Tapco S8 User Manual

Appendix A: Service Information

•  Is the power LED on the front panel illuminated?

•  Is the INPUT LEVEL control turned up?

•  Is the signal source turned up? Make sure the 

signal level from the mixing console (or whatever 

device immediately precedes the studio monitor) 

is high enough to produce sound.

•  If it’s a stereo pair, try switching them around. For 

example, if a left output is presumed dead, switch 

the left and right cords at the monitor end. If the 

problem switches sides, it’s not the monitor. It could 

be a bad cable, or no signal from the mixer.

•  Is the input connector plugged completely into 

the jack? If using a 1/4” TS or TRS plug, make sure it 

is plugged all the way in.

•  Is it loud and distorted? Reduce the signal level at 

the mixer.

•  If possible, listen to the signal source with 

headphones plugged into the preamp stage. If it 

sounds bad there, it’s not the monitor.

•  Too much bass or not enough bass? Move around 

the room and see if the bass response changes. 

It’s possible your listening position coincides with 

a room mode where the low frequencies either 

become exaggerated or nulled. If so, try moving 

the monitors to a different position, or moving your 

listening position.

•  Check the signal cable between the mixer and 

the monitor. Make sure all connections are secure. 

These problems usually produce crackling noises or 

hum.

•  If connecting an unbalanced output to the S•8 

balanced input, make sure the shield is connected 

to the unbalanced ground and to pin 1 of the XLR 

(or the sleeve of the TRS jack).

•  If a CATV cable is connected to the system, try 

disconnecting it. If the hum goes away, call your 

cable carrier to check for proper grounding of the 

cable.

Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled 

out in the Warranty section on page 15.

If you think your TAPCO S•8 has a problem, please 

do everything you can to confi rm it before calling for 

service. Doing so might save you from the deprivation 

of your monitor and the associated suffering.

These may sound obvious to you, but here are 

some things you can check. Read on.

•  Our favorite question: Is it plugged in? 

•  Make sure line cord is securely seated in the line 

cord socket and plugged all the way into the AC 

outlet.

•  Make sure the AC outlet is live (check with a tester 

or lamp).

•  Is the POWER switch in the ON position?

•  Is the power LED on the front panel illuminated? If 

not, make sure the AC outlet is live. If so, refer to 

“No Sound” below.

•  If the power LED is not illuminated, and you are 

certain that the AC outlet is live, it is possible the 

fuse has blown.

 

To remove and replace the fuse:
1. Disconnect the power cord from the IEC socket.
2. Remove the fuse drawer by prying it open with 
a small screwdriver. It will slide all the way out.

3. Remove the fuse and replace it with an 
equivalent-type fuse.

115 VAC unit: 1.6 amp slo-blo (T 1.6 A H/250 V)

230 VAC unit: 800 milliamp slo-blo (T 800 mA H/250 V)

4. Replace the fuse drawer by pushing it all the 
way back into the IEC socket.

 

If two fuses blow in a row, then something is very 

wrong. See the “Repair” section on the next page 

to fi nd out what to do.

FUSE