Failed analog audio outs on at least two different units

I had an Akai Force (mpc software with an ableton like 8x8 grid) I bought used and before the 45 day return period was done it failed so I returned it and bought an X which is on the way.

Rear outs didn’t work, front headphone didn’t work either. Reset device, took out SSD, fresh new project, open a factory project, nothing worked. Could only hear a faint cracking noise, even from headphone Jack when the headphone volume was turned all the way down which is weird. My Key 37 which I’ve had longer never had this problem and connects to the same outboard gear.

Now I see a listing on Reverb where the seller is selling an MPC with the same problem at a big discount. I’ve never read of this before but have only been in Akai World for a few months. Is this a thing to worry about?

(Here’s the other person’s description)

**** IN SUMMARY, IT IS TECHNICALLY FULLY FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT FOR THE INTERNAL AUDIO EITHER RANDOMLY DISCONNECTING OR NOT CONNECTING AT ALL IN WHICH IF YOU USE AN EXTERNAL USB AUDIO DEVICE IT WORKS FINE BUT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE HEADPHONE, MAIN OR OTHER OUTPUTS UNTIL THE INTERNAL AUDIO PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THIS IS WHY IT'S BEING SOLD FOR REPAIR OR PARTS. ****

I could be wrong, but I believe this is caused by people hot swapping audio cables while the phantom power is active on the unit. This can blow out and damage the audio card in the MPC or Force. Key 36 doesn't have phantom power. You have to be cautious when using the phantom power, a lot of people aren't paying attention. Pretty sure there are several warnings in the manual about this.

Well crap that could have been it. Had phantom on for a condenser for a while. Never a problem on my other gear but that probably didn’t have an audio card/chip inline with the jacks.

Yep turns out this is common on at least the Force after more research. Part is inexpensive but small and requires some skill to replace. Alternate solution is of course the USB audio out to an interface, losing the headphone jack up front and the ability to easily fade between cue mix and main. I never tested if the part failing also kills the analog inputs to the unit which would suck even more. Given that the X has essentially the same Gen 1 internals it probably has the same vulnerability.

JethroJethro wrote:Yep turns out this is common on at least the Force after more research. Part is inexpensive but small and requires some skill to replace. Alternate solution is of course the USB audio out to an interface, losing the headphone jack up front and the ability to easily fade between cue mix and main. I never tested if the part failing also kills the analog inputs to the unit which would suck even more. Given that the X has essentially the same Gen 1 internals it probably has the same vulnerability.

Sorry for your problems, I forgot about this. I kept a piece of tape over that switch for years now & my Force is still good.