"Clack's" noise from XPA-1

[themask]

Hi,

I'm new in this forum, this is my first post here.
I've bought a pair of XPA-1s two months ago and they sound very well with my Triangle Magellan Cello speakers ;-)
Since 2 or 3 weeks, I started to hear a "clack" noise , exactly the same "clack" when you turn them on, when the amps are ON or Stand by ! Only one of the amps is making this noise and the noise is not from my speaker.
I hear this "clack" approximately every 10-15 minutes, even when the amps are in "Stand by" mod (with the power button lighted in yellow). This "clack" noise can occurs just few minutes after powering on the amps, even when they are not feed by any signal, so I don't think it's heat issue as it happens just after turning on the amps. (power button from yellow to blue). The chassis is really cold when I check.

I don't know what it could be, sent an email to the Support team but have been asked to record a video of the noise and send it.

Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

[paintedklown]

This is a common thing with the XPA-1 amplifiers. Oddy, my pair didn't do it at all, then I moved and they started cracking all the time. Now that I have been here for a while, they still do it, but not as often.

I think it has something to do with the heatsinks contracting/expanding, and IIRC there is a fix that involved popping the top off and tightening (or loosening) some screw(s), and applying some compound (maybe) to the under side of some component....or somthing like that...sorry, I don't remmebr the deatils of what it was, as I didn't think it was worth the trouble to attempt it.


Either way, it's nothing to be concerned about as it is not an indication that anything is failing.

Hope that helps.

[garbulky]

It could be the heat sink issue where it makes a noise. Some XPA-1 amps have this problem. If you are within your return period you could return it if you want.

[novisnick]

Jul 24, 2013 8:42:09 GMT -5 themask said:

Hi,

I'm new in this forum, this is my first post here.
I've bought a pair of XPA-1s two months ago and they sound very well with my Triangle Magellan Cello speakers ;-)
Since 2 or 3 weeks, I started to hear a "clack" noise , exactly the same "clack" when you turn them on, when the amps are ON or Stand by ! Only one of the amps is making this noise and the noise is not from my speaker.
I hear this "clack" approximately every 10-15 minutes, even when the amps are in "Stand by" mod (with the power button lighted in yellow). This "clack" noise can occurs just few minutes after powering on the amps, even when they are not feed by any signal, so I don't think it's heat issue as it happens just after turning on the amps. (power button from yellow to blue). The chassis is really cold when I check.

I don't know what it could be, sent an email to the Support team but have been asked to record a video of the noise and send it.

Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

Let us know what the tech says, Im looking at purchasing a pair soon, Thanks

[wizardofoz]

Just undo the screws on the heatsinks under the chassis...no need to open up the case. You can leave the centre one tight maybe, only need to un nip them a 1/2 turn and see how that goes...the dont need to be undone much. You will find they 'tick' after power off too.

[paintedklown]

Jul 24, 2013 9:47:24 GMT -5 wizardofoz said:

Just undo the screws on the heatsinks under the chassis...no need to open up the case. You can leave the centre one tight maybe, only need to un nip them a 1/2 turn and see how that goes...the dont need to be undone much. You will find they 'tick' after power off too.

Is that really all there is to it? LOL! And here I thought it was a longer, more complicated process.

Since it really is that easy, I wonder if mine have simply worked loose (or something) during the packing, move to storgae, sitting for about a year, then moved again, unpacked and set up again. I may try to tackle this, if that's all there is to it.

Any chance of accidentally messing something up?

[wizardofoz]

It would help if someone has an xpa-1 they can take a picture of the base so we can identify the screws in question. Mine are installed so not so easy to mess with right now.

[TUGA Audiophile]

Jul 24, 2013 8:42:09 GMT -5 themask said:

Hi,

I'm new in this forum, this is my first post here.
I've bought a pair of XPA-1s two months ago and they sound very well with my Triangle Magellan Cello speakers ;-)
Since 2 or 3 weeks, I started to hear a "clack" noise , exactly the same "clack" when you turn them on, when the amps are ON or Stand by ! Only one of the amps is making this noise and the noise is not from my speaker.
I hear this "clack" approximately every 10-15 minutes, even when the amps are in "Stand by" mod (with the power button lighted in yellow). This "clack" noise can occurs just few minutes after powering on the amps, even when they are not feed by any signal, so I don't think it's heat issue as it happens just after turning on the amps. (power button from yellow to blue). The chassis is really cold when I check.

I don't know what it could be, sent an email to the Support team but have been asked to record a video of the noise and send it.

Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance.

Hello,
My 5 XPA-1 are perfect and no make any noise.
But i know exactly what you talkin, this noise for my ears is a problem...
- Contact staff EMOTIVA.

[deltadube]

my xpa 1s make no noise knock on wood... dont know how a heat sink click would sound like a power up clank..

my amp was winking at me last night tho.. Lonnie did it..

cheers

[themask]

Jul 24, 2013 10:16:34 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Jul 24, 2013 9:47:24 GMT -5 wizardofoz said:

Just undo the screws on the heatsinks under the chassis...no need to open up the case. You can leave the centre one tight maybe, only need to un nip them a 1/2 turn and see how that goes...the dont need to be undone much. You will find they 'tick' after power off too.

Is that really all there is to it? LOL! And here I thought it was a longer, more complicated process.

Since it really is that easy, I wonder if mine have simply worked loose (or something) during the packing, move to storgae, sitting for about a year, then moved again, unpacked and set up again. I may try to tackle this, if that's all there is to it.

Any chance of accidentally messing something up?




I have tried this, undo the screews as advised, but the 3Clacks" noises are still there! Even on Stand by mod!!! I can even hear this from another room so guess how I feel when I'm just sitting in the room for listening music !
I can't just live with it, every 1n-15 min!!!
Any other idea?

Regards

Themask

[tubby]

Either my XPA-2 or XPA-5 do it. They are stacked and I have not bothered to figure out shich one. Only happens in the winter when room temp in the basement is 69F or below. Probably why some experience it and some don't.

[audiofile]

Thanks for the input, gents. I'll dig a bit into the manual for the sub as well. I've got it unplugged as this point and there are no "clacks" at all. Maybe I just need to dial up, down or adjust input settings as it may be in auto mode, going on and off depending on signal strength.

[mhm2526]

Hi, all! I have had two XPA-1s for a couple of months and have just joined the clack club. Symptoms sound the same as described by the OP: every 10-20" or so I hear the sound coming from my right amp only. Sounds similar to the timing-in clack at turn on and occurs whether the system is on or in standby mode. Does not interupt the signal nor is it heard through the speaker. Just upgraded to an XSP-1 and would be interested in hearing what preamps others are using in order to rule that out (although I would think that if the problem was with the XSP it would be heard through the speaker. I don't recall hearing it with my USP-1). Interesting that my system is also in my basement which stays relatively cool. I run the system exclusively in Class A and the amps do warm up a bit when operating but nothing excessive. Since the sound occurs even when the system is in standby I don't understand how the sound could eminate from the heat sinks as the amps do not seem warm when in standby. Speakers are Maggie 1.7s with no sub. Please let us know what the Techies say.

[bluemeanies]

Gentleman I have had the same issue with both of my XPA1 gen2 amplifiers that are not even a year old. I really had not noticed the "clicking" sound coming from the amp until the change in weather. My HT and listening room are in a dedicated area in the house. Specifically the basement which was converted into a HT room or man cave. Take your pick.
I just got off the phone with Damon at Emotiva and his response was that this is a heat sink issue which can be resolved by turning the screws on the bottom of the XPA1's chassis. An 1/8 of a turn on each screw should be sufficent.
While Damon did send me a picture via e-mail there also was a Privacy notice that I should not repost said picture.

However I can state the there are a series of five screws located underneath the chassis. The screws are located by the front and rear feet of the XPA1 for a total of ten screws.
I hope this description lends a helping hand to fellow forum members that have this issue.

[geebo]

Dec 5, 2014 11:04:41 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

Gentleman I have had the same issue with both of my XPA1 gen2 amplifiers that are not even a year old. I really had not noticed the "clicking" sound coming from the amp until the change in weather. My HT and listening room are in a dedicated area in the house. Specifically the basement which was converted into a HT room or man cave. Take your pick.
I just got off the phone with Damon at Emotiva and his response was that this is a heat sink issue which can be resolved by turning the screws on the bottom of the XPA1's chassis. An 1/8 of a turn on each screw should be sufficent.
While Damon did send me a picture via e-mail there also was a Privacy notice that I should not repost said picture.

However I can state the there are a series of five screws located underneath the chassis. The screws are located by the front and rear feet of the XPA1 for a total of ten screws.
I hope this description lends a helping hand to fellow forum members that have this issue.

Is that 1/8 turn tighter or looser?

[bluemeanies]

Looser

[audiofile]

Anybody know which screws are which on the underside? My left channel XPA-1 has started clacking faster and louder than a flamenco dancer's castanets.

[bluemeanies]

Dec 5, 2014 14:39:45 GMT -5 audiofile said:

Anybody know which screws are which on the underside? My left channel XPA-1 has started clacking faster and louder than a flamenco dancer's castanets.

audiofile...turn the amplifier on its side. Take notice of the rubber feet on both front and rear of amplifier. There are 3 screws in between the feet on both front and rear of the amp. Then there is a single screw on each side of the feet.
This apples to both front and rear feet.

That is the best I can explain short of a picture.

Good luck

[audiofile]

OK...so which of the screws are to be backed off?

[bluemeanies]

All 10 screws as described in the above post.
5 screws by the front feet and five screws by the rear feet.

Three of the screws are between both pairs of feet. The remaining screws are located on the other side of the feet, one on each side both front and rear.