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Post by benjo796 on Jan 9, 2014 4:42:54 GMT -5
I recently purchased THREE XPA-1L’s , and these were delivered to me on the 16th. Dec. The three XPA=1l’s were to replace the XPA-5, which I have running my two front main speakers (Bi-Amped) and my centre. and which I have been using for the last three years together with a UPA-1. This setup runs perfectly, I wanted to improve the sound, so after much discussion with Emotiva support, was recommended the XPA-1L for an SQ improvement, hence decide to take the plunge !. I decided to start with replacing the centre first, so I unboxed the first XPA-1L and removed the speaker connections for the centre channel from the XPA-5 and connected them to the 1L, then connected the audio line in , and lastly, removed the IEC mains power cable from the XPA-5 and connected it to the XPA-1L. The mains power cable I use is from Clearer Audio in the UK, rated for 230- 240 V, Aus. power and I have been using this on the XPA-5 for the last three years. The switch setting on the XPA-1L was left as it was out of the box, to A/B Mode. On switching on the XPA-1L, the status indicator changed to blue but within a few seconds there was an EXTREMELY loud noise from my centre speaker, and there was a burning smell with SMOKE coming out of the XPA-1L. I immediately switched all the power of to the unit to try and avoid further damage to my centre speaker which is a very expensive speaker costing me $2900 Aud., the link is here if you are interested - audiotrends.com.au/Subsonic_PC1_Jarrah.html?action=viewProduct&itemId=1535 , it is a 4 ohm speaker. Once the smoke etc. had settled, I disconnected all connections from the XPA-1L and reconnected them back to the XPA-5. There is no signs of any visual damage to my centre speaker, and it seems to sound ok, however I have not fully played it on a 5.1 track. Suffice to say that this was a very scary and an extremely unsettling experience, I have not unboxed the remaining two XPA-1L’s for fear that the result might be the same, and I definitely do not want to cause further damage to my system. I live in Australia, and any issue with amp failures etc. WILL pose a problem for me to get it fixed. due to cost, time and effort required. The total cost for me to import these amps was $2.3K Aud. to Emotiva, and then another $300 Aud. to the Aus. customs, something that I did not mind paying for as given my experience with the XPA-5, I had presumed i would only get robust and reliable equipment from Emotiva, however, this recent experience has shaken that perception I have been following the blogs on the Emotiva Lounge, I was aware that there were initial issues with the XPA-1L, and it is for this reason, that prior to purchasing these amps I emailed Nick Hetzler with a question about their reliability, his response was that these issues had all been fixed and the equipment was working great now, owever, my outcome with the first XPA-1L been just the opposite. On querying when my amp's will delivered , had received another email from Nick Kaumeyer (from the sales side), stating that Emo's engineers are currently testing to the XPA-1L monoblocks to ensure they are up to your standards in performance before they leave the Emo. facility. Once again, my experience with the XPA-1L been just the opposite. Logged a call with Emo support, who were quite sympathetic about my experience, currently lieasing with Joe LaLiberte who is the Service Manager, Joe has stated that he was running a XPA-1L on 230-240 V, to try an replicate the Aus. power conditions, Joe also requested photos of the internals of the faulty XPA-1L, I opened it up and took a ton of them in the hope that something could be found and sent them off the 4th Jan. Asked Joe for an update last night on how things were progressing, no response as yet ................ As you can imagine, this whole experience is quite torturous  ....... while sit and wait for the outcome..... looking at two boxes of XPA-1L,'s still waiting to be unboxed, as I am too nervous to do anything with them. |
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Post by Topend on Jan 9, 2014 5:02:40 GMT -5
I know this must be a huge disappointment for you. Based on what I read here, Emotiva will do everything they can to make it right.
Good luck,
Dave.
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Post by Topend on Jan 9, 2014 5:07:01 GMT -5
Nice speakers. Don't know why I have not come across them before.
Dave.
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Post by wizardofoz on Jan 9, 2014 7:29:14 GMT -5
I've had one xpa-1l with a faulty power supply here in singapore that I repaiered for someone and another heading my way shortly
The first one kept detecting 115vac and blowing a fuse...was a faulty powersupply board. The one coming seems to power off immediately and could be a similar issue or perhaps the front panel board....the owner has yet to receive the parts Emotiva said they would send out.
The blown fuse on the power supply is quite easy to spot, if thats what happened, but sounds like something more happened in your case with smoke and the fact that it was at least making some noise...thee was another issue that involved replacing some resistors to different values, but that was a buzz on powerup then it came good.
Seems there could be more bugs in the xpa-1L's that are surfacing.
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Post by garbulky on Jan 9, 2014 8:40:40 GMT -5
Oh gosh. I am really sorry that your speakers got messed up.  |
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Post by PGT on Jan 9, 2014 9:05:40 GMT -5
just take it to a local repair shop and ask them to put the smoke back in. - Sometimes the terseness of my reply can't be blamed on my phone.  |
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Post by Andrew Robinson on Jan 9, 2014 9:20:26 GMT -5
UPDATE:
Benjo, I spoke to Joe this morning re: your XPA-1L and he is still trying to trouble shoot the issue but will be in touch shortly. Based on our brief conversation this morning there appear to be 2-3 possible causes and an equal number of solutions, but I'll let Joe speak to you directly about all of this. Sit tight, we'll do our best to get you up and running.
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Post by Darksky on Jan 9, 2014 10:48:38 GMT -5
UPDATE: Benjo, I spoke to Joe this morning re: your XPA-1L and he is still trying to trouble shoot the issue but will be in touch shortly. Based on our brief conversation this morning there appears to be 2-3 possible causes and an equal number of solutions, but I'll let Joe speak to you directly about all of this. Sit tight, we'll do our best to get you up and running. Well done. This is why I remain firmly in Emotiva's camp. |
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Post by benjo796 on Jan 10, 2014 3:33:39 GMT -5
Oh gosh. I am really sorry that your speakers got messed up. No...... I managed to switch off the mains power in time, avoided any damage to the speaker.......... It could have been worse ! |
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Post by benjo796 on Jan 10, 2014 3:46:16 GMT -5
UPDATE: Benjo, I spoke to Joe this morning re: your XPA-1L and he is still trying to trouble shoot the issue but will be in touch shortly. Based on our brief conversation this morning there appear to be 2-3 possible causes and an equal number of solutions, but I'll let Joe speak to you directly about all of this. Sit tight, we'll do our best to get you up and running. Thanks Andrew !, I had an email from Joe saying on one of the photos I had supplied, he they had noticed that the body of the resistor has darkened. he is happy to provide a replacement amp., just working out the details with regards to the shipping of the swap over. This seems to be a manufacturing defect, then I am expecting these costs to be borne by Emotiva. Will wait for his response on this. Also - Asked Joe if I could expect anything similar with the other two amps. due to a bad batch etc. ?? I know I am not out of the woods yet, But.. Many thanks, I really appreciate the support being offered by Emotiva to resolve this situation...... full confidence now restored  ! |
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Post by DRB on Jan 11, 2014 13:09:09 GMT -5
If I bought a product and it damaged other products I owned, I would expect the company to reimburse me for the other damaged product and then I would cease to do business with the company that makes the faulty product. Sorry, but Emo doesn't sound like it's got their mfg up to snuff, or maybe partly a design issue? Amps shouldn't have these kinds of problems if they were designed, tested, and mfg properly. I'll spend more for a better designed, tested and made product.
I still fail to realize why people need such high power amps when the speakers they use can't even handle that much power to begin with. 600 watts for a speaker that probably only can handle 100 watts? Plenty of low power Class A amps can drive speakers at high volumes. I remember back in the 70;s where a 75 watt McIntosh amp drove a Klipsh LaScala out ear piercing volume levels. I personally think that people don't need to drive their speakers with so much power, or if they do, get power amps that are designed better.
Sometime is wrong with a power amp smokes upon unboxing it and plugging it in. Oh well.
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Jan 11, 2014 13:25:26 GMT -5
If I bought a product and it damaged other products I owned, I would expect the company to reimburse me for the other damaged product and then I would cease to do business with the company that makes the faulty product. Sorry, but Emo doesn't sound like it's got their mfg up to snuff, or maybe partly a design issue? Amps shouldn't have these kinds of problems if they were designed, tested, and mfg properly. I'll spend more for a better designed, tested and made product. Fact: Electronics do occasionally fail. It's how a company decides to deal with it that matters. If it were a 'design issue' as you state, don't you think that more people would be affected? I still fail to realize why people need such high power amps when the speakers they use can't even handle that much power to begin with. 600 watts for a speaker that probably only can handle 100 watts? Plenty of low power Class A amps can drive speakers at high volumes. I remember back in the 70;s where a 75 watt McIntosh amp drove a Klipsh LaScala out ear piercing volume levels. I personally think that people don't need to drive their speakers with so much power, or if they do, get power amps that are designed better. That's like saying people don't need a car that has more than 80 hp. Most people would agree that more power is a good thing. Sometime is wrong with a power amp smokes upon unboxing it and plugging it in. Oh well. Huh? There are many XPA-1L users out there who are happy with their units. |
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Post by doc1963 on Jan 11, 2014 13:26:07 GMT -5
If I bought a product and it damaged other products I owned, I would expect the company to reimburse me for the other damaged product and then I would cease to do business with the company that makes the faulty product. Sorry, but Emo doesn't sound like it's got their mfg up to snuff, or maybe partly a design issue? Amps shouldn't have these kinds of problems if they were designed, tested, and mfg properly. I'll spend more for a better designed, tested and made product. I still fail to realize why people need such high power amps when the speakers they use can't even handle that much power to begin with. 600 watts for a speaker that probably only can handle 100 watts? Plenty of low power Class A amps can drive speakers at high volumes. I remember back in the 70;s where a 75 watt McIntosh amp drove a Klipsh LaScala out ear piercing volume levels. I personally think that people don't need to drive their speakers with so much power, or if they do, get power amps that are designed better. Sometime is wrong with a power amp smokes upon unboxing it and plugging it in. Oh well. Unfortunately, what you don't see is posts from the multitude of people who buy the same identical product and experience absolutely no problem. Very few of those people (the even fewer who spend time reading or participating in these forums) ever bother to post a "positive" experience. There are no widespread problems (or manufacturing issues) with this amp. Simply a single resistor that failed in this case... In any manufacturing process, you can expect that a certain amount will eventually fail. In the electronics world, that failure can happen rather quickly. Again, nothing unusual here. Emotiva has been one of the best companies that "I" have ever done business with, in this regard, and fully expect that this customer will be taken care of no differently than the rest of us. |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222 
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Post by novisnick on Jan 11, 2014 13:45:05 GMT -5
The only problem I've ever had with the XPA-1L is that I returned them. I will own a pair again for a dedicated 2 channel. Sad there gone but not forgotten!
Peace,
Nick
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Post by Jim on Jan 11, 2014 14:00:29 GMT -5
If I bought a product and it damaged other products I owned, I would expect the company to reimburse me for the other damaged product and then I would cease to do business with the company that makes the faulty product. Sorry, but Emo doesn't sound like it's got their mfg up to snuff, or maybe partly a design issue? Amps shouldn't have these kinds of problems if they were designed, tested, and mfg properly. I'll spend more for a better designed, tested and made product. I still fail to realize why people need such high power amps when the speakers they use can't even handle that much power to begin with. 600 watts for a speaker that probably only can handle 100 watts? Plenty of low power Class A amps can drive speakers at high volumes. I remember back in the 70;s where a 75 watt McIntosh amp drove a Klipsh LaScala out ear piercing volume levels. I personally think that people don't need to drive their speakers with so much power, or if they do, get power amps that are designed better. Sometime is wrong with a power amp smokes upon unboxing it and plugging it in. Oh well. Unfortunately, what you don't see is posts from the multitude of people who buy the same identical product and experience absolutely no problem. Very few of those people (the even fewer who spend time reading or participating in these forums) ever bother to post a "positive" experience. There are no widespread problems (or manufacturing issues) with this amp. Simply a single resistor that failed in this case... In any manufacturing process, you can expect that a certain amount will eventually fail. In the electronics world, that failure can happen rather quickly. Again, nothing unusual here. Emotiva has been one of the best companies that "I" have ever done business with, in this regard, and fully expect that this customer will be taken care of no differently than the rest of us. If you ever want to see a perfect example of a product that people only review when it doesn't work, look up smoke detectors. You won't see the *thousands* (probably tens of) reviews from people where they just work. Kinda funny. If you went by reviews you'd think they're all defective. I'm terrible about reviewing products when they meet or exceed expectations... So I try not to write reviews only for products that I didn't like. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 11, 2014 14:52:06 GMT -5
If your XPA-1L needs a board replaced and you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself then I can help you out. I'm located in Sydney but I freight hardware all over he country so can organise pick up and delivery. PM me and I will send you my phone number if you want to talk.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by bub on Jan 11, 2014 18:39:18 GMT -5
I had a problem with an amp back in Aug..one 5 minute phone call ( Cory ) and I was offered an all expense paid round trip .. I took them up on the offer.. Three weeks later the amp came home.. Fully tanned, well rested. And felt a couple of lbs heavier.. In my room , with my back , and my arms.. ...it's back in one of my systems and runs perfectly on a daily basis.... Those speakers are rated for 50 - 500 watts. ..My amp is pushing 350. That's not overkill..
Hang in there benjo Sorry to hear you are having a problem.... Emotiva service is second to none..They sell good products and stand behind them.....
I think we all wish this was a perfect world..
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Post by benjo796 on Jan 12, 2014 21:32:36 GMT -5
The move from the XPA-5 to the XPA-1L's was after much discussion the Emo. technical & sales staff, and this was mainly around how to improve my sound quality, to achieve this the XPA-1L were recomended by them. Given the initial issues with the 1L's, I also did enquire about their relibility, and was assured (by Emo. staff) that all of these issues were since fixed and thes amp's were now fine, so in this case, I did all the right background checks (MHO), and, as I have never had any issues with the XPA-5, hence...... took the plunge.
I have used a lot of audio equipment in my time and am aware that electrical components can sometimes fail, but generally this happens after they have been in use over a period of time, but, to blow up straight out of the box....no, not really, never had this happen to me, and brand new plugged in and switched on and have extremily Loud noises coming from my speaker and SMOKE coming out of the amp Noooooo.., not acceptiabl at all, add this to the fact that I was advised by Emo. staff that all amps are checked before they are shipped, well.. was this checked ??.
What matters most now is how Emotiva is going to resolve this for me. On discovering the issue with the amp., Joe LaLiberte the technical manager said he could send me a replacement amp the very next day, to which I responded that I was happy to accept this, and queried how was all the shipping costs relating to swap out etc., going to be handled, Joe's response was that this needed to be discussed with the Emo. management So........... obviously no amp will be shipped on the next day !
My position is, this amp clearly had manufactuing defect when it was delivered to me , and this defect also had the full potential to damage my other expensive equipment connected to it, hence needs to be replaced in full - ie. a brand new and fully TESTED amp. delivered to my front door, as really, this is what I paid for.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 12, 2014 22:11:42 GMT -5
Electronic equipment, like most manufactured products, can suffer from what is brutally called "infant mortality", it fails straight out of the box or within a couple of hours of powering it up for the first time. Usually if it survives for a few hours of use then it will perform for its intended life span. With a 5 year warranty it's easy to establish the lengths Emotiva go to engineer their products for a long and useful life.
Without looking at it it's hard to say, but smoke from a power amplifier usually means a failure of a component within the power supply. Which is highly unlikely (but not saying impossible) to affect the audio area an hence connected hardware.
Previous issues that have been remedied are not necessarily going to prevent "infant mortality", even the most reliable of electronics component suppliers doesn't give a 100% guarantee. A failure rate of one in 10 million for a resistor/capacity/transformer is not of much help when you're the one. sh** happens to every manufacturer, it's how they handle it that separates the good ones from the others.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by garbulky on Jan 13, 2014 0:27:24 GMT -5
If I bought a product and it damaged other products I owned, I would expect the company to reimburse me for the other damaged product and then I would cease to do business with the company that makes the faulty product. Sorry, but Emo doesn't sound like it's got their mfg up to snuff, or maybe partly a design issue? Amps shouldn't have these kinds of problems if they were designed, tested, and mfg properly. I'll spend more for a better designed, tested and made product. I still fail to realize why people need such high power amps when the speakers they use can't even handle that much power to begin with. 600 watts for a speaker that probably only can handle 100 watts? Plenty of low power Class A amps can drive speakers at high volumes. I remember back in the 70;s where a 75 watt McIntosh amp drove a Klipsh LaScala out ear piercing volume levels. I personally think that people don't need to drive their speakers with so much power, or if they do, get power amps that are designed better. Sometime is wrong with a power amp smokes upon unboxing it and plugging it in. Oh well. Have you been to other forums about products? Usually all you see are the negative reviews and product failure. Take a look at Emotiva forums and you'll notice the majority is positive about the product. That is HUGE. If somebody is mad, it takes very little to make them complain. If somebody is content, then they don't post as often. In terms of manufacturing quality - you have to make up your own mind on that one. I've made up mine and I find Emotiva's manufacturing quality pretty good. As for driving with more power. The first and biggest thing.... why not? The quality doesn't suffer if it's done right. The speakers don't magically fry just because an amp has more power. It fries if the speaker owner cranks that amp to ear bleeding levels for long periods of time. We drove Spendor Ls3/5a speakers with XPA-2. These are pretty delicate speakers. And the gargantuan XPA-2 weighed about ten times as much. But it drove it with finesse and didn't strain them. |
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....... while sit and wait for the outcome..... looking at two boxes of XPA-1L,'s still waiting to be unboxed, as I am too nervous to do anything with them. 
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