My Acoustic Image Clarus 1R Is Getting Sick

**Campos** · 12-02-2025, 11:41 PM

Dear fellow forum members,
I’m writing from the other side of the world, playing guitar with my old Acoustic Image Clarus 1R, which I bought from our dear colleague Skip Ellis back in 2017. At the time, Rick Jones told me the amplifier had been built sometime between 2002 and 2003.
When I power on the amp, a loud noise kicks in and lasts for about 30 seconds. After that, it completely disappears and the amp works perfectly, just like it always has.
I really love this amplifier — I use it for both guitar and bass, and it has always been a fantastic and reliable piece of gear for me.
After doing some quick research, it seems pretty clear that it may need power supply maintenance, most likely replacing aging capacitors.
Sadly, the much-loved Rick Jones — with whom I exchanged several emails over the years — has passed away, and with him, Acoustic Image as a company.
I’d like to ask the folks here if anyone has experienced something similar. I read recently here on the forum that the power supply used in these amps is no longer manufactured, which makes things more complicated.
I also searched online for a service manual — which would definitely help a qualified tech do the repair safely — but I haven’t been able to find one.
So, with that said, does anyone have any suggestions for this fellow player reaching out for help?
Thank you very much!

**Woody Sound** · 12-03-2025, 12:21 AM

Maybe check with Gollihur Music. The are a bass gear dealer who were a major AI dealer. They might know something or have a suggestion. And they have a few AI legacy things in stock. (Amp covers, etc.)

Gollihur Music

**MarkL** · 12-03-2025, 12:42 AM

Try emailing the address on AI's website. Despite it going to Rick's address, someone is likely to pick it up and may be able to help. An issue came up with my Clarus 2R a couple of years ago, and they suggested a solution that solved the problem.

**Cunamara** · 12-03-2025, 01:30 AM

I had some issue like that with my 2R; I contacted Rick who suggested taking the cover off and hitting the pots and jacks and the power switch with DeOxit contact cleaner. It did seem to solve the problem.

**MarkL** · 12-03-2025, 09:31 AM

My issue was also solved by hitting the jacks with DeOxit. OP's problem seems different. If reaching out to the AI people who are still around doesn't solve the problem it might be worth trying to find a tech that knows what they are doing with Class D amps. If the power source is failing and identical power sources are no longer being manufactured, a tech may be able to source one that is still around or a comparable one that work. There may be also used 1Rs on the used market that don't work for other reasons but can be cannibalized for a working power source.

**sgosnell** · 12-03-2025, 11:42 AM

You can try having a plug in the input jack when you turn the amp on. I've had similar issues, off and on, with my Clarus 1 over the years. Having a plug in the input jack seems to stop the noise.

**Campos** · 12-03-2025, 08:11 PM

Thank you very much for all the suggestions, everyone.
Rick’s son, Chris, replied to my email and, after watching the video, he concluded that the problem was with the input jacks. A basic cleaning with contact cleaner solved it! Exactly as many of you here on the forum had suggested.
While I was at it, I took the cover off and applied contact cleaner to the pots and jacks as well.
Now the amp is as good as new.
Thank you all!

**MarkL** · 12-03-2025, 08:50 PM

Glad to hear it worked out. They are great amps - hope you get many more years of service from yours.

**Campos** · 12-03-2025, 08:59 PM

It’s no wonder Rick once worked for NASA.
I opened the lid and was greeted by a true piece of engineering art.
The build quality, the attention to detail, the components — everything is just beautifully done.
Really impressive work.

**Cunamara** · 12-04-2025, 01:08 AM

Those amps really are jewel-like inside. Mine is not my favorite for guitars with magnetic pickups (although they certainly worked for Pat Martino), but it's wonderful with guitars with piezo pickups.

Other than this specific issue, mine has been perfectly reliable for 15 years.

**Woody Sound** · 12-04-2025, 01:24 AM

It’s amazing how many glitches can be fixed with a simple squirt of that stuff. I even put a spritz on light bulb threads when I put a new one in. They twist in nicely.