KRONOS Fan Information

[Francois]

Is the fan inaudible to you from a regular playing position?

Just about. So faint, you really have to pay attention to hear it. Frankly, more than adequate as far as I'm concerned. And a big difference when compared with the factory setup.

The pins, I cannot remember, but they are more or less all the same, soft rubber or silicon and arrowhead shape. A bit difficult to fit, but the trick is to pull gently with a left to right movement. Then it will work without having to widen the existing holes.

The gasket was a bit more tricky considering the scarcity of models in the 60mm range. In the end, I settled on the Vantec VDK-60. The pack contains two gaskets. I liked it better as it has a wrap-around shape which means it stays on the fan quite easily when you fit everything together.



And don't forget the cable extension as none of the replacement fans I saw had a cable that was long enough to reach the motherboard plug.

Also, the fan is fitted with only three pins. For some reason, the top left hole is not used. Not sure why, but the service manual also shows three pins, so I followed these instructions and used just 3 pins.

[davidnaggar]

Thanks Francois. I truly appreciate your detailed answer. I think this solution will work for me.

David

[curvebender]

On the Oasys forum, someone managed to get into the BIOS to check temperature values:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 8dcad0a8ab

Could this be done on the Kronos?..

[Qtipcore]

Finally gave in, and ordered the NoiseBlocker XR2 - Will report back how it works.

The noise from my K88 is really loud at this point.

EDIT: Just installed the XR2 with the standard rubber mounts that came with it (all 4). I also put a small gasket between the SSD cage and the frame above the screen.

This is much more tolerable:-)

[NJkeysman888]

I received a Kronos 61 shipped from a Music Store in lower NY State last Thursday. I had been there a few weeks earlier and played the display unit for a couple of hours or more.
As soon as my Kronos booted up the fan noise was noticable. I played on it for the better part of the day Friday but it was definitely there and had that sound as if something was hitting or such. Even the wife heard it when I asked if she noticed anything unusual.

Store said to bring it in and they will exchagne it for one I can open and play at the store as long as I want, to ensure it is quiet. Worse case scenario I can take the display unit which was definitely quiet.

To those who are installing new/different fans: Is it because the fan noise is not considered a defect? Or just too much trouble to return it (mail order)? Will that affect the warranty?

[curvebender]

As soon as my Kronos booted up the fan noise was noticable. I played on it for the better part of the day Friday but it was definitely there and had that sound as if something was hitting or such.

What serial number does your 61 have?

[NJkeysman888]

Just exchanged my Kronos 61 with the noisy fan for one with a quiet fan. As I noted above, I noticed the fan noise immediately. It was S/N 6359. Called the store the next day and sent an email. They said bring it in and they were holding another one for me.

Picked up my new one today, serial # in the low 7000 range and it's quiet enough that I had to have my ear touching the keyboard surface to hear it. Perfect!

I'm glad I understood the issue from the forum so I could recognize it right away. Dealer said my first one is headed back to Korg.

Gene

[curvebender]

My first Kronos was a 61, serial in the 700 range, if I remember correctly. Fan sounded like a tractor. I exchanged it for a 73, serial also in the 700 range. Less noise, but still too audible. Exchanged the metal screws of the fan for silicon ones, big improvement.

Now I've sold my 73 (due to rearrangement of my studio), and again I have a 61, serial 57XX.

Haven't un-boxed it yet, it's gonna be interesting to see if something has been improved at the factory.

If not, I have my Noise Blocker XR2 ready to go.

[NJkeysman888]

Well my new silent Kronos 61 lasted just shy of 2 days. Now the silent fan is slient no more. It now sounds just like my first one. I guess on some of them it takes a while for the fan noise to rev up.

So much for exchanging it. Their demo one doesn't make noise. I wonder if it's worth taking that one.

G

[Francois]

None of the stock unit will have a fan as silent as the Noise Blocker. Either you live with the noise of the factory model or you change the fan. There is no other solution.

[BobTheDog]

Hi Guys,

I just got my replacement 88, the first had a noisy fan.

This one has a even noisier fan

I measured above the value slider, 32.2 db when Kronos off, 35.7 db at turn on then 40.6 half way through boot, it then stays at this figure.

This is the third 88 that the dealer has sent me so I am now going to deal with Korg and give the dealer a break, is the basic idea to but one of these noise blocker fans and send it off with the keyboard to korg and then korg will use this to fix it, or can korg fix it without me providing the fan?

Thanks

Andy

[Niblit]

I could be very wrong about this, but...

If the fan blows air across the SSD, then would it be possible to get longer connector leads for the SSD and have it outside the unit and then do away with that noisy little blower?

I'm keeping my Kronos at home, I don't gig it or move it anywhere, so having a little SSD on my desk is no problem. Just wondering if this would be possible.

[curvebender]

I believe that the fans has two purposes:

1. Blow cool air across the SDD and beneath the screen.

2. Suck hot air from the motherboard and distribute it across the rest of the board.

[curvebender]

Francois,

What version of the Kronos do you have? 61, 73 or 88?

Thanks.

[Francois]

73, but that shouldn't make any difference. Fitting might be a bit trickier with a 61, but the end result is the same.