XPA-2 Problems after move?

[chet]

Hello!

I have been the proud owner of an XDA-1, XPA-2 and pair of ERT 8.3s for about 9 months now. I stream my music to the XDA-1 through an Airport Express and my MacBook Pro. I think the quality and ease of use of this setup are exemplary.

Recently, I moved across the country - midwest to back home in the north east. I packed my prized possessions in original packaging, and drove the uHaul as carefully as the roads permit.

After unboxing, and reconnecting the XDA, XPA-2 and speakers, without the Airport Express, everything looked fine. The amp powered on normally - with all the red level indicators coming on, and going off. Except, when I plugged my Macbook directly to the XDA-1, the level indicators don't come on! Not even one! The music sounds weak, almost like it isn't being powered by much.

I can't test it like the original setup (macbook -> airport express -> xda-1 -> xpa-2 -> ERT 8.3), as I don't have cable and internet as yet.

I hope I am doing something obviously stupid, and all it takes is flicking a switch, or something to do with the source I am using (macbook vs. airport express).

Any suggestions on trouble shooting? Thanks!

--C

[geebo]

Just make sure the bal/unbal switches are set correctly and completely and try another source first. And don't rule out a bad connecting cable, either.

[garbulky]

Are you using a power conditioner on any of your components? If so try plugging them in to the wall. Also is there any kind of dynamic range control (or night time listening) mode engaged. If so turn them off. Also whatever your source is if there is avolume control on it like a speaker icon turn it all the way up. If you are using software hunt around for a volume control icon and turn it up.

[chet]

Hey!

Thanks for the quick replies.

The bal/unbal switches are correctly set. I need to try another source as yet.

I am using my Mac, and all the volume controls are set to maximum.

I will try another source, and hopefully come back victorious!

Thanks,
Chet

[chet]

:-(

No luck. I tried a couple of different sources, checked the wires, and the switches.

The power seems considerably lower, almost like something is holding this beast of an amplifier back. And, the indicator LEDs don't dance to the music as they should. Not even one.

Any suggestions? I sent tech support at Emotiva an email. Hopefully they will get back to me quickly!

-C

[jjmatrix]

How are you connecting the MAC? I assume you had the Airport via USB.
Grab some cheapo ($1) interconnects and try; do the same for the speakers. Alternatively, use a voltmeter to check the cables for a short.

To try find the culprit:
1. Make sure the signal coming out of the Mac is OK; also, either use another source (as suggested) or plug a pair of earphones and see.

2. If possible, try another preamp, DAC. You can also try plugging the Mac directly into the amp via a 3.5mm/RCA cable.
NOTE: be VERY careful with the volume!

The fact that the meters don't react makes me think there is an issue on the chain before the amp which doesn't get enough "juice".

Keep us posted and good luck.

[bootman]

It has to be your macbook's output.
I assume you never hooked it up this way before the move?

[chet]

Bootman, you are right. I've never connected my Mac directly to the XDA-1 before. I am currently connecting it with the same optical cable I used with the Airport Express. Under the Settings in my Mac, I have changed the output to Digital Out.

JJmatrix, I used the digital out of the airport express. When I connect the Mac, I get music from the speakers - only it doesn't sound full and rich as it used to. When I connect the Mac directly to the XPA-2, I will keep the volume on my Mac at close to zero! Thanks for the heads up - I surely would have forgotten about this!

Will keep you posted!

-Chet

[reaper60]

Sounds like the voltage from your pre-amp is too low going to the amp. Any chance you have the wrong input selected on the pre and you are only hearing the amplified cross-talk? If I have 1 source playing on my integrated tube amp and I select a different source (one not being used) I get a very faint sound from the cross talk of what's on the channel that is getting input. This is my guess.

[AudioHTIT]

May 4, 2013 10:51:20 GMT -5 chet said:

Bootman, you are right. I've never connected my Mac directly to the XDA-1 before. I am currently connecting it with the same optical cable I used with the Airport Express. Under the Settings in my Mac, I have changed the output to Digital Out.

-Chet

It's been a while since I first connected my iMac to the XDA-1/2 but I don't think I changed the output setting. If I disconnect the fibre cable from the headphone jack the internal speakers play. My iMac can also output wirelessly to Apple TV (similarly to your AE). Have you tried changing the setting back to the default? (Like 'computer' or internal speaker). I'll try to look at mine when I get back home.

[AudioHTIT]

May 4, 2013 11:09:24 GMT -5 reaper60 said:

Sounds like the voltage from your pre-amp is too low going to the amp. Any chance you have the wrong input selected on the pre and you are only hearing the amplified cross-talk? If I have 1 source playing on my integrated tube amp and I select a different source (one not being used) I get a very faint sound from the cross talk of what's on the channel that is getting input. This is my guess.

I don't think he has a preamp, it sounds like the XDA-1 directly to the XPAs. He could have the wrong input selected on the XDA as you suggest, worth checking, I assumed the same input as he was using with the AE which would be correct.

[bootman]

May 4, 2013 10:51:20 GMT -5 chet said:

Bootman, you are right. I've never connected my Mac directly to the XDA-1 before. I am currently connecting it with the same optical cable I used with the Airport Express. Under the Settings in my Mac, I have changed the output to Digital Out.

JJmatrix, I used the digital out of the airport express. When I connect the Mac, I get music from the speakers - only it doesn't sound full and rich as it used to. When I connect the Mac directly to the XPA-2, I will keep the volume on my Mac at close to zero! Thanks for the heads up - I surely would have forgotten about this!

Will keep you posted!

-Chet

If you do connect the macbook directly to the amp, don't forget to set the output back to analog.
Do not feed digital directly to the amp!

BTW you can use the airport express without a house internet connection to get sound like you did before.
The macbook will still transmit music wireless to the airport express just not connect to the outside world.

[chet]

Ah! I was not aware of being able to transmit directly to an Airport Express without a home wifi setup. I will give that a try.

And you're right, I use the XDA-1 as the pre-amp. It could be a connector issue - that is, I have plugged it into OPT1 but am using OPT2, but I think it's unlikely. It is loud, but not as powerful as it used to be. It seems too low for crosstalk.

Thanks much for the great suggestions. I will post back when I give these a try.

[chet]

So, I have now got the internet back, and setup to my original setup - macbook -> airport express -> xda-1 -> xpa-2 -> ERT 8.3. But, no cigar. The amplification sounds weak. The led indicators are not moving with the output.

Not sure what to do.

I sent Emotiva a message 5 days ago, but no response from them. Slightly disappointed.

[LCSeminole]

I'm pretty sure that some of the Emotiva crew are attending the Munich High End Show that begins May 9, so maybe they are a bit short handed. You should give them a call and talk with a tech.

[jjmatrix]

All right... so you've got the airport and DAC out of the equation and no change. I would suggest as a next step, try a different source if possible; a smartphone comes to mind as you can plug into the amp directly. Also, a DVD player can be used if has optical out.

[chet]

Hey!

Thanks for the suggestions - I tried all of them to no avail. Here is all that I have tried:
1) Original setup - Airport Express to XDA-1 to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Sounds weak and barely sings like it used to. LED meters don't work.
2) MacBook Pro to XDA-1 to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Same result. So, by elimination - it is either both Airport Express and MacBook Pro, or neither. If neither - it is either XDA-1, XPA-2 or ERT 8.3 or a combination.
3) iPhone to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Same result. No LEDs, and a weak sound. I had the volume up to 60%, and it was barely loud. By elimination, it is either all (XDA-1, AE, Macbook, and iPhone) or none. If none, it must be either the XPA-2 or ERT 8.3.

I am a novice with these things, but I am going to assume that if the problem is with the ERT 8.3, then there is no reason for the LEDs to not work.

Is there any way I can check the XPA-2 without specialized equipment? I have a couple of screw drivers, and not much else.

Thanks,
C

[Gary Cook]

Have you tried headphones plugged into the XDA-1?
That will tell you if the XDA-1 is processing a signal. I'd test sources from both the Mac and the Express.

Cheers
Gary

[geebo]

May 13, 2013 21:55:56 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Have you tried headphones plugged into the XDA-1?
That will tell you if the XDA-1 is processing a signal. I'd test sources from both the Mac and the Express.

Cheers
Gary

Not a bad idea except for one thing. No headphone jack on the XDA-1... ;D

[garbulky]

May 13, 2013 21:20:05 GMT -5 chet said:

Hey!

Thanks for the suggestions - I tried all of them to no avail. Here is all that I have tried:
1) Original setup - Airport Express to XDA-1 to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Sounds weak and barely sings like it used to. LED meters don't work.
2) MacBook Pro to XDA-1 to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Same result. So, by elimination - it is either both Airport Express and MacBook Pro, or neither. If neither - it is either XDA-1, XPA-2 or ERT 8.3 or a combination.
3) iPhone to XPA-2 to ERT 8.3. Same result. No LEDs, and a weak sound. I had the volume up to 60%, and it was barely loud. By elimination, it is either all (XDA-1, AE, Macbook, and iPhone) or none. If none, it must be either the XPA-2 or ERT 8.3.

I am a novice with these things, but I am going to assume that if the problem is with the ERT 8.3, then there is no reason for the LEDs to not work.

Is there any way I can check the XPA-2 without specialized equipment? I have a couple of screw drivers, and not much else.

Thanks,
C

Check to make sure your selector switch for the XDA-1 is set to the correct type of input (unbalanced or xlr). Also try changing out the RCA cable.