanks! I found this post before signing up and it really made me confident that I was close to solving it. Unfortunately all voltages from IC1 look good, voltage paths to other ICs look good.
The audio sounds good and clear with varying gain levels between pins 1-5 but 6 and 7 die off. That gain loop is killing me.
At this point I’m starting to question the quality of the resistors nearby. R9 potentially. But I’m weary of pulling parts until I know for sure. They still test out at 22k on the soldered side too.
What’s weird is that it seems to die right between the output of IC2A.2 and the IC3A input. The IC3A side has 4.5V… lol
Even pulling the op amp from the socket I get my 8V on pin 8 and nothing on 7 so I would think those pins aren’t shorting out on the board.
 
Back
Top