Delta 44 Phantom Power problem...maybe time for a new one?

I have a Delta 44 setup (Omni I/O, I believe its called) using an AMD 1GHZ box (upgrading soon) using Sonar 3 studio. Had nothing but great success over the last couple of years using this setup.

All of the sudden my Phantom power *appears* to be on the blink, and I have perhaps lost XLR capability on both input channels. Using the XLR input, the left input has a low level hum, but will register a signal at least, while the right input will not register any level. Dead.

However, when using the 1/4 inch plugs attached to the POD, and used with Bass and other instruments, it appears to be just fine. Records without any issues. Any ideas? Has this unit just lived out its usefullness? Is it worth fixing?

If it is toast, this is of course a great opportunity to move up in the world. While I haven't researched replacement units as of yet, I guess I would love to hear any recommendations for an upgrade from the Delta 44. The local GC guy has been trying to sell me a Presonus firepod, but that will require a DAW upgrade, which I don't mind TOO much. Any thoughts? My experience in the DAW world is solely with the Delta 44.

TIA,

Dono in Frisco

yes, no firewire port --- and I'm ready to move to a 64. It appeared that the specs called for a bit high powered PC.

Dono

ORIGINAL: NYSR

DOn't those things have a lifetime warranty?

Limited lifetime warranty. A call to m-Audio confirmed that they weren't going to fix it for free. At this point I'm inclined to think it would cost $100.00 to 150.00 to fix a four year old box --- I'm not sure that is a good investment compared with the advancements of the past four years. So, I think I'll switch my focus to a new unit!

Dono

The Delta44 doesn't have phantom power.

Dono,

Since your 1/4" inputs still work fine, my suggestion would be to consider a nice outboard mic preamp as an upgrade. There are alot of preamp threads - you can do a quick search. At the $500 US pricepoint, the Grace 101 (singe ch) and the RNP (dual ch) both get alot of good comments, and may bring the clarity/complexity/depth of your tracks to a new level. FWIW, I think the preamp investment would yield a more noticeable improvement (sound quality-wise) than a better converter box with built-in preamp(s).

Rigel

ORIGINAL: DonM

Viz;

I have a delta 44 / but can't find any info on the I/O box that has phantom and xlr's

enlighten me.....

-D

The Delta44 comes with a default Break Out Box that has 4in/4out 1/4" connections and that wont have Phantom power, you need to connect it to a PreAmp or an analogue mixer that can supply the phantom power to record Mics like the Nova. However though, M-Audio also manufactures the OMNI !/O , which is also a BreakOUt box {means it connects to the PCI card installed inside your PC} and this Box is more sophisticated. It has Midi In/Out, 2 Mic Preamps with phantom power included, a headphones or two outputs also maybe, im not sure. So, it basically cuts down the necessity to buy a full fledged Analogue Mixer. I, though have a Mixer as i told above, it has built-in 24but effects and also EQ settings for the Inputs that precluded me to buy the OMNI.

I dont know the case of the original poster. Dono, did your Delta card come along with OMNI I/O box ?

Yes, my Delta 44 came with the Omni I/O breakout box. However, since I posted this question I have talked with an electronics repair place in Dallas and talked with m-audio tech support, resulting in purchasing a Presonus Firepod yesterday. Install went fine, with a few minor issues. Anyway, thanks much for everyone's assistance!

Dono